And if that sparkle comes in the shape of a chicken or two, so much the better!
You're in the right place. I started collecting chicken-themed Christmas tree ornaments several years ago, so I know what's available out there.
And we're not talking about modern plastic imports. I'm here to tell you where to find some of the classiest - and funniest - chicken Christmas tree decorations out there.
They're the kind of ornaments you can give to younger family members who love chickens and have just set up home.
Often at that stage, they can't afford to buy the more expensive ones for themselves.
So these all make wonderful, unique, Christmas gifts.
Look on them as heirlooms. You'll be contributing to family traditions for many years to come.
Ready? Let's go!
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If you live in the States, chances are you have a Christmas store somewhere nearby. I've found really lovely chicken pieces on my visits to family in the US - these, for example...
Sadly, I can't find these online.
But I can find all these below. They're available from Amazon - click on any of the pictures or the links to buy. But be aware that these always sell out well before Christmas.
My advice so as not to be disappointed is to buy them in November - at the latest.
To buy this Christmas tree ornament, click on the image or on this link now.
This is one of my favourite of all my chicken-themed ornaments. It's a fun, whimsical twist on the "3 French Hens" part of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
If you don't know Patience Brewster's work, it's worth looking at. Hers is a small, one artist business. All the items are unique designs by Patience herself, hand made and hand painted, and marketed by MacKenzie-Childs.
The "3 French Hens" ornament has the hens teetering in heels and dressed in appropriately sparkly attire, fluffed out with feathers.
At just over 5" high it's made of resin and stone, which means it's virtually unbreakable. It comes in a presentation box.
It would make a beautiful heirloom gift for younger family members, or buy it for yourself to pass down the generations!
I loved it so much that, although it can't be bought in Europe, I contacted the company direct and asked them to send me one by special delivery. It wasn't cheap, but it was so worth it!
If you're in the US, you don't have to go to those lengths. Click the button to buy direct from the manufacturer, MacKenzie-Childs, now!
The second favourite of my chicken-themed tree ornaments.
If you like Christmas, you like chickens and you like a bit of sparkle, this fun tree ornament is definitely for you.
It's from the well-known and very well-made 'Old World' collection. This small company makes authentic, an old-fashioned glass ornaments - no plastic anywhere in sight!. This is another one of my favourites which I ordered from America just because I love it so much.
It's got that lovely sheen of antique-style tree ornaments - and of course it has some sparkle too. It comes in its own little gift box so it makes an ideal - and inexpensive - Christmas gift.
The "Old World" collection features quite a lot of chicken- and homestead-themed ornaments - so much so that I've written a whole article devoted to them. You'll find it at this link.
Or, if you just want to buy this sparkly hen...
Please note: the Christmas tree version of this has sold out (October 2021). These links are to the larger, stand-alone figurine. If the smaller ornament comes back into stock I will update here. The details on the two figures are exactly the same - the only thing that varies is the size.
You probably know Jim Shore - he produces the most beautiful, detailed range of Christmas-themed decorations.
I have (and love) his Italian Santa figurine.
And recently, I discovered his Brazilian Santa, from the Heartwood "Santas Around the World" collectibles group.
I chose the smaller Christmas tree ornament this time, and I wasn't disappointed.
Made from stone resin, like his other designs this one combines the traditional with folksy artwork. Having a Brazilian theme, it features the well-known Christ the Redeemer statue of Rio in Santa's skirt.
But, more importantly for the backyard chicken keeper, it's special because it features...
A rooster!
It's not very easy to see on the big pic, so here's a close-up pic of the roo...
Why a rooster?
Because in Brazil, Midnight Mass is known as the "Missa do Galo" - Mass of the Rooster - because it finishes at the start of a new day.
And, as we all know, the rooster crows to welcome in that new day.
I genuinely love that connection.
It comes in two sizes. I have the smaller Christmas tree decoration, and it's also available in a larger stand-alone ornament. Both come in their own gift box.
"Committed to bringing joy every day" is the slogan of the company which works with Jim Shore to produce these.
I'd say they've definitely succeeded with this one. Wouldn't you?
This is one of my must-have ornaments which makes me smile every time I take it out of its box: Portmeirion's "Three French Hens" tree bauble.
Made of fine bone china to a design by Portmeirion's Sarah Miller and painted in glorious colour, this is a stylish Christmas tree ornament which can be passed down generations as an heirloom.
I also bought this for my brother and sister-in-law as a pre-Christmas present – that's their tree you see it hanging on.
And although they don't have chickens, the elegance of the design and the fact that it catches the light without having the more "tacky" sparkle made it a sure winner.
Their comments were about its high quality, lovely presentation and the intense colours which make it stand out from other tree ornaments.
It comes in a beautiful presentation box, which makes it absolutely ideal as a gift, and it's surprisingly inexpensive given the lovely quality.
If you're looking for a good quality ornament with a chicken theme which could be passed down from one generation to another, this bauble is the one I’d suggest.
In the same series are all the other "12 days of Christmas" designs. But clearly, for chicken lovers, only this one will do!
Don't miss out. This is not a mass-produced ornament, and it sells out very quickly each year.
With thanks to my brother Will and nephew William for the pics!
Got a favourite rooster, or know someone who has? You may have just found an ideal Christmas gift for them!
If you prefer something a little less glittery than our "hen on a nest" and rather tasteful (I like tasteful and glitter!) this hand-painted glass ornament by Kurt Adler may be just what you're looking for.
It's light and bright, and hangs from a gold-coloured string.
Feedback emphasises that the colours are much more vibrant than the image shows - there are no poor reviews about this ornament.
It's not only a Christmas gift, either – there's nothing specifically "Christmassy" about it. Know anyone who was born in the year of the rooster? This gift would make a perfect birthday gift for them!
This has to be one of the prettiest chicken-themed Christmas tree baubles I've seen. It's designed in America but hand-painted in the Ukraine, and available in both the US and UK.
It combines elegance with glitter - the glitter's not overdone, just enough to make it sparkle under tree lights.
Like the "Old World" ornaments, it's glass, not plastic, and uses traditional European methods to create each one. As each bauble is hand-crafted and hand-painted, each is slightly different.
It comes in its own gift box complete with a ribbon for hanging and it makes an ideal Christmas gift for chicken-keepers - or anyone who just loves chickens.
I loved it so much I bought one for my sister, too!
I found some seriously cute Christmas chicken-themed wrapping paper on Amazon!
I love it! And I think you will, too.
Because I'm always on the lookout for chicken-themed gift ideas for myself, I have a lot of ideas for other people too!
If you're looking for an inexpensive gift to give a chicken-addict this Christmas these pages might give you some ideas.
Just click on the pic.