This year's winners

As you know, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards the Emmys, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences bestows the Academy Awards. Less well known is the Academy of Vintage Christmas Ornament Arts and Sciences, which also has an annual awards ceremony. It falls every year on the Monday before Christmas, unless that is inconvenient for the founder of the Academy.

Fortunately, the traditional date worked out well for the Academy this year, and it is time to announce this year's award winners. As always, the judge had a very difficult time choosing just one ornament in each category. The judge wishes to remind all vintage ornaments (except the really ugly ones) that each of them is a winner.

Without further ado, let's meet this year's honorees:

Outstanding Performance by an Unsilvered Ornament

 

The red glass ball featuring a handpainted church and glittering snow. (From the judge's notes: "Easily  could have been a winner in the Best Church Scene category or the Best Use of Glitter to Represent Snow category")

Best Figural Ornament

 

The heart. The judge could not overlook the heart's remarkable rendition not only of a flower ...

 

but a butterfly on the opposite side. ("A tour de force!" the judge exclaimed.)

Best Use of Glitter to Represent Snow

 

The medium-sized Shiny Brite snowball in aqua. Citing "a remarkable combination of simplicity, charm and sophistication," the judge notes an increased interest in acquiring more snowballs in every size and color.

Best Santa

 
 
The big pink handpainted Santa ornament from Poland. The Academy chose to overlook this ornament's broken pike and replacement cap, citing its "unmatched ability to bring cheer every year."

Best Flower

 
 
The tiny red ornament with a handpainted lily of the valley from Poland. The judge was feeling partial to tiny red ornaments when the awards were being handed out.

Best Panorama

 
 
Gold ornament with mushroom, made in Japan. "Rarely has the Academy seen such a masterful combination of glass balls, glitter, a tiny chenille stem and a mushroom." (From the judge's notes.)

Best Indent

 

Large West German ball with church. The judge always has been partial to this ornament, even if it's not the oldest or deepest indent.

Best bird

 

The sparkling glass swan. Because it's impossible to be unhappy while considering the words "sparkling glass swan."

Best Merry Christmas ornament

 

The most competitive of all of the categories (another ornament's photograph was taken before the judge changed her mind!) the blue Shiny Brite ornament eked out a victory. The judge likes the shade of blue and the old-fashioned depiction of a Christmas tree yard complete with strings of oversized light bulbs. Also note the use of the phrase "A Merry Christmas," rather than the more common "Merry Christmas." An English major in college, the judge likes to see articles such as a, an and the used in a festive yet appropriate manner.
 
The Academy hopes you have enjoyed this year's awards ceremony and hopes you will join in congratulating the winners. Just a reminder: The decision of the judge is not final. She could change her mind any moment.
 
  
 



 
 
 
  

Comments

[Linda @ A La Carte]

I Love this post! How cute and love all the winners but as the JUDGE says, everyone is a winner.

Linda

[georgiapeachez]

I'd like to thank the Academy for their outstanding choices this year. I'm sure there must have been many deserving candidates and the losers can all commiserate together at the after ceremony party held on the christmas tree.

[Jenny @ The Red Bulletin Board]

You make me laugh every time!! Love them all, but my fav is the mushroom one!

[Tina]

Congratulations, winners!!

I wholeheartedly concur with the judge's decisions, but could easily be swayed should the judge's decision be less than final.

[Alli (One Pearl Button)]

Haha, love it. Congrats to all the winners; I hope there was a great afterparty.

[Beth Leintz]

Excellent choices- the judge has obviously has a discerning and practiced eye. I'm anxiously awaiting the winners in the decor (not on a tree) category

[Julie]

Who were the accountants who held the results before the announcements were made I'd like to know (LOL). Very Cute B. You are one lucky girl. And I am especially impressed by the use of the mushroom! Cheers, Jewels

[Janelle]

Great winners! My favorite is "A Merry Christmas." I am very partial to the Shiny-Brites with words or scenes on them...found one this year with a little car hauling a Christmas tree on top!

[Karina]

i loved the Merry Christmas ornament, the color is fabulous! I love them all and am jealous once again :)

[laurie mapgie ethel]

Always a joy to read your posts...something fun and different each time. I would cast my vote for the mushroom or snowball in aqua. fun stuff as usual.

[Beth Williams]

You have the best sense of humor and quite the way with words! Love your blog.

[Tammy]

You're a hoot!
Divine collection you've got there, Ms. B!
A Merry Christmas to you!
Tammy

[Into Vintage]

Yikes - I got a little choked up for a moment there. The 'Best Use of Glitter' nominee/winner was my my favorite as a kid - I always looked forward to hanging those on the tree! You're right - they're all winners! Happy Holidays -amy

[Linda B]

I commend the judge. This must have been a daunting task! They are all winners.

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

Bravo, Bravo! A fine batch of contestants. I hope the winners thanked the person who bought them and kept them out of the landfill in their acceptance speeches!

[Martha]

I think this was one of the best Academy Awards shows I've ever seen -- I agreed with every single winner, the speeches were short (well....non-existent), and the host was extremely amusing.

[arlene]

Wonderful ornaments...everyone of them. Thank you so much for the trip down memory lane. Usually I lurk around here and I love your blog. Tonight I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm looking forward to more of your postings. Thank you.

[one gal's trash]

Would love to see these beauties roll down the red carpet.
Merry Christmas!
xo
Pam

[two crazy crafters]

Barbara, it is always so much fun to read your posts, but this time I feel like I should have dressed up to! I should have put on my 'who are you wearing' dress and sported some Harry Winston! The award ceremony was touching and the winners were humbled, I could tell. I think they are all most honored to belong to you! Have a very Merry Christmas! Twyla

[Maureen]

They are all winners in my book. I'm a fan of all vintage baubles. Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and your family.
Maureen