Heirloom Christmas Ornaments: Hand Painted to Keep for Years

Heirloom Christmas ornaments are the ones you look forward to unwrapping every December. The ones you remember picking out, the ones someone gave you and, eventually, the ones your kids fight over when they’re grown.

I love a tree that tells a little story about the people who decorate it, collected over the years with ornaments that mean something. That’s a big part of why I paint these. Each one is a ceramic ornament I paint by hand in my South Florida studio, full of loose florals, soft pastels and plenty of happy color, and each one belongs to a collection year. Every ornament here is an original, so the one you choose is the only one like it.

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What Makes an Ornament an Heirloom?

I have such regrets I didn’t keep tons of handmade sequin ones my grandmother had. I remember it feeling like each one was a gift you opened each year wrapped in tissue. Each one was unique and you never knew what was coming next. I was not sentimental about things then and I regret so much passing on certain things. The ornaments are one of those things.

There’s something special about ornaments that pile up over the years. You open the box and suddenly you’re remembering where you lived when you bought one, who gave you another and how little the kids were that Christmas. And sometimes it’s simply an ornament you love, which is reason enough.

Handmade ornaments carry a little extra personality. You can see the brushstrokes and the small variations that make each one its own. The collection year is a sweet bonus, too, so years from now you’ll know exactly when it joined your tree.

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My Pastel Heirloom Ornaments

Blush pinks, soft mint, pale blue and flowers painted loosely right across the ceramic. These are especially sweet if you love that collected, grandmillennial look. Picture them on a flocked tree between vintage glass balls and velvet ribbon. And there’s no rule that Christmas has to be red and green.

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My Colorful Heirloom Ornaments

And then there are the ones that don’t whisper. I can only stay in pastel territory for so long before I reach for the brights: hot pinks, cheerful reds, gold grounds and rosy dahlias on deep green. They hold their own on a colorful tree and mix right in with ornaments you’ve collected for years.

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A Hand Painted Nutcracker, Too

Every heirloom collection needs a little guard. I paint nutcrackers too, and Nutcracker 1, covered in florals, is the last one from my 2024 batch.

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How to Start an Heirloom Ornament Tradition

• Add one a year. One special ornament every December adds up to a tree full of memories.
• Give one to each child. By the time they move out, they have a little collection to take with them.
• Write on the box. The year and where it came from. Future you will thank you.
• Mark the big moments. A new home, a wedding, a baby’s first Christmas.

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How to Care for Hand Painted Ceramic Ornaments

• Hang them a little deeper in the branches, where they won’t get bumped.
• The caps are sturdy, so handle them by the cap and the paint stays pristine.
• Dust gently with a soft dry brush. No water or cleaners.
• Wrap each one on its own and store them in a sturdy box somewhere that doesn’t get too hot.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Heirloom Ornaments

What is an heirloom Christmas ornament?

It’s an ornament made to be kept and passed down, usually handmade and one of a kind.

Are your ornaments really hand painted?

Yes. I paint every one myself in my studio, so no two are the same.

Do hand painted ornaments make good gifts?

Some of the best. A one of a kind ornament is personal, easy to ship and something people keep for years.

How do I keep heirloom ornaments safe?

Wrap each one separately, store them in a sturdy box away from heat and handle them by the cap.

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For something a little more playful, my hand painted star ornaments have a pom pom on every point.

Take a look through all my hand painted ornaments and see if one feels like yours. I’d be delighted to know one of my little paintings is hanging on your tree.