A matte aqua-blue glass ball with rust-brown antiquing rubbed across it, so it looks like something found in a grandmother's box rather than bought this year. The finish is flat, not shiny: it soaks up light instead of bouncing it, which gives a tree a quieter, older register next to glossy balls.

Four inches across, with an embossed brass-tone cap, a wire ring and a green satin ribbon. It belongs with copper, moss green, cream and natural wood, and it is the easiest way to make a new tree look settled.