Our first stop on our great gifts journey is at Russell Rhodes Christmas. Russell Rhodes began his career designing the accessories for intricate stage sets for Broadway theater. Soon, New York socialites hired him to deck the halls in their pricey highrise mansions. Spending incredible sums, his early clients created Christmas wonderlands complete with a motorized 6-foot Santa, snowmen village scenes, and little elves who whistled while they worked. Each of these magnificant creations was glittered with a smattering of a special Christmas ornament, designed and manufactured exclusively for the well-healed client.
The demand for Russell Rhodes Christmas designs, encouraged Russell to form close relationships with factories and artisans who specialized in Christmas decorations. Some of these same factories and artisan groups would later support such other famous designers like Radko and Fitz & Floyd. The original work usually involved a great deal of hand crafted ornament work with glitter, blown glass, and delicate bead work.
Today, Russell Rhodes Christmas specializes in Christmas ornaments, personalized ornament designs, and glass ornaments. The primary focus since 2007 has been personalized Christmas ornaments. A quick perusal of this year selections offers just over 1700 unique ornaments for all occasions and gift giving needs. Options run from engagement, anniversary and wedding ornaments, to baby's first Christmas ornament designs. Then move into family ornament offerings from couples ornaments to large family ornaments of 16 and more. There are also grandparents gifts which feature all the grand kids on Christmas ornaments. Leaving the family, the gifts range from designs for dogs, pets, kids, new home and many other life event Christmas gifts. (more...)
