About Christmas Lapel Pins

A miniature ornament holds promise as a Christmas lapel pin.

Lapel pins offer an inexpensive way to express an opinion or support a cause. While commemorative lapel pins recall a special event or achievement, Christmas lapel pins carry the spirit of the season wherever the wearer goes. Whether you opt for secular or religious Christmas images, you'll find lapel pins available to deliver the sentiment. Those with a creative bent may find even more pleasure in creating their own pins.

History

Lapel pins came to prominence during the American Civil War as a way for members of different units to identify each other and build unity among members of the same unit, according to the Jewelry Designers Resource Center. By World War I, pins honored accomplishments on the battlefield and identified arenas of battle. Today lapel pins serve beyond the military as a way to show the wearer's company, social affiliations, favorite sports teams or preferred causes.

Location

Both men and women wear lapel pins, although not always on the lapel. As work attire goes casual, lapel pins appear on shirtsleeves, collar ends and over the heart. After working hours, wear the pins on ball caps as alternatives to a jacket lapel.

Material

Lapel pins consist of a decorative face mounted on a pin and a pinch-release closure back. The back grips the pin to secure it to the garment. The decorative front may be formed from metal, plastic, enamel, fabric or a combination of materials. Metal forms the mounting, the pin and the back.

Types

Secular Christmas pins feature such traditional designs as wreaths, trees, ornaments, snowmen or candy canes. Santa faces suit lapel pins well, as do depictions of tiny wrapped gifts. Holiday messages such as "Happy Holidays" or "Ho Ho Ho" fit a secular Christmas lapel pin.

Religious pins lean more to an inspirational message such as "Jesus Is the Reason for the Season" and images related to the Christmas story. Pin designers use iconic shapes such as a stylized Star of Bethlehem or an angel to portray the season.

Handcrafting

The commercial availability of pin hardware makes crafting a personal Christmas lapel pin a simple project. Secure the desired decorative item to the flat head of the lapel pin blank with jeweler's glue. Allow the pin to dry thoroughly before affixing the backing to avoid gluing it to the pin.

References

• Jewelry Designers Resource Center: The History of Lapel Pins
• Custom Lapel Pins Store: History of Lapel Pins
• Knights of Columbus: Christ is Christmas Lapel Pins

Resources

• FreeVintageCrochet: Mr. and Mrs. Santa Lapel Pins