As I was sipping my tea and looking at all the ornaments on our tree, I began thinking about each one and it brought back many wonderful memories. We have never had a tree that you’d see in fancy home decor magazines. In fact, we’ve collected so many ornaments over the years that I no longer put on anything but lights and ornaments (the garland just seemed to get in the way). This year the kids helped hang the ornaments and, although their spacing isn’t necessarily the way I’d have done it, I love it!
That’s 49 years of ornament accumulation! Some of the more recent ones were made by grandkids.
I think my favorite grandchild ornatment would have to be the one Trey made us last year with Shrinky Dinks™.
Some of our other ornaments were made by my grandmother ~ and I treasure them.
A few were from Mike’s childhood – like his glass astronaut.
This is another of Mike’s favorites. When we were first married he told me José used to have pipe cleaner arms and legs. I told him I didn’t think he was very Christmassy and perhaps since he was missing parts, we should get rid of him. That became a family “battle” ~ and our kids and grandkids have all taken his side. I still make my comment every year, just for the response. Everyone loves José (even me).
I have a few favorites that I’ve purchased at craft fairs over the years. The tiny sleeping gnome is in a walnut shell bed!
And some I made to sell in craft fairs years ago. I put together the honey bear from purchased parts and wrote on his honey pot. Then the honey was added with a hot glue made for wood. They sold well. The other big seller was the Dairy Christmas cow. I had a booth at the Dairy Convention in Madison for 2 years. It’s my own design and they were a hit!
Others I didn’t sell, but made for us. The Santa spoon was fun to paint, and I made quite a few for family and friends.
We have many from places we’ve visited: Holland, Italy,
Hawaii and Estonia, just to share a few.
A friend made this for me and I still marvel at the workmanship. It’s only 2 1/2″ square.
We have many ornaments that focus on the real reason for Christmas, and this is my favorite.
I hope you’re enjoying preparing your tree, home and heart for Christmas!
Laura K says
I love putting up the ornaments. So many great memories. Brayden helped me this year and I told him all of the stories. Your tree is beautiful!
Jodi Grzeczka says
Chris, I love this stroll down Memory Lane. Be cause of many unfortunate circumstances, I don’t have that legacy. But yours is beautiful! Thanks for the commentary. It couldn’t have been better if I’d been sitting there with a cup of cocoa!
Doris Ast says
I have a few ornaments that are about seventy years old and many that are over 50 years old.
I noticed the propeller above the doorway. My late husband had one like that and not so long ago I gave it to my son for his “hangar room.”
Eileen says
I love this post! Jose’ is charming and made me smile! Every ornament is charming, really, and your heartfelt story is wonderful. I too feel like I’ve sat with you over hot chocolate, as Jodi wrote in an earlier comment. PS – I received a “cow ornament” one year that had the caption, “Have a Mooey Christmas!” LOL
Y says
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas
Lorraine Bahr says
I taught elementary school for 34 years. Our tree is covered with ornaments I received from students over the years, going back to the late 1970s. Some of them are handmade and some purchased. I often wrote the students’ name and year received on the back of the ornament or on the box. Seeing their names brings back many happy memories of my teaching years.
Bob Ignaszak says
I love your post and pictures! I have so many ornaments that I have more than one tree. One is Santa, elves and snowmen. The big tree is heirloom and musical ornaments that we have collected….yes a lot of violins, but others as well. I have a whole bin of Hallmark Star Trek and Star Wars ornaments that will get used again someday.
Have a blessed Christmas!