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Red is festive for holiday designs

By Bethany Waldrop Keiper

"Swinging clusters of red, the hedges are full of them, red-currant red, a graceful ornament or a merry smile." -- Denise Levertov

There are many different speculations on just when and where and how red came into the Christmas celebration color palette, but one thing is for sure -- it is still lovely after all of these years. Trends come and go, and new colors are added and taken away, but the allure of traditional red (and its partner, green) never fades away.

One of my favorite stories of red's history with the holiday is that it came from the bright berries of the holly plant, which was used as a decoration for different celebrations. The Druids of long ago believed that the glossy plant stayed green throughout the year because it was magical.

 

Another popular red and green holiday plant is the traditionally-colored poinsettia. The actual flower of the poinsettia is small and yellow. But surrounding these small flowers are large, bright red leaves, often mistaken for petals. Just as poinsettias have the small golden-yellow flowers, these red beads have small golden accents. The beads' petals themselves are accented with golden etching, and the facetted beads surrounding them sparkle and shine with brilliant golden light. In tribute to the poinsettias, this design's dangle features a pretty red leaf. Finish this necklace with the flower and facetted beads as shown, or with small red glass and golden beads. Golden chain or slim red ribbon are other options.
 

More red folklore suggests that the red stripes found on candy canes and the various red berries of Christmas greenery represent Jesus' blood. The Salvation Army's signs and colors are red. More fanciful customs and traditions include Santa's suit, which is red, and we absolutely cannot forget Rudolph's red nose. If you look at the packages under most Christmas trees, you are very likely to find at least a few red-wrapped ones, and quite a few bright red bows.

This smooth, marble-look heart with tiny flecks of shimmer in it is all wrapped up with a pretty silver bow on top. Silver and red accents complete the package, which is now ready to become a lovely pendant. Or, if you like bold designs, prepare a pair of these for a bold set of earrings. If you wear these for earrings, you'd better forgo a necklace altogether.
 

Doesn't it seem like the birthstone for December should be a ruby? If it was, I'd like a ruby about the size and color of one of these ovals. These thick sculptured ovals of clear pressed red glass look so much like old-fashioned Christmas candy that you almost want to taste them.

They are especially beautiful when paired with super-smooth red Czech glass rounds. The differing textures remind me of holiday decorations -- such as the smooth round holly berries against the background of veined holly leaves, or of smooth glass ornaments against the bumpy background of Christmas tree branches

 

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