FOR many of us, Christmas trees feature decorations handed down across the years, some like to have a new theme every year, and others like to add thoughtfully chosen items to the collections.
And a new trend is for ornaments to add to the branches of the festive fir: forget simple baubles, humble fairies or old angels, these are bright, bold statements of love for … well, everything really.
Topping the tree in Reading is a 3D model of Harold II, one of several festive decorations on sale in the museum’s shop.
It is modelled on his appearance on the Bayeaux Tapestry, a replica of which – without the naughty bits – is on display in Reading Museum.
And it has been selling like hot cakes that King Alfred once burnt.
So much so it’s been flying off the shelves faster than that arrow lodged in Harold’s eye.
A spokesperson for the museum said: “Reading Museum’s Harold ll decoration has proved to be the true unsung hero of festive storytelling.
“In his gold, silver, green, and red attire, arrow wedged in his eye, he has flown off the shelves faster than you can say 1066.”
They are delighted with the sales of the little fella that will be a festive feature in Ding homes for years to come.
“We think his success is attributable to the fact he is both a conversation starter and a history lesson all wrapped into one special Christmas gift,” the spokesperson said.
“When your festive guests ask about the man sat in the tree with the arrow in his eye, residents lucky enough to have one can casually say it’s King Harold Godwinson, who features in the Bayeux Tapestry at Reading Museum and was a key player in possibly the most famous battle in British history.”
Anyone looking for their own historical bauble is in luck, despite the early sell-out.
“Harold and William the Conqueror decorations will be back in stock soon along with Queen Matilda,” the spokesperson said.
“Two other local favourites are also available in the form of Oscar Wilde of Reading Gaol fame, and Jane Austen who famously attended Reading Ladies Boarding School.”
And buying the decorations does more than just help keep the Blagrave Street museum open.
“The real magic is that many of the gifts in the Reading Museum shop are fairtrade,” the spokesperson explained.
“The tree decorations use the Zarzi embroidery method, a traditional Indian technique passed down through generations, which ensures a high level of craftsmanship and also helps preserve traditional skills.”
For more details, or to keep an eye on stock levels, log on to: https://reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com/
And for more on the museum’s replica Bayeux Tapestry, log on to: https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/collections/britains-bayeux-tapestry
