Tree-topper

A tree-topper or treetopper is a decorative ornament placed on the top (or "crown") of a Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush. Tree-toppers can take any form, but the most common shape is that of an Angel (a "Christmas angel"); tree-toppers shaped as stars (representing the "Christmas star" or the Star of David) or finials are also common. Other less common tree-toppers include , ribbon bows, Father Christmases or Santa Clauses, Christian crosses, owls, and sunbursts.

Tree-toppers may be made of blown glass, metal, or plastic, among other materials. Plastic tree-toppers are often electric and once connected with the tree's lights glow from within. Following World War II, various symbols of Christmastide, such as Santa Claus, were introduced as electrified tree-toppers.

Hans Christian Andersen's short story of "The Fir-Tree" describes the decoration of a Danish Christmas tree, including its topper, thus:

"On one branch there hung little nets cut out of colored paper, and each net was filled with sugarplums; and among the other boughs gilded apples and walnuts were suspended, looking as though they had grown there, and little blue and white tapers were placed among the leaves. Dolls that looked for all the world like men—the Tree had never beheld such before—were seen among the foliage, and at the very top a large star of gold tinsel was fixed."

Use of a Christmas angel as a tree-topper represents to some the angel Gabriel from the Nativity of Jesus:

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary."

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