I think we can all agree on one thing…2020 has been a complete and total shit show, and I don’t know about you, but I am ready to bring in the new year like my life depends on it. I mean, this year can’t get any worse, right? At least we all have the holidays to look forward to.
It’s finally acceptable to blast Michael Buble’s “we wish you a Merry Christmas,” watch all those cheesy Hallmark movies you have been eagerly anticipating all year, and divulge in what I am sure will be 20 pounds of gained hot chocolate and cookie weight. I am definitely not speaking from experience…
I see you judging me, Stacy!
Let’s hope 2021 is better. I don’t think I can take another year of sobbingly stuffing myself with homemade banana bread & cookies.
All jokes aside, I do want to say how grateful I am to have my family with me & healthy this holiday season. I know many people aren’t as lucky, and my thoughts are with them during this difficult time. If you have the means to donate, I recommend checking out this resource for a list of legitimate organizations that could use your help or research your local community food bank and consider donating there. Every dollar helps a family in need during this trying time.
So now that Christmas is right around the corner, you are probably in the process of getting your tree and dusting off boxes of baubles that your grandmother has stored in her attic for the last 50 years. This year, since travel has been devastatingly canceled for pretty much everyone *excuse me as I grab a piece of banana bread* I wanted to put together a travel-themed ornament roundup because traveling virtually via ornaments is possible, right? and decorating the tree is the best part of Christmas besides the baking and food of course.
Are you looking for the perfect gift to impress that traveler in your life? Check out my other gift guides!
Table of Contents
General Travel Christmas Ornaments
Planet Earth Ornament
Do you spend a lot of time browsing google earth? Well, now you can have your own mini earth dangling on your tree. You can even go as far as pretending your tree is the solar system, and you are a space monster who looks down on earth and the people who live there…I hang out with my friend’s kids too much…
Destination Specific Ornaments
Neuschwanstein Castle – Bavaria, Germany
As inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland, Neuschwanstein is one of Germany’s prettiest castles and most definitely deserves a spot on any travel themed Christmas tree.
Windmill Ornament – Netherlands
Ahh, windmills. The landmarks of the Netherlands. I mean, have you even been to the Netherlands if you didn’t get a picture in front of a windmill? If you have been to the Netherlands before, this ornament could pose as a reminder about your time bicycling through tulip fields and eating all the cheese.
German Stein Ornament
Oh, how I miss Germany and all the gorgeous steins. I think I own 42142. It’s pretty much the only souvenir I bring home when I visit, which is why I absolutely love this wonderfully festive Stein ornament. If you have ever been to Germany or plan on visiting once, it is safe to do so; hang this ornament on your tree as a reminder of past trips or future travels, or if you just like drinking and German culture in general, that is a perfectly acceptable reason to get this ornament.
Venice Cityscape
This ornament has so many beautiful details that will take anyone who has visited the gorgeous Italian city on a “trip” down memory lane. The base of this ornament represents the famous waterways, and on one side, (not pictured here) there is a volto (traditional Venetian mask) as well as the famous winged lion that sits in the Piazza San Marco.
New York Cityscape Ornament
I think New York City might be one of the best cities in the world and this tiny ornament packs all of the best parts of the city into one. The base is a checkered pattern representing the taxis, and then you have several landmarks like The Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and The Empire State Building. There is much goodness packed into one tiny thing.
NYC Checker Taxi with Tree Ornament
The cab drivers in New York City are notoriously known to be a**holes, and that is putting it nicely. I mean, I would too if I had to drive in traffic for hours. If you have been honked at by a New York City cab driver, you are a true New Yorker, and this ornament can be your consolation prize or just a grim reminder of that time you were almost run over by a cab in New York. I know, I am full of sunshine and rainbows!
Louvre Art Museum Ornament
When I think of the Louvre, I think of all the hours I have waited in line just to get a disappointed glimpse of the Mona Lisa and be overwhelmed by how much there is to see inside. But despite that, I have always loved the pyramid-shaped building. It’s one of my favorite architectural gems in Paris.
Gondola Ornament – Venice, Italy
Gondola rides are probably the most expensive attraction in Venice, but it’s one of those things you need to do once. This ornament may not have a singing gondolier, but it’s pretty darn cute and will make up for the fact that you aren’t currently in Venice riding the real thing.
Foodie Ornaments
Sushi Ornament – Japan
Nothing makes me want to visit Japan more than the food and especially the sushi. This ornament allows you to take your sushi obsession to a whole new level by hanging this roll on your tree. Also, why don’t all sushi rolls come decked out in glitter? They totally make edible glitter.
