When we were preparing to sell our home near Atlanta, I threw out our Christmas tree because it was just limping along. This year it seems like the Christmas season was suddenly here and I found myself without a new tree. My husband found a tree all boxed up and left behind by renters in one of the rental homes. He brought it home and asked if I wanted it. It is sort of a sad little tree but I took it on…at least for this year. Here she is…
I know many bloggers have exceptional trees, the kind you see in the department stores. They are perfectly color coordinated and match their overall decor and theme perfectly. That’s just not me. Our family tree would never grace the window of a department store, nor would it go viral on Pinterest. But to us, it is a tree of memories. A tree built over time by the people and the moments of our lives.
For sure, I inherited my love of crafts from my paternal grandmother. I love taking ornaments out each year that she hand made. She passed on nearly 20 years ago and my children never met her. Yet, she is a part of our Christmas tree each year. I love that. Here are a few of the ornaments she made that mean so much to me.
She crocheted these ornaments and they are just so sweet. I have several of them and really enjoy seeing them each year. She also made this sweet little angel. I really love the saying because since she has gone on to heaven I feel she still is watching over us. Okay ladies, let’s all just ignore that purple and yellow foam block my 3 year old stuck in the tree. Apparently he has his own version of what the tree should look like too! 🙂
Probably one of my favorite parts of the tree is the addition of new photo ornaments each year. You know those ones your kids come home with from school and Sunday school? My boys love looking for their pictures on the tree and it is so affirming to them to find them displayed in prominence.
They really get a big kick out of seeing an ornament with a picture of their dad as a young boy. It really adds to the tradition and gives us a time to really look back on how everyone has grown up and changed over time.
I love the picture of my husband as a boy. This Thursday will mark 20 years married to that amazing man. One of my favorite ornaments was given to us by my mother-in-law shortly after we were married 20 years ago. The picture was snapped by my sister-in-law as we were dancing to our wedding song at the reception. My adoration for him is apparent in my face and I still feel that way about him today.
A few years back my mom gave me the angel that was always on the top of our Christmas tree as I was growing up. I love her. I wouldn’t ever dream of replacing her with an exquisite tree topper bought from even the fanciest store. You just can’t buy memories.
So even though our tree won’t set the internet on fire for it’s beauty, the beauty of our tree definitely stands out to us. I guess the saying “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” rings true in our Christmas home. I hope you are having a joyous Christmas season where new memories are already being made.
Nancy
