One Bauble at a Time – Our Big Ambition for Bethlehem

After many years of our traditional round baubles, we’ve introduced a new teardrop shape for 2026. We love them – they’re elegant, a little different, and look so great hanging on the tree. And, as always, the designs will change again next year.

Behind the new collection, though, our purpose remains exactly the same: to make beautiful, sustainable Christmas decorations where the story of Christmas comes from.

Our baubles begin life as discarded window panes, bottles and other glass, which are melted down and handblown by skilled glassblowers in Hebron. They are then painted, finished and packed in and around Bethlehem. It’s a wonderfully simple process that gives old glass a new life while helping to sustain a traditional local craft that has been practised for generations.

It has been another incredibly difficult year for our artisans and their families. Whatever is happening in the wider world, we stay focused on the job we set out to do: to create work and provide a reliable income for the people who make our baubles.

And the way we do that is very simple. We sell baubles. The more we sell, the more we can order. The more we order, the more work we can create.

We now have our own warehouse and website in the USA, which is a really exciting step for us. Our long-term dream is to have all five of the glassblowing workshops we work with in Hebron busy throughout the year, alongside a team in Bethlehem painting, finishing, packing and organising everything that goes with getting each bauble from their hands to your Christmas tree.

So we’ve set ourselves a rather ambitious target: 40,000 baubles a year.

Why not?

There are certainly more than 40,000 families celebrating Christmas every year! We don’t need everyone to buy lots. If enough people simply choose one new Bethlehem Bauble each Christmas, we can keep placing orders, keep people working year-round and help keep this ancient craft alive.

Our biggest challenge is simply that not enough people know about us yet.

So if you already have a Bethlehem Bauble hanging on your tree, please tell a friend about us. Give one as a present. Share what we’re doing. Or simply add this year’s design to your collection.

In a world of mass-produced Christmas decorations, we think there’s something rather special about choosing one that is handmade from recycled glass, supports a traditional craft and provides employment for local families – all in the place where the story of Christmas comes from.

40,000 baubles. Why not? With your help, we might just get there.

Ros Pollock/Founder