Date and Time - TBA

Lithuanian Straw Christmas Ornament Workshop

The unique straw ornaments, so typical of Lithuanian Christmas trees today, have an interesting origin. Juze Dauzvardis, the wife of Petras Dauzvardis, Consul General of Lithuania in Chicago (1961-71), was asked to decorate a Christmas tree with Lithuanian ornaments as part of an international Christmas tree exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Wanting to distinguish the Lithuanian tree from all others, Juze Dauzvardis with the help of Sisters of St. Casimir came up with the idea to use ornaments made of white paper drinking straws. The Lithuanian Christmas tree with its distinctive white ornaments became a great hit at the exhibition and drinking straw Christmas tree ornaments became a popular twist on an old Lithuanian tradition.

Learn how to make your own Lithuanian Christmas tree ornaments from white plastic drinking straws made into shapes of stars, the sun, snowflakes, bells, lanterns, and angels. Attendees are asked to bring their own scissors, a pencil and a ruler. A traditional Lithuanian Christmas Tree will be displayed.

Registration Information: TBA

Fee: TBA

Fee includes: straws, needle, thread, instruction sheet, and free admission to the Museum.  Please bring your own pencil, scissors and ruler.

Free parking available in the back of the Museum. See Directions to the Museum >

Please dowload a registration form and send it to the museum by Nov. 28: Straw Ornament Registration Form

For more information and registration, please call the Museum at 773-582-6500 or Email:info@balzekasmuseum.org

This program is made possible in part by Grants from the Illinois Arts Council, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the ECPC.