It is December in North Texas. If you walk into any Hobby Lobby or Target in Plano or Arlington, you’re going to see a sea of silver and blue. But here is the thing: finding the right Dallas Cowboys Christmas balls isn't as simple as grabbing a pack of generic plastic spheres. Most fans think they can just run out on December 20th and find the good ones. They’re wrong.
The secondary market for team-specific glass ornaments has exploded. Honestly, it’s kinda wild. You have the official NFL Shop versions, which are fine, but then you have the Christopher Radko collectibles or the Old World Christmas hand-blown glass pieces that collectors hunt like they're looking for a Super Bowl ticket. If you're looking for that iconic star to hang on a branch, you're competing with a fanbase that spans the entire globe. It’s "America’s Team" for a reason, and that translates to a massive shortage of quality decor every single winter.
What Most People Get Wrong About Cowboys Ornaments
Most folks assume a blue ball with a star on it is a Cowboys ornament. Technically, sure. But if you're a die-hard, you know the difference between the "Royal Blue" of the 90s and the "Navy" that dominates modern branding.
Getting the hex codes right matters to the people who take their "Cowboys Tree" seriously. Usually, the cheap plastic multipacks you find at big-box retailers use a generic blue that doesn't actually match the jerseys. If you want the real deal, you have to look for the satin-finish shatterproof sets or the high-end mercury glass. Mercury glass gives you that vintage, 1970s Tom Landry era vibe that plastic just can’t replicate.
The Shatterproof vs. Glass Debate
Let's talk logistics. If you have kids or a cat that thinks the Christmas tree is a climbing gym, stay away from the glass. Period. You’ll find beautiful hand-painted Dallas Cowboys Christmas balls made of delicate glass, but they won't last a week in a high-traffic house.
On the flip side, the shatterproof ones used to look cheap. They had those visible seams down the middle that just looked tacky. Luckily, manufacturing has gotten better. You can now find "seamless" poly-material ornaments that mimic the shine of glass without the inevitable heartbreak of picking shards out of the carpet. Hallmark has been a big player here, often releasing Keepsake versions that are durable but still look premium.
💡 You might also like: Cooper City FL Zip Codes: What Moving Here Is Actually Like
Why the "Star" Design is Such a Pain for Manufacturers
You’d think putting a five-pointed star on a round ball would be easy. It isn't. Because the ornament is spherical, a flat star decal will often wrinkle or distort at the edges. This is why you’ll notice that the best Dallas Cowboys Christmas balls often feature the star inside a circle or use a smaller, repeated pattern rather than one massive logo.
Higher-end brands like Kurt Adler solve this by using glitter-embossed stars. The texture hides the curvature issues. If you’re looking at an ornament and the star looks "stretched" or "fat," it’s probably a knockoff or a low-quality production run. Real fans notice that stuff. You want the sharp, crisp lines that represent the franchise properly.
Where the Collectors Are Actually Buying
Forget the mall. Seriously.
If you want the unique stuff—the vintage 1990s sets or the limited edition player-specific balls—you have to hit the niche markets.
- eBay: This is the Wild West. You can find "New Old Stock" (NOS) from the early 2000s.
- Etsy: This is where you get the customized stuff. Want your last name on a Cowboys ball? This is the place.
- Local Estate Sales: In the DFW area, you’d be shocked at the sports memorabilia that turns up in Highland Park or Frisco estate sales. People move, they downsize, and suddenly a 20-piece set of vintage glass Cowboys ornaments is sitting on a folding table for five bucks.
The Secret to a Balanced Cowboys Tree
Don't just buy twenty identical blue balls. That's boring. It looks like a display in a department store. A real fan's tree tells a story.
📖 Related: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
Mix your Dallas Cowboys Christmas balls with other textures. Toss in some silver tinsel to represent the helmets. Use white lights—never multi-colored—to keep that clean, professional aesthetic. Honestly, some of the best-looking trees use a mix of matte, shiny, and glittered ornaments all in the same shade of navy. It adds depth.
You should also look for "dated" ornaments. Getting a new ball every year with the year stamped on it is a great way to track your life as a fan. You’ll look at the 2023 ball and remember a specific game, a specific win, or a specific "we'll get 'em next year" moment.
Spotting the Fakes and Cheap Knockoffs
With the popularity of the team, the market is flooded with unlicensed gear. Usually, you can tell by the blue. If it looks a little purple, walk away.
Another giveaway is the weight. A quality Dallas Cowboys Christmas ball should have some heft to it, even if it's plastic. If it feels like a ping-pong ball, the paint is going to flake off by next year. Look for the "Officially Licensed" hologram on the packaging. It’s not just about supporting the league; it’s about ensuring the colors are actually the ones the team wears on Sundays.
Maintenance and Storage
Stop throwing your ornaments into a cardboard box. Just stop.
👉 See also: Marie Kondo The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: What Most People Get Wrong
The salt from your skin can actually degrade the finish on some of the cheaper silver-painted balls over time. Wipe them down with a dry microfiber cloth before you pack them away. Use a dedicated ornament organizer with cardboard or foam dividers. If the balls rub against each other for eleven months in a hot Texas attic, the logos are going to scratch. And there is nothing sadder than a Cowboys star with a giant scratch through the middle of it.
The Best Time to Buy (It’s Not When You Think)
Everyone thinks the day after Christmas is the time to score deals. For generic ornaments? Sure. For Cowboys gear? Not necessarily.
Because the Cowboys are often in the playoff hunt in late December and January, their merchandise stays at full price longer than other teams. If they’re winning, the demand goes up, not down. The actual "sweet spot" for buying Dallas Cowboys Christmas balls is usually mid-July. This is when retailers are clearing out old warehouse stock to make room for the new season's apparel. Search for "Christmas in July" sales on fan sites. You can often find premium glass sets for 50% off because nobody is thinking about snow when it’s 105 degrees outside in Dallas.
DIY Options for the Creative Fan
If you can't find the exact style you want, you can actually make your own. Buy high-quality plain navy glass balls. Go to a craft store and get some silver vinyl or high-quality star stickers.
Apply the star, then seal it with a clear acrylic spray. It sounds like a lot of work, but it allows you to get the exact shade of blue you want. Plus, it’s a fun project to do while watching the Thanksgiving game. Just make sure the surface of the ball is completely clean before you apply anything, or it'll bubble and peel before the New Year.
Actionable Steps for Your Holiday Decor
If you're ready to upgrade your tree, don't just wing it.
- Audit your current stash: Check for fading or peeling on your old ornaments. If the blue is turning grey, it’s time to retire them.
- Prioritize the "Hero" ornaments: Spend more on 3 or 4 high-quality glass or licensed "keepsake" balls. These should be placed at eye level.
- Fill with "Bulk" blue: Use cheaper, shatterproof navy and silver balls for the back of the tree or the lower branches. It creates a sense of fullness without breaking the bank.
- Secure the hooks: Cowboys ornaments tend to be slightly heavier than standard ones. Use pliers to crimp the wire hooks around the branch so they don't slide off during a rowdy touchdown celebration.
- Check the official Pro Shop first: Before hitting resellers, check the official Cowboys Pro Shop online. They often have exclusive designs that aren't sent to general retailers like Walmart.
Getting your tree right is a point of pride. It’s an extension of your fan cave. By focusing on quality materials and the correct color matching, you ensure that your holiday display looks as professional as the star on the 50-yard line.