People Are Putting Spider Ornaments on Their Christmas Trees
Taysha Murtaugh
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Spiders might seem like a symbol specific to Halloween, but the eight-legged creatures actually play an important part in another holiday. When we recently reported on the history of the pickle ornament, some readers shared that they also practice the tradition of the Christmas spider.
Another folk tale from Europe, this one has been attributed to various countries, most often Ukraine and Germany. In one version of the Christmas spider story, a widowed mother and her children were too poor to decorate their Christmas tree, so friendly spiders spun elaborate webs on the evergreen. When the family awoke on Christmas morning, they opened the curtains and the sunshine hit the webs, turning them silver and gold (sometimes said to be the origin of tinsel). The family had good fortune from then on. Other iterations claim it was Santa Claus or Jesus himself who transformed the webs so that they wouldn't upset the mother.
It's likely the legend is linked to the idea that spiders are lucky. Whatever the real reason, several sources including the Evening Standard report that Ukrainians decorate their Christmas trees with spider-shaped ornaments (often made of beautiful beads) to this day. Shop these striking spider ornaments to start the tradition in your own home this year.
2) Christmas Spider Ornament
3 of 6
etsy.com
$14.75
I handcrafted this Christmas Spider Ornament (see legend below) using a black acrylic tensha bead with a pink rose for the body, a black swarvoski crystal pearl for the head, and black glass beads for the legs. It measures 1 inch by 3 1/2 inches when flat. The legs are movable, so you can position them to your liking. This spider will look beautiful hanging on your Christmas Tree. There are two legends. The legends are identical with the exception of one saying that the CHRIST CHILD is coming to visit and the other speaks of SANTA CLAUS coming to visit. I will include a copy of the CHRIST CHILD legend with your order unless you request the SANTA CLAUS version. To make that request, simply write "Santa Claus" in the "add a note to WatersWillow" box when you are in your cart. The spider was created based on the legend written below.Many other spiders made in different styles and colors are listed in WatersWillow at Etsy.Are you looking for a spider in a different color or style? Let me know. I may be able to make exactly what you are looking.***This spider is not a toy and should be kept away from young children. It is made of small beads, which are a choking hazard for young children.***The spider was created based on the following story:LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIDEROnce upon a time, long ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year.... the day on which the Christ child came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner in the ceiling to avoid the housewife's busy cleaning. They finally fled to the farthest corner of the attic.T'was Christmas Eve at last! The tree was decorated and waiting for the children to see it. But the poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the Christ child's visit. But the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could peep through the crack in the door to see him. Silently they crept out of their attic, down the stairs, and
3) Christmas Spider Ornament
4 of 6
etsy.com
$14.75
I handcrafted this Legend of the Christmas Spider Ornament (see the legend below) using a gold tone, filigree bead for the body, a gold tone bead for the head, and gold glass beads for the legs. It measures 1 1/4 inch by 4 inches when flat. The legs are movable, so you can position them to your liking. There are two legends. The legends are identical with the exception of one saying that the CHRIST CHILD is coming to visit and the other speaks of SANTA CLAUS coming to visit. I will include a copy of the CHRIST CHILD legend with your order unless you request the SANTA CLAUS version. To make that request, simply write "Santa Claus" in the "add a note to WatersWillow" box when you are in your cart. The spider was created based on the legend written below.Many other spiders made in different styles and colors are listed in my shop WatersWillow at Etsy.Are you looking for a spider in a different color or style? Let me know. I may be able to make exactly what you are looking.***This spider is not a toy and should be kept away from young children. It is made of small beads, which are a choking hazard for young children.***The spider was created based on the following story:LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIDEROnce upon a time, long ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year.... the day on which the Christ child came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner in the ceiling to avoid the housewife's busy cleaning. They finally fled to the farthest corner of the attic.T'was Christmas Eve at last! The tree was decorated and waiting for the children to see it. But the poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the Christ child's visit. But the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could peep through the crack in the door to see him. Silently they crept out of their attic, down the stairs, and across the floor to wait in the crack in the threshold. Suddenly, the do
4) German Christmas Spider Ornaments
5 of 6
etsy.com
$6.00
A long time ago in Germany, a mother was busily cleaning for Christmas. The spiders fled upstairs to the attic to escape the broom. When the house became quiet, the spiders slowly crept downstairs for a peek. Oh what a beautiful tree! In their excitement, they scurried up the trunk and out each branch. They were filled with happiness as they climbed amongst the glittering beauty. But alas! By the time they were through climbing, the tree was completely shrouded in their dusty gray spider web. When Santa Claus came with the gifts for the children, he saw how happy the spiders were, but he knew how heartbroken the mother would be is she saw the tree covered with the dusty webs. So he turned the webs to silver and gold. The tree sparkled and shimmered and was even more beautiful than before. That's why we have tinsel on our tree and every tree should have a Christmas Spider in its branches. Beautiful hand made spider Christmas ornaments. Each ornament comes with an attached tag that tells the charming Legend of the Christmas Spider. Available in gold or silver. Spiders measure approximately 2 inches in diameter, and tags are approximately 3-2/3" x 4-1/4". Tags can hang with ornament or be removed. Also available in gold, silver, blue, and black – see alternate listing. Will combine shipping, multiples available.
5) Gold and Silver Beaded Christmas Spider Ornament
6 of 6
etsy.com
$10.00
A beautiful Silver and Gold Beaded Christmas Spider Ornament to hang on your Christmas tree. This just sparkles in the light!Measures approximately 4-5 inches long and 3 inches wide.This spider comes with a beaded hanger, silver mesh bag and tag. If for Christmas, the Legend of the Christmas Spider comes with it.Ready to give as a gift or keep for yourself.DUE TO THE HANDMADE NATURE OF THE PRODUCT, ONCE ORDER IS PLACED THE FOLLOWING APPLIES- NO REFUNDS, NO RETURNS, NO EXCHANGES, ALL SALES ARE FINAL AND PRODUCT AS IS.THERE WILL BE SOME SLIGHT VARIATIONS OF THE PRODUCT COMPARED TO THE PICTURE DUE TO THE HANDMADE NATURE.NOT AVAILABLE FOR RESALE OR COPY.NOT A TOY!The trend has a hidden meaning.