BBQ Ornament Grillin’ Is The Flippin’ Best
“Christmas ornaments are more than just festive decorations; they hold special memories and traditions, and the magic of the holiday season. Whether you’re decorating your tree, gifting a personalized ornament, or starting a new holiday tradition, a meaningful quote can add even more warmth to the occasion,” states www.thelittleornamentshop.com
The Little Ornament Shop revels in the joy that Christmas ornaments bring to this merrymaking season; that is why they have lovingly shared a collection of sentimental, heartwarming, fun and celebratory quotes for your pleasure…perfect for gift tags, inscriptions, engravings, or simply to add some extra Yuletide CHEER to your BBQ Christmas Décor! The following quotes capture the nostalgia and emotion behind decorating the Christmas tree each year:
–“Ornaments are memories we hang on the tree.”
–“The best ornaments on the tree are the ones filled with love and memories.”
–“A Christmas tree is a memory tree, decorated with love through the years.”
–“Some ornaments may sparkle, but the ones with the best stories shine the brightest.”
–“Christmas ornaments hold the magic of holidays past and the hope of holidays yet to come.”
–“The best family traditions start with a tree full of love.”
–“Christmas memories are made one ornament at a time.”
–“Some ornaments are new, some are old, but all are priceless.”
–“Christmas isn’t about what’s under the tree, but who’s gathered around it.”
EVERY ORNAMENT TELLS A STORY…WHAT’S YOURS? BBQ Ornaments are a modern, novelty offshoot of the broader Christmas ornament tradition. The history of Christmas ornaments dates back to 16th century Germany; the history is not “a linear progression, but rather the application of an age-old craft to a popular American cultural pastime.” The general history of
the Christmas ornament began in Germany, where evergreen trees were decorated with natural items to spark and enhance jollity and gaiety during the Advent season. Items such as apples, nuts, pears, candles, dried florals, and paper roses were initially utilized. Glass ornaments originated in Lauscha, Germany in the 1800s. The glass ornaments were often figural and crafted using mouth-blown glass techniques. This was the basis that established the tradition of creating ornaments that reflect personal interests and contemporary culture. “The Peterkins’ Christmas Tree,” a story by Lucretia P. Hale, from the 19th century classic collection, “The Peterkin Papers,” offers a short catalog of the sorts of ornaments used in the 1870s:
—-“There was every kind of gilt hanging-thing, from gilt pea-pods to butterflies on springs. There were shining flags and lanterns, and bird-cages, and nets with birds sitting on them, baskets of fruit, gilt apples, and bunches of grapes.”
BBQ has a rich, independent, layered history that predates the history of ornaments! Originating with the Taino Indians in the Caribbean, BBQ was brought to the Americas by European explorers. BBQ evolved into a major American Culinary tradition, becoming a staple of suburban life after the invention of the modern charcoal grill in the 1950s. The emergence of BBQ Holiday ornaments as a specific, widespread category is rooted in the 20th and 21st centuries. Driven by the ever-growing popularity of barbeque culture and the desire for personalized holiday décor, BBQ ornaments soon found their niche and quickly took center stage!
Companies such as “Old World Christmas,” and “Hallmark,” recognized the emerging and dominant cultural passion for grilling. These companies, among others, began producing dedicated BBQ-Themed ornaments to allow BBQ enthusiasts, chefs, cooks, and Pit Masters to express their devotion to their BBQ, Grilling, and Smoking Lifestyles and Craft during the holidays! The traditional BBQ ornaments themselves are created using the same centuries-old European glass-blowing and hand-painting techniques. Molten glass is mouth-blown into specialized molds, and then hand-painted, glittered, and coated. Modern day BBQ ornaments are made with varying materials such as resin, 4-D Printed Plastics, styrene, metal, clay, and of course, wood. The range and variety of BBQ designs vastly expanded to include ornament specific and highly specialized categories of BBQ items such as:
–Classic Charcoal and Propane Grills
–Sizzling Steaks and Ribs
–BBQ Americana and Patriotic Symbols
–BBQ Sauce Bottles and Other Condiments
–Renditions of “Pit Master” and “BBQ Boss” Aprons
–BBQ Grilling Tools
–Miniature Smokers
–BBQ Trophies
–Regional Variations Emphasizing BBQ Specialties
–BBQ Jamborees
–BBQ Feasts, Foods, and Fare
–BBQ-ing, Grilling, and Smoking Santa Figures…just to name a SMALL SMATTERING of ornament options!