Taco Ornament – Mexico
Tacos are the one thing I am constantly craving, and I would find this ornament quite torturous hanging on my tree, staring at me, badgering me to eat more tacos. I am not crazy, I promise! But in all seriousness, every tree should have a taco ornament, and this one is perfection.
Pasta Ornament – Italy
Nothing says Italy like images of freshly made pasta served at a tiny cafe on a cobbled street with a fat Italian man named Antonio barking orders at everyone working for him. Unfortunately, this pasta isn’t real, and neither is Antonio (at least not that I know of), but that shouldn’t stop you from living out your pasta (& Antonio) dreams through this ornament.
Italian Cheese Wheel Ornament
Every time I see a big wheel of cheese, I get taken back to that scene in the Lizzie Mcguire movie when some woman mistakes Lizzie for a pop star on the street of Rome and gives her a giant wheel of cheese. Anyway, cheese is what gives me life, which is why I love this ornament, and if you are obsessed with cheese like I am, then this ornament is for you!
Croissant Ornament – France
There is nothing like divulging in a buttery croissant on a cold winter’s day or really any day for that matter. This ornament is what some may call a tempting representation of one of the best pastries of all time, and they would be correct. That is why it is the perfect ornament for a Francophile (or croissantophile?).
Pretzel Ornament – Germany
I have fond memories of eating pretzels in the most obscure places when I visited Germany, like the bathroom…don’t ask me why. If you have been to Germany, you will know that they LOVE pretzels. I mean, they are served with pretty much every meal, and I can’t say I blame them! This ornament has me daydreaming back to all the pretzels I had stuffed my face with when I visited Germany. The best part? This pretzel won’t be disappointingly stale or make you thirsty.
Oktoberfest Ornament – Germany
Oktoberfest. The festival of all festivals. This ornament perfectly depicts what I think is the happiest place on earth (sorry, Disneyland). It is a pretzel and a beer. That is all you really need at Oktoberfest to experience it fully, not to mention this ornament is pretty adorable.
Customizable Ornaments
Whew! I know there are a lot of Christmas travel ornaments to choose from – an overwhelming amount. But I hope this Christmas ornament guide got you thinking about what to add to your travel-themed Christmas tree. I know it did for me, and I am more ready than ever to get this festivity show on the road.
Which ornaments were your favorite?
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These are the cutest! I had no idea there were so many different ones! I need the foodie ones, especially the sushi roll haha! Love these!
RIght?? The sushi roll is one of my favorites!
LOVE this blog! What a cute way to “travel from home” this Xmas. I live in Mexico, so I’m of course obsessed with the taco!
Thanks, Shelley! Ohh you must get the best tacos. I am so jealous!
What a great idea for a post! I found myself constantly reassessing my favourite. I think I am going for the vintage luggage. And the telephone box. Can I have two? We buy a Christmas bauble every time we visit an historic building – so we have velvet decorations from Buckingham Palace and Hampton Court – but not in the shapes of the buildings themselves. Inspired!
ohh that sounds like such a fun tradition. I am glad this post inspired you.
Well now I need to make a travel themed Christmas tree. Great ideas!
Thanks, Alanna!
Oh how cute are these ornaments!!! I am totally geeking out over them all right now. Great blog post! :)
Thanks, Taylor! They are pretty cool!
The vintage suitcase and those gorgeous gold-leaf globe ones are calling my name. I love this post, and now you’ve got me wanting to do a travel-themed tree! (PS: I also love the name of your blog. So cute!)
haha thanks, Erin!
These are so much fun! The little globes and Chinese lanterns were made for this :).
Yeah, the globes and lantern belong on any travel themed tree.
Omg I want to make a tree out of ALL of these! How cute would it be to buy a few from each place you visit – and decorate a tree each year? Brilliant!
That would be so cool!
Oh my God, so cute ornaments. I never knew that there were country specific ornaments as well. I loved the Telephone booth of London, I have a similar magnet.
Yeah, the telephone booth is super cute.
I couldn’t love this post more. Christmas ornaments are my hands-down favorite souvenir to buy when I’m traveling so I loved this round-up of adorable travel-inspired ornaments! I hope you have a very merry Christmas and that 2021 sees a return to some sort of travel!!
You must have quite a collection! I am so happy you liked this post.
These are excellent ideas and I am in love with it! I look at my trees and my ornaments are so boring, and I keep thinking that it would make much sense if I had ornaments that represent something that I love – thank you so much for all the ideas and inspiration.