Starfish Christmas Tree Topper

Many people are waiting all year long for the Christmas season to spring up and let them drag out boxes and boxes of decorations. Other people are always caught by surprise, even though it comes at the same time every year. One of the latest decoration trends for Christmas is that of the starfish tree topper.

It's truth that the most common reason for enjoying this season is the celebration of the birth of Christ that the holiday is named after. However, the roots of Christmas go even further back. Many ancient cultures and people celebrated some sort of winter holiday, whether it was the season of Yule or watching the passing of the winter solstice. Those countries that adopted Christianity last, the northern European ones, are the ones that leave their traditions for everyone else to follow.

In the fifteenth century, guildhalls would adorn their steps or halls with a Christmas tree. Many times the tree was danced around before being set on fire, a symbol of good luck for the local young men and women. There are also recorded traditions around such trees being decorated with everything from nuts and apples to hand crafted paper flowers, all to please the children.

Today's Christmas trees are decorated in a safe and cautious manner. Back when they were becoming popular, these trees were actually lit with wax candles settled onto their branches. The tradition of Christmas trees was introduced to Canadians much earlier than the British or Russian people. It was Queen Victoria and her memories of the trees of her childhood Christmas celebrations that brought the trees to Britain.

The very top branches of a tree are always reserved for the most special of decorations. Here is where one finds a sweet angel, representing the angelic host that rang out in song at the birth of Christ. Here one might also find a significantly decorated star, said to remind people of the Star of Bethlehem and how it guided people to the place of Jesus' birth.

A starfish as a tree topper is a great idea. Looking naturally like stars helps of course. Some of these creatures have slender limbs often caught in a pose of waving, making them easy to decorate. Others of these will be short and thick legged, looking like a star off a seasonal card.

People can purchase hand made starfish toppers from a store because they're so very popular. However, it's not that hard to pick up a used up star off a beach and make it into a topper. All it requires is bleaching the star in water and bleach, then setting it to dry on a mixture of baking soda and salt. This will help stiffen and clean it, as well as get rid of the smell. Then it's ready for personalizing and decorating.

Beach Christmas decorations can include pearls and half shells but a starfish tree topper can look just perfect in its pure and natural state. It's the latest trend added to ancient traditions surrounding Christmas. Regardless of why someone might choose a star, the important thing to remember is that the starfish as a tree topper will help people to feel joyous and celebratory, as well as generous to all.