Trimming the holiday tree is a tradition for most retailers, and nothing is more typical of the decoration on that tree than dozens of colorful glass balls. Hung from hooks or ribbons, they reflect the light and make the tree delightfully festive.

This season, jewelry designers have embraced the concept of the hanging globe. Perhaps it’s the natural evolution of things to fill in the open-center round designs that have been popular for many months. While two-dimensional disks have been popular since pendants came roaring back into popularity this past summer, three-dimensional orbs are now being spotted in many a fashion spread.

It’s difficult to think of a more festive look. I commented on these earrings on my blog on introverts and extroverts back in November. Because these earrings swing so merrily, they are not the kind of earrings to be worn except on occasions when the wearer wants to be noticed. The longest earrings have the most movement, and therefore are the liveliest and the very merriest of the lot.

To put us all in the holiday mood, I am reproducing here a very festive page from the feature “Jewel Box” by Marion Fasel and Penny Proddow in the December 2007 issue of In Style magazine, with photos by Kevin Cremens, picturing a stunning assortment of dangling earrings, perfect for the holidays. The earrings are by House of Waris, Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co., DiModolo, Cynthia Bach, Bottega Veneta Fine Jewelry and De Grisogono, and one is more beautiful than the next. Santa, are you paying attention?

To all my readers, my best wishes for a very merry holiday season!

JCK