The Beatles have been decorating Christmas trees ever since 1964. That's when an Italian company released a set of 4 blown glass ornaments representing John, Paul, George and Ringo. The set, manufactured by Marteli, was released with the Fab Four in their original suits. Sets came in a variety of colors including hot pink and orange. But the most popular set was painted with blue outfits as that most represented the way the group looked from their visits to The Ed Sullivan Show.
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Since the release of that first quartet of ornaments, countless baubles starring the band have been released by many different manufacturers. My top 3 favorites is a glass Christopher Radko decoration that looks like the green Apple Records apple with the Beatles recreating their iconic Abbey Road crossing, a Charlton Cards depiction of the Beatles in their animated cartoon selves from their 1965-66 ABC Saturday morning series and one of a plastic TV set showing a photo of the band in concert from Kurt S. Adler.
As for the fan made ornaments, I want to give an honorable mention to a set of 4 hand-painted peg doll trinkets. Decorated to look like their Sgt. Pepper likenesses, this set is available on Etsy from a seller known as florenceandbelle. I just love it because they look like Fisher Price Little People figures.
Lastly, I want to pay tribute to the late leader of the group, John Lennon. Ornamentshop.com sells a roughly 4 inch tall resin version of John in his iconic 1974 New York City tank top and classic round sunglasses. Based on the photo shoot by Bob Gruen.
Unfortunately, the pop culture random generator didn't pick the Beatles for day 8 of my Advent. That's because on December 8th, 1980 a deranged gunman shot and killed Lennon in front of his New York apartment home. Had fate chosen the 8th day of my Advent to represent the Beatles, I think I would be completely freaked out by the coincidence...
As my Advent present for you today, here's a video highlighting the Beatles 1964 Christmas record. Members of the Beatles fan club were treated annually for several years with an exclusive 45 that featured messages from the band along with snippets of songs and comedic bits. A total of 7 records were released along with a LP comprising all 7 holiday treats in 1970 coinciding with the band's break-up earlier that year.
The record I am sharing with you is their 1964 sophomore release, Another Beatles Christmas Record.
Enjoy.
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