An absolutely delightful agglomeration and assemblage of BBQ ornaments may also be found at:
www.amazon.com
www.etst.com
www.goduckee.com
www.oldworldchristmas.com
www.personalizationmall.com
www.ddrbbqsupply.com
www.zazzle.com
In essence, the history of the BBQ ornament is the story of a beloved passion rendered to decorate, celebrate, imitate with fondness, and capture the joie-de-vivre of The Barbeque Culture! There is such a TREMENDOUS selection of BBQ ornaments available online that I found the task of choosing my favorites quite daunting! BBQ ornaments come in an array of assortments: Modern, Old-Fashioned, Themed, Silly-Quirky-Humorous, Complimentary, Foodie Categories, and a veritable PLETHORA of Miscellany! www.stnicks.com declares, “The Barbecue Industry Association notes that Americans cook over the coals more than 2.9 BILLION times a year. Chefs are experimenting with a variety of foods and woods and eagerly firing up their grills regardless of the weather or season!” St. Nick’s Christmas and Collectibles has the following categories from which to choose your BBQ ornament: Collectibles and Traditions, Food and Drinks, Fun Foods, Kitchen, Old World Christmas, BBQ Glass Blown Ornaments, Grill Master Gift, Old School BBQ, etc. etc.! The Glass-Blown “Classic Charcoal BBQ Ornament Old World Christmas,” is priced at $21.99; The “Barbecue Ornament Old World Christmas” The Glass-Blown ornaments is priced at $24.99; The “BBQ Guy with Grill Ornament,” is available for personalization and features “a King of the charcoal grill flipping burgers with cheese- a unique gift for a chef, BBQ chef, or anyone who loves the grill! A cooler of drinks sits at the ready by his side. Personalize for a unique gift- Personalize for free!” retailing for $10.95.
www.hallmark.com has a “Santa’s BBQ Grill Ornament,” described as such; “Steaks, chops, burgers, or good old hot dogs—whatever Santa is grilling up is sure to be a hit! Honor your family’s BBQ Boss with this festive backyard BBQ grill Christmas tree ornament that looks like it came straight from Santa’s patio!” retailing for $14.99.
www.hookedonhallmark.com has a 2016 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament of “Texas BBQ,” and says, “Fans of Texas BBQ will love this cute Longhorn-shaped grill ornament, painted to look like the Texas State flag. Hang this from your Christmas tree to show pride in The Lone Star State and delicious smoked meats!” selling for $28.95. Additionally, the website has a 2015 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament of “Smokin’ Good Times,” stating, “Artist- Crafted Christmas Tree Ornament –Enjoy some Smokin’ Good Times and great BBQ with this grill ornament shaped like the bull himself, featuring the Tomco Logo,” selling for $36.95.
www.texasmonthly.com has “19 Barbecue-Themed Ornaments for Trimming Your Christmas Tree,” encouraging all BBQ Enthusiasts to “Show off your obsession for smoked meat and its accoutrements during the holiday season with cute, curated décor.”
www.williams-sonoma.com carries a “BBQ Party Ornament,” summarizing the description as; “Delight outdoor chefs this holiday season. This mouth-blown glass ornament is crafted by artisans who INDIVIDUALLY PAINT EACH PIECE for exceptional detail. The BBQ Party ornament
includes a ballpark hot dog in a candy cane-striped tray and a tiny grill complete with a thick-cut steak, vegetable skewer, and condiments,” regularly priced at $32.95, and on sale now for $25.99.
The proliferation of BBQ Themed ornaments specifically coincides with the rise of backyard grilling in the American culture. BBQ-ing, Grilling, and Smoking foodstuffs outdoors at home gained immense popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, driven by post-war prosperity, the growth of suburbia, and innovations in the field of BBQ equipment such as the Weber Kettle Grill. These factors all aided in making the backyard cookout and BBQ cuisine an American staple. As BBQ itself became a cultural ICON and a popular hobby for so many families, companies began to commercialize the theme of BBQ in various ways- including home décor and holiday items. In the late 20th and 21st centuries, the market for Christmas ornaments expanded significantly to include items representing specialized hobbies, jobs, interests, and passions! Allowing people to personalize their holiday décor was a brilliant marketing strategy that was expertly executed and then elaborated upon and directly segued into the BBQ Community. The once-niche interest in BBQ ornaments piqued and organically became a natural fit for grill enthusiasts and Pit Masters to serve as a tribute to “countless meals and warm gatherings enjoyed in the glow of a grill and a campfire, bringing the spirit of the backyard cookout into holiday celebrations!”
