For over three decades, visitors to A Brandywine Christmas have enjoyed enchanting, whimsical "critter" ornaments. Each year in March, the "glue-gun gang" of 120 volunteers begins crafting these delightful ornaments from natural materials. By the late November opening of A Brandywine Christmas, they have made nearly 9,000 critters-both for display and for sale.

In honor of the 80th Radnor Hunt Races this year, the critters are off to the races too!  The new themed tree this holiday season, "Tally Ho," features horses with jockeys, jumping horses, rearing-up horses, carriages, hounds, fox, ladies with flowered hats and men with top hats, to name just a few of the unique ornaments made in celebration of the sport of horseracing. 

    Another featured tree will showcase critter athletes, including canoeists, kayakers, tennis players, golfers, skiers, soccer players and skaters. Also highlighted are critters inspired by characters from books by Dr. Seuss and by Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  An assortment of wildlife creatures, critter bears, musical performers and angels will adorn other trees while a whimsically decorated storybook tree will highlight critter characters from "Alice in Wonderland".

  Critters are the ideal gift, handmade ornaments that are environmentally friendly, distinctive and artistic. Don't miss annual Critter Sale on December 4 and 5.  All proceeds from the sale of critters benefit the Volunteers' Art Purchase Fund, which has added more than 200 paintings, drawings, and prints to the Museum's holdings since 1975.

All proceeds from the sale of the critters benefit the Volunteers' Art Purchase Fund, which has added more than 200 paintings, drawings and prints to the Museum's holdings since 1975.

Critters have adorned trees at the White House and the Smithsonian Institution. The first critters were created in 1972 by a group of volunteers who were asked to use natural materials decorate a small tree for display during A Brandywine Christmas using natural materials. The woods, fields, and roadsides near the museum were the volunteers' main resource. Those first ornaments were simple, unadorned pinecones, teasel pods, milkweed cases and dried flowers.

While the critters have become more elaborate and creative through the years, the basic ingredients are the same. It is the way the materials are put together that lends each critter its distinct character. Interesting shapes, colors, and textures are of primary importance.

Gathering plant materials is always done with conservation in mind. Plants are always cut, never pulled out by the roots. Seeds are shaken out of the seed head at the site, allowing future plants to germinate. Materials are carefully preserved and stored; what is not used one year is saved for the next.

Whether you want to see the critters at the Brandywine River Museum, purchased critters as holiday gifts, or make critters yourself, these creative and collectible critters will capture your heart!

Critter Sale
Critter Crew
Create a Critter

The critter display is part of A Brandywine Christmas, on view from November 26, 2010 to January 9, 2011.

The museum celebrates the season with fabulous holiday displays including an extensive O-gauge model railroad and a display of antique dolls.  Sponsored by the Snelling Group at Merrill Lynch, Herr Foods Inc., and the Freylinghuysen Foundation.