Memory Tree

The kids checked out a picture book from the library this week in which the family reminisces about past Christmases while looking at the ornaments on their tree. Each ornament triggered some memory of the past, or represented a significant event from that year. I love that idea. While I can certainly appreciate the beauty of a perfectly coordinated Christmas tree, I much prefer the personal and sentimental ornaments that grace the branches of our tree. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the tree my family had growing up -- my mom was never ashamed to hang our crudely-made grade school ornaments right next to her expensive Radkos. As children we received a new ornament every year from my grandparents and my parents, so that when I left home, I had a whole box full of ornaments to take with me for my own tree.

I love the conversations we have while we decorate. The tiny cable car reminds the girls of our trip to San Francisco. The many Disney ornaments remind them of our family vacations to Disney World with Grandma and PaPa. I found blown glass mermaids the year the girls were so fascinated looking for the mermaid statues around the city of Norfolk.



The clay pueblo ornament reminds me of our summer spent living in Phoenix. There are red jingle bells -- Ginny's Bells -- in honor of my late grandmother. And I can't forget the baby shoe ornaments I made for the girls on their first Christmases, or the peapod ornament I made for Gordon when he was born. A tree full of memories -- and I cherish each one!