It all started about fifteen years ago. Thomas Bader started a tradition: every year during Advent, friends, neighbours, relatives and acquaintances were invited to a big Christmas party. It wasn't just the size of the tree that grew from year to year - I still remember well how we were asked by passers-by one day when we were taking down the not-so-fresh, but still quite impressive piece, whether we had got it from a church. The decorations in the old flat also became more and more lavish and that was no coincidence:

Because a simple party with mulled wine, Burgundy ham and coleslaw might have been too boring, the motto went out to the guests: everyone had to bring a piece of "Christmas kitsch" - as an entry ticket, so to speak. The invited guests really got down to business. A kind of competition ensued; who would bring the most hideous, sorry, the most beautiful piece? Who would bring the biggest?

However, when the gift frenzy of one Advent got out of hand, gigantic electric locomotives were dragged into the flat, where I was now also at home, and in the end not a single socket was left without fairy lights or other electronic gadgets, we realised: next year it had to be different.

We changed the motto. From then on, Christmas tree decorations made of glass in every colour and shape opened the large white wooden door in the Jungfernstieg to the party guests. The most unusual glass figures were honoured in a competition - and a passion was born.

It came as it had to come. We moved house. There was one more Christmas party in the new house, then things quietened down for the time being with the births of the children. But our interest was awakened. Every year we added new glass treasures to our colourful Christmas tree until we came across a hand-blown, hand-painted glass sumo wrestler last year.

We were thrilled and started to investigate. Does it actually exist...? was our question in our search for extravagant glass figurines and the answers we got still put a big smile on our faces.

Yes, there is a wonderful world, a whole universe of "Christmas tree baubles", as we continue to call the figurines to this day, despite the variety of shapes. Unfortunately, there are far too few of them to be found in the shops. What would it be like if...? Couldn't we do it ourselves...? Only those who dare can win... Our entrepreneurial spirit was awakened!

And after busy months of planning and preparation, we are delighted that we can now actually share our passion with you at Kugelrausch and supply you with high-quality, unique items.

Oh yes, next year we also want to revive our Christmas party tradition. The only thing we might need to think about is a new motto...