♥
Christmas is less than two weeks away, friends!
Going to the post office and mailing all my packages
yesterday made me feel like I'm done with the rushing
and ready to coast through to Christmas Day.
Anyway, that's not the point of today's post - I just wanted to make that observation. Truth is, as I type this I'm not sure that my post today really has a point. It's just that the only photos I've taken so far this week are of ornaments on our tree, so we'll just roll with that.
Decorating our tree is such a trip down memory lane! I could tell a tale about every one of our tree ornaments. It amazes me that I can't remember five items at the grocery store without a list, but I can tell you the story behind every ornament on our tree. How does that work?
Like this white plastic bird that I got five years ago from my mother-in-law's collection that looks super cool on our tree, but kind of cheesy in this photo {but I like the bokeh in this photo so it's on the blog}.
A few years ago I decided that I wanted a themed tree and I picked red. It was pretty, but it just wasn't me. I really missed our random mix of memory laden ornaments, and I will never go that route again. The little random pieces of history in each ornament is what makes a plain ol' pine tree our Christmas tree.
Some of these ornaments are older than Carrie. I made the mouse in the matchbox in '83, and the popsicle-stick sled in '82 {so glad I thought to add a date to the back of each one!}. The
A friend of ours who lost his wife this past year made the observation on Facebook the other day that the history of their Christmas ornaments is lost now that his wife is gone. It has me thinking of how personal an ornament collection is, and that a little mini-book design documenting some of the really special pieces we have on our tree could be in order this year. Especially since my shopping is done and I have time on my hands...
So what about you?
History in your ornaments?
Or a magazine-worthy pretty tree?
♥
18 comments:
a minialbum of the random pieces of history hanging on the tree is a wonderful idea
Oh, yes: a random collection of ornaments works for me too. I just wouldn't be without that mix - pretty things, gifts, hand me downs, school craft projects - I use them all. Your beautiful photos really add resonance to your words today. A lovely post.
Nice post. I wish I had some of the decs from my childhood
My mum would always buy one new decoration each year and I have them all safely packed away in tissue paper. Until I am sure that the dog can be trusted to leave the tree alone, they will stay safely wrapped!
Very disappointed you didn't include my favorite (the toy shop), but I like this post so I'll forgive you. Love the new bird one! <3
PS: Dan is a guy and I totally know the story behind all of your ornaments. ;)
What a fantastic idea..I'll be making an album of of ornaments since I'm the only one who knows about the history. Hopefully the boys will appreciate it! ;)
I think a mini book would be a great idea. Lots of our decorations have a history. I especially love the ones the kids made....though they now think they are a bit 'tacky' for the tree [wait til they have their own children and that will change!!].
Some of our Santas look a bit creepy as well....but I still love them.
I can't wait to see your mini album - I need to do that! We have so many ornaments with history on our tree - I love putting it up and recollecting each and every one. With my Dad, Mom and sister (only sibling) in Heaven - it's a teary-eyed tree decorating time, too. Sending hugs my friend! xoxo
My tree would never grace the pages of a magazine. But there isn't an ornament on there that doesn't at least belong to a specific child for a specific year! So... do I document all of them, or just the ones that I'll get to keep once my kids start having their own Christmas trees? Our "oldest" ornament is from 1984 - commemorating my first Christmas together with Jay. (And the first year I had a tree of my own).
Deb you always come up with great ideas. I'll be waiting for your tutorial, We always collect from vacation spots and some are not meant to be ornaments. Just add an eyelet or ribbon to a small toy and hang. My teenage boys love taking down their old McDonald toys down from the tree to play with them again.
Now that's a great idea about the mini-book - I am a great fan of recording details which might otherwise be lost. Your tree is full of life, lived :).
We have some that have to be used but it is a little treat for Gracie and me to go out and buy a few new ones every year and discard some of the shabbier ones x
I have a few ornaments that have meaning and I should also document them. I love the peek at your tree but more importantly, I'd love to be you at the moment - I feel so behind this year and am starting to get stressed! x
Love the idea of a mini album. Like you our decorations all of a history (well pretty well all) and theme trees just aren't for me. BTW, I can so relate to the comment about not remembering 5 items at the store but remember all the dec stories. :)
Our trees are full of memories too Deb...love the idea of the little book!
Alison xx
We have a huge and eclectic collection of ornaments. I should document some of them - especially the less obvious ones. Henry and his girl friend and her best friend decorated our tree this year, and it was fun to tell them about many of them. My own personal favorite is the construction paper Santa star I made in kindergarten!
Rinda
Even before I got to your last paragraph, I knew I should do a mini-book about the history of our ornaments. I'm planning to do one of my jewelry for Sarah, who likely will inherit it all!
Deb - I feel the same as you. In years past, I have gone with themed trees, but always missed my "hodge podge" tree. Last year I had just moved, so I basically threw up a tree. This year? I put up my mish/mash, hodge podge tree and really enjoyed looking at each ornament and remembering the history behind it. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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