What is A Finial Tree Topper? Find the Perfect Holiday Decor
Christmas tree toppers have been an essential part of Christmas decorations for centuries, adding a touch of elegance, vintage, and tradition to Christmas trees and home decor. This article will go into the introduction, history and cultural significance, different types and designs of finial tree toppers, coupled with tips on choosing a tree topper to enhance your Christmas decorations this holiday season.
Introduction to Finial Tree Toppers
As their name implies, finial tree toppers, are ornaments set atop the Christmas tree. Usually with religious or cultural connotations, the intention is to give the tree a last touch. Its soaring spire, which has a religious component and looks like a church steeple, really strikes people. It is of great significance in Christmas decor as it represents the climax of Christmas tree decoration and adds holiday mood, thereby providing happiness and delight to individuals.
History and Cultural Significance
Finial tree topper decoration originated in Germany in the late 19th century, and the glass top created by German artists won people’s affection and became the most often used Christmas tree ornament at that period. Christmas tree toppers have evolved in different cultures and periods. In the early days, it was just a simple decoration. It looked simple. By the Victorian period, tree tops had become ornate and varied. The surface of the top decoration is often engraved with patterns and patterns and has Gothic or Rococo style characteristics, and the pattern is delicate and complex. From the 20th century to the present, the emphasis is more personalized and creative. Modern tree top decoration will do more personalized, will add some of their favorite characters on the above.
These tree-top decorations have religious and cultural meanings. The topper features a towering spire reminiscent of the apex of a church. It points up, to the sky, to heaven, to the direction from which Christ came. Acts of the Apostles tells of Jesus being picked up by a cloud and flying into the air. Two men dressed in white said that Jesus would come to earth in the same way as you saw him enter heaven.
The Types and Designs of Finial Tree Toppers
Traditional Types and Designs of Finial Tree Toppers
Usually crafted of glass, traditional finial tree toppers are often handcrafted, these glass toppers use a blowing and molding technique to create intricate glass forms from which hand-painted decorations like patterns, lines, glitter, or other ornamental elements are then embellished. Common shapes of final tree toppers are spires, drops, spirals, and cones.
Spires
Inspired by European church spires and symbolizing faith pointing to heaven, the spire design is among the most iconic. Usually, it shows one or more concave spheres then a thin pointed tube adorned with a design or grain on the sphere. Most of the designs consist in Christmas trees, snowflakes, leaves, stars, and so on. Generally speaking, the lines are mostly streamlined. Patterns will adorn some of the pointed tubes.
Drops
As its name indicates, the drop-shaped ornament resembles water drops in shape. The common shape of this type has a thin top, a broad bottom, and a dripping water drop in the middle. This is a neat, smooth, elegant style; the top is usually covered in gingerbread people, deer, green foliage, snowflakes, and other designs.
Spirals
The spiral topper manifests two different shapes. One is that the whole bottle adopts a spiral pattern, and the top is a pointed tube (the pointed tube has no spiral shape), and the other is that the spiral begins at the pointed tube. This spiral tree topper has a dynamic aesthetic. It has few designs; still, its gorgeous spiral form attracts attention. To beautify the spiral, there are also other designs using silver or other colors to embellish it.
Cones
The cone tree topper is closer to a spire one, but is usually simpler in shape, with a wide base and tapering upward. This topper also has patterned decorations, but they are generally simple patterns that keep the surface as flat and smooth as possible.
Modern Types and Designs of Finial Tree Toppers
While keeping classic toppers, modern finial tree toppers provide greater thought to personalization.
Abstract Design
Modern abstract designs often emphasize simplicity and abstraction, and many modern toppers are influenced by abstract art, employing simple lines and geometric shapes such as abstract patterns or simplified natural elements. Some toppers directly use lines to draw, made into hollow tops, to create a unique visual effect.
Personalized Customization
One of the biggest features of modern spire decoration is that it can be customized. Users can customize the top decoration according to their own preferences. Some users like animals, like owls, so they customize the ball with an eagle top; Some like dogs, so they customize the ball with a puppy; Some like Santa Claus, so they customize the sphere with Santa Claus. Even some anime characters can be customized.
Cultural Integration
Modern tree topper decoration designs will be more emphasis on cultural diversity and integration, some pointed decoration designs will use different cultural elements, such as African totems, Asian patterns, and so on. Some adopt Chinoiserie elements to design and integrate them with Byzantine to show cultural diversity and carry out cultural exchanges.
Tips for Choosing Finial Tree Toppers
Theme and Color Scheme
Try to find harmony by first thinking through the theme and color scheme of the Christmas tree and holiday decorations before selecting a Christmas tree top. As shown in the picture above, Green and red are traditional colors; in the case of most red parts, it is advisable to select a red tree top ornament so that the whole harmony is created. Whether your chosen color theme is classic, modern, rustic, or something else entirely, please make sure the tree topper fits the theme and style you are using.
Tree Size and Shape
The size and shape of the tree will determine the greatest kind of look for the top ornaments. Smaller trees could be more appropriate for little or well-proportioned ornaments, and taller trees could call for bigger or longer tree top decorations. Take also the tree’s shape. Larger decorations may be used for fuller trees; smaller ornaments can be chosen to make sure the top ornamentation does not overwhelm the tree for more slender trees.
Weight and Stability
We should pay attention to the weight of the tree top ornament and pick decorations the tree can hold. Should your tree top ornament be heavy, you will require a stronger tree to hold it; should your tree top ornament be lighter, it may be utilized for a wide range of purposes on both looser and stronger trees. Guarantee the stability of the base of the tree top ornament concurrently. It must be fastened firmly to the top limb of the tree so that it does not bend or topple off.
Safety
Safety is nothing little; we cannot overlook it. Particularly if you have young children or pets, please be aware of the safety of the tree top ornaments and steer clear of utilizing sharp edges or little detachable bits that can cause a threat. If you have lights or any other electrical components on your top trim, please make sure that they are in good condition and that there are no frayed cables or broken pieces.
Conclusion
Christmas finial tree topper plays a vital role in holiday decorations, adding elegance and tradition to Christmas celebrations. By learning about the history, design, and selection of Christmas finial tree toppers, you can find the perfect Christmas ornament that suits you. Add to the celebratory mood and make your family and friends happy.