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Thursday, December 8, 2016

A Favorite Tradition.

I'm joining up with Carole, Kat and the Think Write Thursday crew today to share a favorite holiday tradition. Much of what we do around the holidays has changed and continues to evolve...as it probably needs to when our family includes a new baby, an active toddler, a married daughter who lives close by and another daughter who lives far away. We will all be together on Christmas Day (as we have every year no matter where the girls are living) and for that I am most grateful. I certainly hope that's a tradition we can continue, but it's not the one I'm going to share today!

Today's topic is our Christmas tree (apparently the Christmas tree post is a tradition of its own - I've shared pieces of this same story in 200720092012 and 2014).

Now that the bird tree has a new life in the playroom, all those ornaments have come back to our big tree. Rather than simply "fit them in", I started with those ornaments and then filled in with my other favorites.
"before"
I didn't even get all the way through the two boxes that have filled our big tree in years past before the tree was full (enough).
and after - views from both sides (my favorite "kitchen counter seat" sees the view on the right)
I can honestly say this tree is probably my favorite ever - because it has all the ornaments that are special to me* all in one place.
maybe my most favorite
and other just plain favorites
The two birds with the tinsel tails were on my grandparents' tree when my mom was in college; they came to her in the 1960's...and then to me. I think that white one stands in nicely for a tree-topper; you can see the face of the other one up-close in the collage (upper left).

The painted egg was made especially for me by a friend of my mom's nearly 50 years ago. It's still in perfect condition thanks to the grapefruit juice can my mom stored it in through who knows how many moves!

That little cross-stitch is from my college roommate (junior year). Next to it is a snowflake my grandmother (Daddy's mother) tatted.

The red bird was knitted by my friend Virginia two years ago.

That cupid was bought by my mom's grandmother in 1960.

On the bottom row is a snowflake my Aunt Betty crocheted and a glass bird that was on (I think) my grandparents' tree. Finally, the fan and that multi-faceted star were made by my grandma (Mother's mother).

I've said a few times already this year that there's a certain miracle about Christmas trees ... they're always beautiful to look at and once the tree is up - at least in my house - it really starts to feel like Christmas.

Or maybe that's just the way it is with our favorite traditions...they really do bring the holiday to life.

*with the exception of the treetop ornament that was on my parents' tree; the base is too small to fit over the thick branch at the top of this tree. It's certainly not appropriate to top Charlie's tree either. I'm still trying to figure out a way to use it...and keep it one piece for years to come!

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11 Comments:

Blogger Vera said...

So pretty. Love all your bird ornaments. We have a lot and usually use a red cardinal as our tree topper. Can't wait to decorate our tree!

Thursday, 08 December, 2016  
Blogger Bonny said...

I love that you have all your favorites and can see them from your kitchen counter seat, and can't believe how many ornaments we have in common, like the styrofoam gingerbread man, snowflakes, fan, and paper Moravian star. Thanks for sharing your lovely, memory-filled tree!

Thursday, 08 December, 2016  
Blogger Vicki Knitorious said...

Even in my grinchiest years, the tree really helps to turn it around!! I'm anxious to get mine up this weekend (after a delay or two...). I love reading about all of your special ornaments!

Thursday, 08 December, 2016  
Blogger Kwizgiver said...

What a fantastic post! I love the spirit your tree contributes. I have not put up a tree of my own in a couple of years but I do have a small fiber optic tree that makes me happy.

Thursday, 08 December, 2016  
Blogger Kym said...

Thanks for sharing your very special ornaments! Your tree looks just beautiful -- and certainly says "Christmas!" It's wonderful to hang ornaments with family history and special memories. Enjoy! XO

Friday, 09 December, 2016  
Blogger Carole said...

Thanks for sharing your tree and your special ornaments, Mary! It's beautiful!

Friday, 09 December, 2016  
Blogger Debbie said...

Just beautiful! I love old ornaments that have been passed down from family & friends. My oldest ornaments are a few glass ones from Germany that belonged to my great-grandmother. Thanks for sharing your tree!

Friday, 09 December, 2016  
Blogger AsKatKnits said...

Beautiful ornaments!! Christmas memories that can hang on a tree! I packaged up a bunch of ornaments to send off to my kids for their trees this year - now that they are all in their own places it seemed fitting. I am missing some of those ornaments, but they have a new life of memories now and I love that.

Friday, 09 December, 2016  
Blogger margene said...

Your tree is lovely! We also had the glass birds on our tree. How wonderful to have so much of your families Christmas history on your tree!

Friday, 09 December, 2016  
Blogger Lydia said...

So pretty!

Friday, 09 December, 2016  
Blogger Honoré said...

Enjoy seeing the tree come together... ornaments are so much fun to recall their stories. Enjoy your trees.
Cheers~

Friday, 09 December, 2016  

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