For those interested in buying antique ornaments, the experts have a few tips:

• Be wary of reproductions.

While many were created not to deceive but to pay tribute to the originals, there are unscrupulous people who will try to pass off a clever fake. At www.vintagechristmas.com, the advice is first and foremost to be sure of your source.

"Buy from a dealer who knows Christmas ornaments. Generalists who are just reselling a few items may themselves be unable to tell originals from the reproductions," the site warns.

• Read up on the subject.

"I have well over 100 books on nothing but antique Christmas items that I constantly refer back to," said Michael Rhoades, past president of Golden Glow, an organization of antique ornament collectors.

• If an antique ornament is in pristine condition, that's a red flag. As a rule, people weren't particularly careful handling ornaments.

Baubles were hung with metal hooks that often left scratches.

They often were wrapped in acidic newspaper and cardboard, and stored in attics or basements where they were subject to the ravages of humidity, insects, rodents and, above all, time.

• If you're buying from an Internet source, vet it by asking to check with previous buyers or by consulting an ornament collectors club.

• "People should buy what they love, not what they hope will increase in value," said Boston-area appraiser Irene Austin-Gillis.