Frozen Holiday Memories…The Sentiment Behind Some of Our Favorite Ornaments and Displays

As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, my Christmas tree is COVERED in happy memories. Vacations, special childhood ornaments made by my kids, gifts from friends, etc. Each and every ornament is carefully wrapped and tucked away when I take my tree down, and the memories tumble out again the following year as I painstakingly hang them on my tree and relive all those happy times again and again. The Santa pictured above is from an incredible family vacation when my son was only 2 years old. We went to Ocean Isle, NC, with my parents, my in-laws at the time, and my youngest brother, and stayed in the most beautiful beach house owned by my employer. One rather cloudy day, my mother and I took off for a shopping trip, had a GREAT day together, and I purchased this ornament as part of that afternoon. She’s been gone for well over 20 years now, but this Santa ornament serves as a poignant memory of a great day with my mom.
Many of our most cherished holiday keepsakes revolve around friends or family who cannot be with us, either due to death, location or circumstance, and they help to keep our loved ones nearby…if only in spirit.

Melissa’s mom passed away very recently. She shared the beautiful photo above with me, with the explanation, “I have not decorated much, but this little table top tree was my mom’s – I have it set up with some sympathy cards around it…her holiday corner of my house.” What a pretty and thoughtful tribute to her mother and a glowing remembrance of a woman she loved.

Becky shared this shot from her tree with me…showing some ornaments that she keeps grouped together every year in memory of her son, Adam, who she lost several years ago. Becky told me that she had purchased the drummer boy ornament for Adam when he was very young because The Little Drummer Boy was his favorite Christmas song. The spotted ball was a gift from her sister, Joanne, who gave it to her after he passed because she knew that giraffes were Adam’s favorite animal. As Becky states, “they are hung together on the tree and are very special remembrances of him.”

Regarding the grouping of decorations above, Sharon sent me a little note saying, “Unpacking Christmas from year to year is a nostalgic event. The special people that touch our lives and the events that are shared together ring in our hearts as we thoughtfully place our treasures in the places our hearts desire. The Paddington Peace Bear, given with love from a friend, is circled with more love by a wreath my mom gave me years ago. The Saratoga Race Course print was a gift from a longtime friend. It was purchased on one of our many early morning breakfasts at the track, as we watched the horses train. It all comes full circle…the memories, the love, the peace. May we all find love in our hearts, and peace on Earth.”

I have nothing I can add to this beautiful message!!

Sometimes a special ornament serves another function beyond sentimental memories. Sometimes it represents a dream, a passion, a hope for success. Shannon of Berrylicious Bouquets spends countless hours in her chocolate kitchen creating beautiful chocolate-covered strawberry bouquets and other goodies. This is the perfect representation of that passion.

The same thing holds true here with Nellie’s beautiful tea kettle ornament given to her by a friend last Christmas. Nellie owns the Blu Tea Shoppe, filled with her delicious teas and unique gifts. A truly thoughtful gift from a friend deserving a special place on her tree…

And, finally, how about some memories in the making? New tradition? My tree has several ornaments on it that my children made for me when they were very young. Lids from frozen orange juice cans with punched holes in the shapes of candles or stars, tiny sleds made of popcicle sticks, etc. Here, Mary Frances, a gifted area artist/art instructor, is preparing to punch holes in the tops of these watercolor snowmen created by some young students. A tiny loop of red ribbon and a new memory and special ornament has just been created, to be enjoyed for years to come.

I hope everyone is enjoying these final days before Christmas. It is such a beautiful time of year.