Are Ceramic Ornaments Breakable? Six Materials Compared

Yes, ceramic ornaments are breakable. Ceramic is hard but brittle: a drop onto tile or wood flooring can chip or crack it, and it can break into sharp pieces. Acrylic, wood, fabric and crochet ornaments are the ones that will not shatter, which makes them the easier choice for a tree that small children or pets can reach.

Here is how each common ornament material behaves: breakage, kids and pets, shipping, writing on it, and cleaning.

Ceramic ornaments

Does it break? Yes. Edges and points chip first; a fall onto a hard floor can crack it through. A soft landing on carpet or a rug may leave it whole.
Kids and pets: Hang it high, out of reach of tails and small hands, and away from the bottom branches.
Shipping: Needs its own box and padding on every side.
Writing on it: A glazed surface is smooth and not absorbent, so ordinary ink tends to smear. Paint markers work better. Test on the back first.

As an example of what a printed ceramic ornament is: the shop’s star name ornament is listed as a smooth white ceramic surface, UV printed on both sides, about 2.7 by 2.7 inches, with a pre-drilled hole and a hanging string. Its care note says to handle it carefully and avoid strong impacts.

Glass ornaments

Does it break? Yes. Thin blown-glass balls are the most fragile ornaments on most trees. Thick flat glass is sturdier but will still crack if dropped on a hard surface.
Kids and pets: Broken glass is the main hazard. Keep it on the upper branches, or skip it for a year or two.
Shipping: Box, padding, and nothing touching it.
Writing on it: Paint markers made for glass work on a clean, dry surface.
Cleaning: Dust with a soft, dry cloth.

The shop’s family name glass ornament, for instance, is a flat round of crystal glass about 2.76 inches across and 0.24 inches thick, printed on one side. Its care note says to wipe it gently with a soft, dry cloth and avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners and sharp objects that could scratch the glass or the print.

Are acrylic ornaments breakable?

Not in the way glass is. Acrylic is a plastic, also called acrylic glass or PMMA, and it is often used as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass, at roughly half its weight. A normal fall from the tree will not shatter it. A thin piece can still crack or chip if it is bent, stepped on or dropped hard on a corner.

The trade-off is scratching. Acrylic is softer than glass and scratches more easily, so it needs gentle cleaning (see below).

Kids and pets: A good choice, with one caution: check for small metal rings, dangling charms or loose hangers, which are small enough to swallow.
Shipping: Light and flat. A padded envelope or a slim box is usually enough.
Writing on it: Paint markers grip best. Some acrylic ornaments arrive with a protective film on the surface, which needs to come off first.

What is an acrylic ornament, and what is a 2D acrylic ornament?

An acrylic ornament is a flat piece of clear acrylic, cut to a shape and printed with a design. “2D” means the picture is printed flat on the surface rather than raised or layered. The shop’s acrylic ornaments are listed at about 3 to 4 mm thick, and its snowman ornament listing describes the style this way: clear acrylic about 3 mm thick, a “flat 2D printed design with a visible clear acrylic border,” and artwork that is “flat 2D printing, not raised 3D artwork.” So, yes, most acrylic ornaments are flat.

Wood ornaments

Does it break? Rarely. Thin plywood can snap at a narrow point if bent or stepped on, but a fall from the tree will not hurt it.
Kids and pets: One of the safest choices. A puppy may chew it, so keep it off the lowest branches.
Shipping: Light and flat, like acrylic.
Writing on it: Raw wood takes permanent markers and paint pens well. Ink can bleed along the grain, so press lightly.
Cleaning: Wipe with a soft, dry cloth. Keep it away from water.

The shop’s Growing Old Together ornament is 3 mm ash plywood with printed artwork; the listing notes that the characters are “printed, not physically raised or sculpted,” and advises avoiding prolonged moisture and prolonged direct sunlight to help preserve the printed colors.

Fabric and embroidered ornaments

Does it break? No. An embroidered hoop can crack its wooden or plastic frame if crushed, but the stitching itself survives a fall.
Kids and pets: Safe to drop. Cats may claw at loose threads or ribbon.
Shipping: Easy. Keep it flat so the fabric does not crease.
Writing on it: Use a fabric marker on plain fabric. The stitched area is not a writing surface.
Cleaning: Dust it. Spot clean a mark with a barely damp cloth, then let it dry flat. Do not soak a piece with a frame or backing.

Crochet ornaments

Does it break? No. It will squash under weight, then fluff back with a little shaping.
Kids and pets: Nothing to shatter, but check for safety eyes, beads, bells or wire, and keep crochet ornaments out of reach of pets that chew yarn.
Shipping: Light. A box keeps it from being crushed.
Writing on it: Not really. Tie on a small wooden or paper tag instead.
Cleaning: Usually spot cleaning. Our guide to cleaning crochet ornaments covers it step by step.

How to clean ceramic ornaments

Dust with a soft, dry cloth or a clean, soft brush.
For a sticky mark on a glazed ornament, wipe the spot with a cloth that is barely damp, then dry it straight away. Keep water out of the hanging hole.
Do not soak it, scrub it or use abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals. They can dull a glossy finish and wear away printed or painted designs. The shop’s ceramic listings give the same advice.
Unglazed or hand-painted ceramic should only be dusted, because water can lift unsealed paint.

For acrylic, use the same soft cloth. Avoid glass cleaner: ammonium-based glass cleaners, and most products stronger than soap and water, can cause fine cracks called crazing in acrylic, according to the PMMA overview. Never use a paper towel or a scouring pad on it.

Quick answers

Are ceramic ornaments breakable? Yes. They chip or crack if dropped on a hard floor.
Will acrylic ornaments break? Rarely. Acrylic resists shattering but scratches more easily than glass.
Are acrylic ornaments flat? Most are: a flat cut sheet with a printed design.
Most kid- and pet-friendly ornament? Wood, fabric or crochet, without small loose parts.
How do you clean a ceramic ornament? Dust with a soft, dry cloth; no soaking and no abrasive cleaners.

Packing ornaments away after the holidays? See how to store Christmas ornaments.

From the shop

To compare materials in person, browse the ceramic star name ornament, the acrylic snowman ornament or the family name glass ornament.