Souvenirs For A Century -- Treasure A Sparkling 2000-Themed Ornament Long After The Champagne Is Gone

Even if you have never collected annual Christmas tree ornaments, this may be the year you buy one. As the year 2000 approaches, the desire to buy special and limited editions of many artifacts, including dated Christmas ornaments, is gaining momentum. And people, realizing the significance of this once-in-a-lifetime event, are seeking souvenirs to mark it.

Manufacturers know a good opportunity when they see one. They're rushing in to show us a fabulous array of ornaments to celebrate the end of one millennium and the start of another. They're employing all manner of popular symbols, from the not-so-subtle ornaments with "2000" in numerals, to the expected icons of a new year, like mini-champagne glasses and champagne bottles ensconced in ice buckets.

There's also Father Time holding babies, clocks, watches, calendar pages and hourglasses. Pop culture icons are represented, too, like a coquettish Betty Boop done up Hollywood style. Of course, there are also the traditional, endearing symbols of the holiday season: snowflakes, snowmen and Santa Claus, all clearly emblazoned with "2000."

The ornament may gain in monetary value, or it may simply become a family heirloom. Dating the ornaments and issuing them in a limited edition increases the perceived value of a piece and raises market demand. A limited-edition glass ornament depicting an elegant pocket watch and beaded chain has already sold out of the Neiman Marcus catalog.

Buying an ornament is a reasonable and understandable indulgence. They are made in a variety of materials, which usually determines the price. The most traditional annual editions are made of sterling silver and silverplate. More pricey than most, these ornaments can be engraved with any message you like at the store or at a jeweler. Bear in mind that engraving can take weeks, especially around the holidays.

If you are looking for something other than the traditional symbols, look no further than the limited edition Faberge Egg called Renaissance, from Whitehurst Imports. Fabulously decorated with red, gold and green detailing and the numerals "2000," this mouth-blown glass egg is crafted from a porcelain, two-piece mold into which the glass is blown. The mold was broken after the 2,000th ornament was crafted. The suggested retail price is $130.

Wallace Silversmiths makes an ornate cage of silverplate in the shape of a globe, which says "2000" in gold electroplating and declares "Children are the future." This beauty costs $25. Gorham makes a sterling silver snowflake engraved with "2000" for $75.

Hand & Hammer depicts 2000 in an ornament called "Y2K is for the Birds" along with the more traditional stars and snowflakes, each ornament selling for $39.50. Each year the company issues an ornament from Beatrix Potter's "Tales of Peter Rabbit." The familiar characters from the children's tale - a bird, rabbit, goose and squirrel - are depicted inside the numerals "2000" along with traditional icons of Christmas, a star and bells, all of finely crafted sterling silver.

There are popular ornaments made of clear glass or cut crystal that refract light and shimmer. Waterford's ice-thin stemware ornament called The New Year's Toast costs $42. For another miniaturized version of cut crystal stemware, Gorham has a dazzling Lady Anne Flute ornament, measuring 4 1/8 inches high, at $25. It's matched with a Lady Anne Champagne Bucket measuring 3 1/4 inches high, which is composed of a champagne bottle and a champagne bucket. This sparkling ornament costs $25.

Lenox's Celebrate 2000 at $40 is crafted in its signature creamy white porcelain. The piece depicts a champagne bottle with gold cord, ensconced in an ice-filled bucket. The number of bottles being depicted in tree ornaments this year is legion. Made of blown glass that is painstakingly painted by hand, the Merck Family's Old World Christmas has issued A Toast to 2000 at $19.95. The bottle of champagne features a label inscribed "Fin de Siecle," or End of the Century, with "2000" written in raised gold lettering.

Christopher Radko, famous for designing and producing more than 5,000 blown-glass ornament designs, has issued a champagne bottle in blown glass. Radko ornaments are characterized by radiantly detailed hand-painting and complex shapes. His Times Square ornament features an 8-inch Times Square building with neon lighted marquis, streamers and balloons. Radko ornaments cost on average $30 to $75.

Mixing this same love of nostalgia and fantasy is Radko's Millennium Magic, which features snowmen wedged between the snow-covered numerals "2000." He also has a two-sided retro-styled watch ornament. Clutching the hands of a pocket watch is silent film star Harold Lloyd in green plaid sport coat and straw hat. On the opposite side you see Lloyd's legs suspended below the rim of the watch. The case reads, "Happy New 2000 Millennium."

Joining the numerical ranks is Kurt Adler, founder of a company that bears his name, a supplier of holiday ornaments, decorations and accessories. The company offers a Millennium Three Piece Box Set that contains three ornaments, each of which can be sold separately: one calendar is turned to a page marked Dec. 31, 1999, the second is a page turned to Jan. 1, 2000, both are priced at $20; the third ornament shows Santa holding a globe decorated with a sash that says "2000." It sells for $30; but the set, which comes in a handcrafted and hand-painted box, sells for $100.

No symbols are more identified with the New Year than Father Time and Baby New Year. Hallmark's Father Time is dated 1999. He's holding an hourglass, and Baby New Year's sash says "2000." Sturdy and expertly sculpted, this cast-resin ornament is $10.95.

For children, Hallmark has issued a Millennium Princess Barbie ornament for $15.95. Made of cast resin, the figure is nearly unbreakable and dressed in a sassy, flowing gown. Hallmark also has a paper gift box ornament labeled "Don't Open Till 2000." It has a clip that allows you to insert a tree light inside so the light will glow through the star shapes cut into the sides of the box.

For a more retro feel, there's a flirty Betty Boop, the original flapper of the '20s, who coquettishly poses in blown- and hand-painted glass. Made for the Polonaise Collection at Kurt Adler, this ornament is fun and jazzy in style, and retails for $37.50.

A dated ornament to commemorate 2000 is becoming more appealing as the minutes tick away toward New Year's Eve. The variety of collectible ornaments is so vast, you are sure to find one that reflects your take on the meaning of this global turning point. However you symbolize the event, it can mark a personal celebration that sparkles, shines and dazzles like the ornament you choose.

-----------------------------------------------------.

WHERE TO FIND ORNAMENTS

You'll find ornaments commemorating the millennium at many of your local stores. If you have a specific interest in ornaments mentioned in this story and are having trouble finding them, here are some ways to get more information:

-- Christopher Radko: To find a store near you call 800-717-2356; www.christopherradko.com

-- Hallmark: P.O. Box 419824, Kansas City, MO 64141; 800-425-5627; www.hallmark.com

-- Hand & Hammer: 2610 Morse Lane, Woodbridge, VA 22192; 800-745-8379; www.hand-hammer.com

-- Kurt Adler: 1107 Broadway, New York, NY 10010; 800-243-9627, Ext. 297; www.kurtadler.com

-- Lenox China and Gorham Silver: 100 Lenox Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648; 800-635-3669; www.lenox.com

-- Old World Christmas: P.O. Box 8000, Spokane, WA 99203; 800-962-7669

-- Waterford Wedgwood USA: 1330 Campus Parkway, P.O. Box 1454, Wall, NJ 07719; 732-938-5800; www.waterfordusa.com

-- Whitehurst Imports: 505 North St., Easton, MD 21601; 800-230-1225; www.whitehurst-imports.com