Etsom·ni·a (/etˈsämnēə/), noun, 1. a sleep disorder caused by obsessive Etsy browsing. 2. The surprising arrival of weird handmade merchandise ordered when one is only half conscious. (True story.) 3. An excuse for me to be an obnoxious, snarky New Yorker once in a while.
Last year, we had… an incident. Our little pre-lit birch tree that hangs out in the corner of the living room to show off our best ornaments tipped over. The cat’s lawyers want me to mention she was NOT involved. It had been listing to port for a while and I ignored its tilt, resulting in some carnage. After an appropriate mourning period (I get weirdly attached to holiday ornaments), I got to work locating replacements. Then I forgot. When I opened my ornament boxes this year, I remembered the carnage and realized I missed replacing a few key pieces. Of course, I logically headed to Etsy and wasn’t disappointed, but while I was looking to replace my preciousnesses (my spell check is like WTF?), I came across some, um, less successful items as well. Hope you enjoy!
Our rainbow ornaments were the first to be replaced! By AliceHenshawGlassNot only is this thing derpy in the extreme, it’s also FILLED WITH CATNIP. I thought the idea was to keep the cats out of the tree…Here is my thinking on polar bears. I know they want to eat me, but if not friend, why friend shaped? By LuluverreThis reminds me that I’m due to see my gyno…Beautiful! By DigNitThis Santa looks like he just remembered he left his damned phone in the sleigh. Again.Q: Do you want to build a snowman? A: Yes, if they’re going to be this cute! By ElementsOfFusionWhat are you doing to that gingerbread man?!?Fused glass is so fascinating! By KeepItGlassicMuch like Elf on the Shelf, I don’t see myself ever getting into Twaddle in a Bottle.How cute is this “Rescued dog” ornament? By LikeYourJunkGive it a minute. It will, er, come to you.Sometimes, simple and elegant is just the thing! By CollinRussellGlassThis little guy is cute, but he also looks VERY, VERY HIGH.How lovely! By SenimanCalligraphyI get that it’s a nativity, but does anyone else see a dog face?This is one of my prized ornaments that broke. I was so pleased to find another! By CrankyCakesShopDragonfly, allegedly.Yes, please! By TeriSokoloffGlass
Oh no! I am also weirdly sentimental about Christmas tree ornaments so I can well imagine your devastation and heartache. I am glad you have been able to find joy in seeking out fun replacement ornaments. I would love to have a tree full of glass ornaments but I had four small boys and now have three cats so that’s a nope for now. I also gave myself a challenge in that all ornaments on my tree are gold so I can’t get tempted by any ornaments that are not in that colour scheme. … but … I could hang glass Christmas ornaments from places other than the tree ….
We have a 10′ tree that I demand be decorated in all glass ornaments. This is likely its last year because it requires two men (husband/son) on ladders to fully decorate and means I have to wait on them to be “ready” so it goes up later than I’d like. BUT. The “what will we break this year” game never gets old and I find lots of glass ornaments at the thrifties.
Half the fun is remembering where certain ones came from, etc. Last year a black glass ball that said “despair” was added and was exactly the sentiment for the year from hell. This year, though, I found a glass ornament shaped like a bottle of champagne, so we’re putting out THAT energy for the coming year.
I love this year’s energy! Glass ornaments are my favorite souvenir. I always hit the vintage shops and glass art shops wherever we go, so ornaments make a great, readily available keepsake. Most of my favorites have come from my wanderings and have the dubious honor of traveling home carefully swaddled in my clothes.
The rainbow ornaments are beautiful. I have been married 45 years and my husband buys a new ornament every year. I’ll point him towards GlassVIntageDecors!
How sweet! I briefly picked up the habit of buying my ex a new ornament every day in December leading up to Christmas, but that proved unsustainable. (As did that relationship.) I like yours better.
December 4, 2025 at 7:46 am
Oh no! I am also weirdly sentimental about Christmas tree ornaments so I can well imagine your devastation and heartache. I am glad you have been able to find joy in seeking out fun replacement ornaments. I would love to have a tree full of glass ornaments but I had four small boys and now have three cats so that’s a nope for now. I also gave myself a challenge in that all ornaments on my tree are gold so I can’t get tempted by any ornaments that are not in that colour scheme. … but … I could hang glass Christmas ornaments from places other than the tree ….
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December 4, 2025 at 8:29 am
I like how you’re thinking!
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December 4, 2025 at 9:38 am
hahaha! Dog face? Yes!!!
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December 5, 2025 at 10:48 am
So odd. I saw the dog first then had to read the description to figure out what I was looking at.
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December 4, 2025 at 12:45 pm
As usual, the sarcasm and wit come at a great time 😂 (“twaddle in a bottle”; alleged dragonfly 😉 )
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December 5, 2025 at 10:49 am
Thank you! I can’t write Etsomnia when I’m happy clappy, but I was in a mood, and I used it!
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December 5, 2025 at 10:29 am
We have a 10′ tree that I demand be decorated in all glass ornaments. This is likely its last year because it requires two men (husband/son) on ladders to fully decorate and means I have to wait on them to be “ready” so it goes up later than I’d like. BUT. The “what will we break this year” game never gets old and I find lots of glass ornaments at the thrifties.
Half the fun is remembering where certain ones came from, etc. Last year a black glass ball that said “despair” was added and was exactly the sentiment for the year from hell. This year, though, I found a glass ornament shaped like a bottle of champagne, so we’re putting out THAT energy for the coming year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 5, 2025 at 10:53 am
I love this year’s energy! Glass ornaments are my favorite souvenir. I always hit the vintage shops and glass art shops wherever we go, so ornaments make a great, readily available keepsake. Most of my favorites have come from my wanderings and have the dubious honor of traveling home carefully swaddled in my clothes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7, 2025 at 5:46 pm
The rainbow ornaments are beautiful. I have been married 45 years and my husband buys a new ornament every year. I’ll point him towards GlassVIntageDecors!
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December 10, 2025 at 12:17 pm
How sweet! I briefly picked up the habit of buying my ex a new ornament every day in December leading up to Christmas, but that proved unsustainable. (As did that relationship.) I like yours better.
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