Lithuanian Christmas Tree Ornaments

Straw is greatly used during the Christmas Season in Lithuania and Lithuanian culture.

Straw is a traditional decoration. Is it normally spread on the table top and then covered with a clean, white tablecloth. The table is then decorated with candles and small branches or twigs from a fir tree. The straw reminds people of the baby Jesus lying in a manger. It is to remind you of the place where Jesus was born as well. It also symbolizes good fortune in the future ~ that God is blessing the bountiful harvest for the next season.

Straw is also used for ornaments to decorate the Christmas Tree; this is known as Straw Art. The straw ornaments are called “šiaudinukai“, and represent the agricultural background of Lithuania. Straw ornaments are made from wheat, oat or rye straw. Their forms reflect designs and motifs found in other types of Lithuanian folk art, such as woodcarving and weaving. They are constructed by stringing different lengths of straw on thin twine or thread, or by the applique method – cutting and gluing small pieces of straw into various geometric or organic shapes, or a combination of both, or even stitching them together with thread in some cases. There are different varieties of Christmas Tree ornaments that are made out of straw, but some of the most popular ones we have seen are stars, snowflakes, bells, angels, pinecones, reindeer, and some classical others.