Our Christmas Tree

I'm showing off my tree as part of Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash and today's theme is "Christmas Trees", hosted by Jerri at A Baby Changes Everything. If you're not involved in this FUN holiday bash, stop on over and enjoy the fun for the rest of the week!

Every year, we go to a local tree farm and cut down our own tree. It's been a tradition for many years. And, even though my girls are grown, they still look forward to going as a family and choosing that perfect tree.

Over the years, I've collected many ornaments that just speak out to me. No, they're not collectibles by any means, they hold no value to anyone except me (and my girls perhaps), only sentimental value. They are precious, timeless and hold a story unique to itself. Our tree isn't the fanciest, nor the simplest either, but it suits me (although I do wish I had added more lights). As I browse through blogs and blogs of gorgeous trees and exclaim over the beauty of them and quite honestly wish at times that I could have a tree "just like that", I always glance back at our own and am satisfied.

I'm putting on the beading as we speak, but it's not shown in these photos. These were taken a day after we put the tree up on December 7th. Okay, I've been a bit slow in adding the garland. I have an eclectic array of ornaments on my tree--some going back to when my kids were little (they're now 21 and 24) and one very special ornament is still with me--one that I created when I was 11 years old (41 years ago!). Take a tour of the tree and enjoy!

This is a bread dough ornament purchased when my daughter was a year old. She LOVED her blankie and this was a perfect remembrance of it.

This ornament is from 1983 and was mine and my husband's first ornament as a couple, although in 1983, we were engaged, not married. It's a bit scratched and tarnished, but, hey, that describes our marriage!

One of many hand-made ornaments created by the girls when they were in elementary school.

Jaclyn's (now 21) handprint santa made when she was 5:

This Santa is made from a paintbrush! Quite different I thought.

Valerie's snowflake ornament made when she was in first grade:

The girls each made one of these years ago while attending a children's Christmas Party:

This is my most beloved and oldest ornament on the tree. He was created by me 41 years ago when I was 11. He has moved many times and adorned many trees and yet, he has come through unscathed--not a scratch or break! He's made from a hollowed out egg, painted eyes, a cottonball for a beard and the trim and the cut off piece of my brother's hat (a baby at the time).

My husband makes one contribution to the tree and that is his #8 fish hook. He puts it in 'just the right spot', so when he's sitting on the couch, he can see it.

Valerie's bread dough ornament:


And then I have the more "elegant" ornaments. These were acquired through a swap and created by Susan Kyser. I'm a scrapper and paper artist and am always joining swaps. This was through Etsy Cottage Style and although we were to only swap one ornament, she sent me several! I love them and I display them proudly on my tree.








Thanks for looking at our tree.