Our Tree isn’t perfect — it’s not even CLOSE to perfect. I like that my husband and kids do most of the decorating. My OCD makes decorating a little difficult at times, so this is something I’ve taken a step back from and let them take the lead.
Our tree is FULL of cherished memories!
Conner made this one last year. We went to one of those art studios and had all the kids made them. I figure they are only little once, right — and up on the right, you’ll see the ornament for when we moved to AZ. It’s a heart in a home. That was our tough year. You’ll also see Darth Maul as an M&M there on the left. My kids were SO excited to get those. Seriously, dying with excitement!
Below Conner’s ornament you’ll see one of our Hallmark bunch that we did before we had kids. Hallmark has great (but costly) Yearly ornaments. On the bottom right is an olive wood ornament a roommate brought me back from Jerusalem.
We did pictures of the kids one year. Look at little Mr S. Isn’t he cute?
We’ve often coordinated with our yearly costumes, for our ornament. Here’s Fred Flintsone — from our Flintstone year.
One of my favorite things, is that our tree looks pretty similar to how it did in California. It all came with us, just like the memories and the joy that all of our friends have given us.
My parents started us out with a yearly ornament our first year of marriage. It was something our family always did growing up. Often we got ornaments to remind us of things we had one that year, or whatnot. We have some REALLY sad ornaments. There were lean years we coudln’t afford much, but I made one or something like that. I keep ’em, and we hang them — because we still had Christmas together, and it is a wonderful memory.
Sometimes I think people are so caught up in the way their tree looks, but I’m more caught up in the way I feel when I look at ours. So many wonderful friendships, and times together with friends and family. Reminds me of how good God is to each one of us. And, I think that’s what Christmas is all about anyway — isn’t it?
Merry Christmas everyone, this year when you deck the halls – make sure you take time to feel the season in your heart. 🙂
Some other Christmas posts you might enjoy:
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Laura @ Little Bits of Granola says
I love your tree! We have a wild mix of ornaments that represent memories too. Sometimes I see beautifully designed trees with a theme or matching ornaments and have a twinge of desire for a tree like that. Then I open up our big box of ornaments and all that goes out the window. I often get emotional while decorating our tree because our decorations bring back so many memories. I love Christmas, it really is the most wonderful time of the year!
I hope you and your family have a holiday season filled with joy and laughter!
Hilary says
Awh, thanks Laura. I think your tree needs to be filled with memories. I’m sure it COULD be that way even if it looked perfect — it just seems less likely in my mind. 🙂
Keri says
I like the idea of using ornaments to remember the year. We have ornaments that bring back memories for me, but I’ve never gotten an ornament to remember a specific thing that happened that year. Cool.
Hilary says
HI KERI!!!! 🙂 Yes, I highly recommend it. 🙂
Havok says
This is how my mom and dad used to do Christmas as well. Then they decided that the memory filled ornaments should be replaced with themed ornaments. Not quite as fun decorating the tree that way. We never had yearly ornaments, but things from childhood, or ones as gifts, or ones that had been made. Those are the kind kinds of ornaments, that make you remember things – not just to be pretty. Eventually I want an ornament collection as well – slow goings though with our little Charlie Brown tree!
Hilary says
I wish I’d remember to get some on our vacations. i’m sure I could have found a disney one this fall. oh well. i’m sure I can find a Disney one elsewhere. 🙂
E.S. Ivy says
Coming over from the linky on Living Well Spending Less! What a lovely idea. I love to see lots of different ornaments on a Christmas tree!
Hilary says
Thanks! I love a random tree too! 🙂