In Search of Santa: A Summer Pilgrimage to the Magic of Christmas
While the rest of Europe was lounging lakeside or chasing the last rays of summer sun, we did something entirely different.
In fact, something truly magical. We packed the car (and yes, all four of our mops, Dolly, Daisy, Donna, and Didi included), and set off on a joy-filled pilgrimage through Germany in search of Christmas.
Not just any Christmas. The real one. The one with glittering ornaments blown by hand, Santas made from century-old molds, and old-world villages where the spirit of the holiday season isn’t something summoned for a season, it’s lived all year long.
Our first Christmas stop: Meilschnitz, a tiny Bavarian village that is home to the legendary Ino Schaller workshop. Run by fourth-generation artisans Thomas and Christina Schaller, the family workshop has become a holy grail for lovers of true craftsmanship. Imagine a warm summer day, the scent of pine trees in the air, and inside a cool atelier: rows upon rows of paper maché Santas, snowmen, rabbits, and reindeer—each cast in a historic plaster mold, dried, painted, dusted in glitter, and finished with loving detail.
Thomas explained to us how the paper maché mixture itself is still based on his great-grandfather’s original recipe—pulp, clay, and cellulose all poured into antique molds, left to dry for days, and then given to artisans who sand, prime, paint, and embellish each piece. No shortcuts. No modern substitutes. Even the decorations follow tradition—red, gold, and silver still reign supreme, though we did see (and order) several Santas and reindeer in spectacular pastels and bright bold colors.
From Meilschnitz, we journeyed northward to Lauscha, the enchanted birthplace of the glass Christmas bauble. If Meilschnitz was charming, Lauscha was downright storybook. Steep forested hills, crooked rooftops, and a history that makes any ornament collector's heart skip a beat.
Here, nestled between forest and glassworks, we explored potential partnerships with local glassblowers. Lauscha's history is astonishing: in the early 20th century, it was responsible for producing 95% of all Christmas ornaments sold in the United States. Today, artisans still use restored antique molds and mouth-blown techniques to produce delicate, glimmering treasures with an eerie old-world magic—less modern commercial Santa, more Krampus-at-the-fireplace.
We ended our yuletide tour in Lichstedt, where we were welcomed by Nostalgie Christbaumschmuck. This third-generation workshop still crafts glass ornaments just as they were made a hundred years ago. Each ornament is a little miracle: mouth-blown, hand-painted, and capped with antique-style iron tops. Their molds are sourced from long-standing family collections and restored with such care that they become as precious as the ornaments themselves. Over goulash and noodles and coffee (served, naturally, in Christmas mugs), we shared stories, laughter, and a deep love for preserving this remarkable tradition. In a moment equal parts reverence and glee, we even tried blowing a few ornaments ourselves. Let’s just say... we should stick to curating.
This, dear friends, is why Christmas at BON TON goods is so extraordinary. Every piece is chosen with intention, every ornament has a story, and behind each reindeer and snowman is a journey—often by car, with four dogs, through winding roads and glitter-filled workshops.
So yes, we celebrated Christmas in July. Joyously. Gleefully. And unapologetically.
Stay tuned for a first look at this year’s most spectacular holiday arrivals.