An electronic ornament that can be worn or attached to or suspended from an object has an LED matrix (21) capable of displaying a user-selected message from a preprogrammed set of graphic symbols or a user-programmed arbitrary pattern or animation. A safety pin (31) or other fastener (34) attaches the ornament to a wearer or to an object, making the display readable by others during conversations and gatherings from a distance of several meters. The user can select the message or pattern using only two buttons (28) and (29), and the selection is retained even when battery (25) is removed. The LED display (21) scrolls messages horizontally such that more than one average text character but less than one average word is visible at a time, making the display surprisingly readable yet economical and small enough to make it easy to wear or use as a lightweight ornament.