Christmas traditions to start {how ornaments retell the story of our lives}

A night of memory making.

Of tender reflection.

Of laughter and remembrance.

Almost two decades ago we carried this tradition into our new family with our first baby.

Our little spaghetti-faced, rompered baby helping Daddy with the lights.

18 years later, that 1 year old still helps Daddy with the lights.

Christmas traditions invite family time

We brought back an old tradition this year, with the purchase of a live tree again.

Happy hands strung together fruit and corn; a piece at a time until the garland was complete.

Even the kitties wanted to offer their assistance.

Although, they are a lot like having toddlers help…

The boxes were unpacked as each memory was relived through small pieces of colorful artistry.

In our family, the kids receive yearly ornaments to commemorate a special memory of that year.

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” – Peg Bracken

Christmas traditions can start with our children

My parents established that tradition for me and once I had my own home, those ornaments came with me to establish our own family tree.

These two are my favorites…

Christmas traditions start rooting memories

As a young girl, these were the stars of my collection. Simple and tiny creations that forever tie my heart to my childhood home.

Fingers carefully turning the beads of the Angel skirt over and over. Slowly examining the pasta Angel and admiring her details.

One year I couldn’t find my pink Angel. My heart tightened in my chest as I frantically searched through the tissue papered containers.

My husband saved the day, knowing I wouldn’t feel peace until she was safely found.

I placed her gently, with great affection in the branches.

“When we remember a special Christmas, it is not the presents that made it special, but the laughter, the feeling of love, and the togetherness of friends and family that made that Christmas special.” — Catherine Pulsifer

Christmas traditions to start with baby

There are other special ones in my heart, this one is from 1972.

From my Grandma.

I love it, but my family deems my early 70’s ones just a bit…hmmm, a bit not the style they like on the tree.

But I sneak her in any way.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” — Helen Keller

For now, our branches hang heavy with our family ornaments. Someday, our girls will take their collections with them.

To begin this tradition in their own homes. Hopefully, with their own children.

I came across a beautiful quote in my Advent devotions this week:

“There is something about saying, ‘We always do this,’ which helps keep the years together.

Time is such an elusive thing that if we keep on meaning to do something interesting, but never do it, year would follow year with no special thoughtfulness being expressed in making gifts, surprises, charming table settings, and familiar, favorite food.”