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 2007, 2009, 2012 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!