Willow Tree Figurines: Where to Buy, 50th Anniversary, and Gifting FAQs

I'm the office administrator for a 150-person company, and in 2022 I took over ordering for employee milestones, client thank-yous, and the annual holiday gifts. Since then I've processed roughly 200 gift orders, and Willow Tree has been the one product line our finance team never asks for an explanation on. People know the figures. They just don't always know where to buy them, what they're made of, or why one "anniversary" piece costs more than another. These are the questions that actually come up.

• Where do I buy Willow Tree figurines?
• Are Willow Tree figurines porcelain or china?
• What is the Willow Tree 50th anniversary piece?
• Which Willow Tree figurines are best for corporate gifts?
• Can you make a candle in a glass jar?

Willow Tree Figurines: Where to Buy Them

Start with Demdaco's official store locator. Demdaco is the parent company, and their website lists authorized Willow Tree retailers. That's the fastest answer to "willow tree figurines where to buy" without scrolling through third-party marketplaces.

For online orders, I use the store locator first, then compare with Amazon if I need faster delivery. If you're ordering for a business, I'd recommend setting up an account directly with Demdaco or a distributor. In our 2024 vendor consolidation project, we moved from four gift suppliers to one authorized Willow Tree distributor. It cut our ordering time from about 12 hours per quarter to 4, and the invoicing finally matched what I expected. If you'll be ordering more than a few times a year, going through an authorized distributor is a no-brainer.

What most people don't realize is that where you buy matters less than whether the seller is authorized. An unauthorized reseller can have an authentic piece, but you'll miss out on the original packaging and the exchange process if it arrives chipped. That's a deal-breaker when you're sending gifts directly to clients.

(As of January 2025, according to USPS pricing at usps.com/stamps, a First-Class Mail large envelope starts at $1.50 for 1 oz. For a 4 oz figurine in a box, Ground Advantage is more complicated and zone-based. If you're shipping multiple pieces, ask your distributor about drop-shipping instead.)

Are Willow Tree Figurines Porcelain or China?

Short answer: no. They're resin, specifically a stone-resin blend, cast from an original Susan Lordi sculpture and painted by hand. So if someone searches for a "porcelain figurine" or "china figurine," Willow Tree won't be what they find. That's surprising to people because the matte finish makes them look like carved ceramic.

The assumption is that porcelain means better quality. The reality is that resin is the right material for this product. It's lighter, more durable in transit, and lets the artist preserve a softer, carved expression. Per FTC guidelines (ftc.gov), calling a resin product "porcelain" would also be a mislabeled claim. So if a retailer tries to sell you on the "porcelain-like" finish, that's a red flag—not because the product is bad, but because they're describing it wrong.

If you specifically want a porcelain figurine, look at established porcelain manufacturers instead. Willow Tree is the wrong category. If you want the sentiment and the Susan Lordi style, buy the resin piece and don't worry about the material label.

What Is the Willow Tree 50th Anniversary Piece?

This comes up every time an employee's parents hit a milestone. There isn't a single "50th Anniversary Collection" on Willow Tree's website. What exists are anniversary-themed pieces, and the 50th anniversary cross is the one I've ordered most. I've also seen a few heart ornaments from authorized gift shops tagged with the same milestone.

If a seller advertises "the complete Willow Tree 50th anniversary collection," that's a red flag. The line is broad, and retailers choose which pieces to tag for anniversaries. For a 50th, I'd look for pieces that pair with the couple's story—maybe a tree, a pair of birds, or a kneeling angel if that's their tradition. The meaning matters more than an exact item number. (Note to self: I still need to write up our anniversary order checklist. I keep meaning to do it.)

Which Willow Tree Figurines Work for Corporate Gifts?

As an admin buyer, I care about three things: does the piece look appropriate, will it survive shipping, and will the recipient actually put it on their desk? These are the pieces that pass all three for us:

• Together – for partnerships, mergers, and milestone anniversaries.
• New Home – for relocations or a client starting a new office.
• Grateful – for a thank-you that isn't too sentimental.
• Celebrate – for retirements and service awards.

If you're buying for a company, the "figurines where to buy" question is tied to process, not just product. We consolidated our orders with one distributor, and the automated reorder list saved us a ton of time. Digital catalogs are another efficiency win—I can share a link with our CEO, and she can pick options without ever having to chase me down.

This worked for us because we're a steady B2B office with predictable gifting cycles. If your company has a lot of seasonal spikes, the calculus might be different. In that case, a distributor with a rush ordering option is probably worth the slightly higher price.

Can You Make a Candle in a Glass Jar?

This one sounds off-topic, but I get it from the HR team whenever we assemble gift sets for new mothers and retirees. Yes, you can absolutely make a candle in a glass jar. Just don't use a jar that's too thin, has hairline cracks, or narrows at the top. Candle wax gets hot, and if the glass isn't made for heat, it can shatter. Straight-sided canning jars work well. Leave at least half an inch of space at the top, and choose a wick that fits the jar's diameter.

For the holidays, a handmade candle in a glass jar next to a small Willow Tree ornament is a really thoughtful combination. But for 50 corporate gifts, I'd rather buy candles from a supplier who has liability insurance than make them myself. Bottom line: DIY is nice for a one-off, not for a production run.

(And if you do make candles, don't let the wick anchor touch the bottom. That's the mistake I made on the first batch, and it looked fine until you tried to light it.)