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One of my favorite parts of the holiday is trimming the tree. I really am like the Hallmark commercial – I enjoy opening the bins and unwrapping all the old favorite ornaments, telling the family stories that go with them to whoever is helping me. We have the complete range of decorations, from those Hallmark Keepsakes of all types, to Lenox carousel animals to the paper and glitter ones my daughters made in school (and the ones my grandson now makes), and everything in between. My late husband made stained glass windows, boxes, houses…and ornaments! So every year we have about ten beautiful ornaments that he made, which bring us smiles as we position them on the tree. I have three ornaments left from my childhood, my favorite being a very silvery plastic pinecone from the 5&10 cent store, bought with my allowance.
But perhaps the ornament that ties us most closely to the family history that has come before is the little Santa pictured below.
He belonged to my great grandparents and dates back to early in the last century. He’s made of pipecleaners and felt. I think the branch he’s clutching is a more recent upgrade but otherwise he’s in very good condition, if a bit slimmer than the St. Nick of today. He has a rather serious expression, maybe mentally reviewing his list of naughty and nice. My grandmother gave him to me when I was a little girl because she knew I liked him so much (and she preferred big shiny colorful glass ornaments).
I’ve cherished him ever since and he sits perched on our Christmas tree year in, year out.
I think he brings us special holiday cheer and good luck!
To enter to win the $25.00 Amazon gift card that I’m giving away on this blog as part of the Mistletoe Madness Blog Hop, just leave a comment here about your favorite ornament OR winter holiday tradition! I will select the winner for my individual giveaway by random drawing after midnight December 23rd and will announce the winner here and on twitter.
Please hop over to the Contest page to find the other great stops on this blog hop and be sure to get yourself registered here for the Grand Prize – a Nook Color pre-loaded with books from our sponsor authors and many more.
I have 3 favorites! Each one is a ornament I gave to myself to mark the first Christmas of each of my children. Little blue train engine for my oldest boy, cherubic angel for my daughter and a Jesus in Manger for youngest son.
I love your choices for the three ornaments! Happy Holidays!
Our favorite ornament is one that belonged to my father-in-law and is always the first ornament placed on the tree, at the top.
I like that you place it at the top and first, nice tradition!
My favorite ornament is a small victorian heart that my mother gave me when I moved into my 1st apartment!!
melissaseclecticbookshelf (at) gmail (dot) com
♥ Melissa @ Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf
All kinds of special memories to go with that ornament! Happy Holidays
my favorite ornament is a small ( really small) glass ball that came from my grand mother. ( at first they were 8of them now only 2remain) i love their fragility and it’s one of the only things i have from her so it’s precious for me. They were done manually and when the light touch them it’s make a small rainbow ( so magical)
all the best
thansk you for the giveaway
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow, those sound fantastic, hand made is so rare. Nice memories to go with the rainbows. Wish I could see!
Thanks for the giveaway.
My favorite ornament is a wooden German nativity scene, beautifully carved, that was given to me many years ago by a German friend.
I think it really helps us remember what we are celebrating.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
I really enjoy our Nativity scene although it’s nowhere near as special as the one you have! It does help to keep the season in perspective.
Hi there! You have a lovely blog, I’m so glad I stopped by. 🙂 I especially liked looking through your Wednesday Whimsies.
Let’s see… my favorite Christmas ornament… a pair of baby shoes that belonged to my daughter. Her aunt turned them into an ornament, and stitched along the bottom: As you grow tall, remember when your feet were small.
<3
Well thank you for the kind words, especially on the Wednesday Whimsies. I love doing them. Neat to have made the baby shoes into an ornament! wish I’d thought of that years ago, too late now. Happy Holidays!
My favorite ornament is a white glass bell with green and red stripes that my mom always put on our tree. It always brings back such great memories when I see that bell. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
Sounds like a really striking ornament that goes along with good memories. Can’t ask for more than that! Happy holidays!
My favorite ornament is one shaped like a teapot that must be over 50 years old, it hung on my parent’s tree and now hangs on mine. Rather beat up looking, losing most of its glitter but it brings back many fond memories. Thanks for the giveaway and fun bloghop
skpetal at hotmail dot com
I love miniature tea pots! What a great ornament to have in the family for so long! Happy holidays!
My favorite Christmas ornament started out as a set of 12 doves. You would put the lights inside them and they would be so pretty on the tree. I only have 5 left and 2 of them no longer have wings, but I put them on tree every year.
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win such a great prize!
reneebennett35 at yahoo dot com
Thank you for stopping by! The doves sound pretty & peaceful, great you still have so many left. Best wishes…
My favorite Christmas ornament is a small crocheted angel that my aunt gave me not long before she passed away nearly twenty years ago. It is still just as pretty now as it was when she gave it to me.
Thanks for the giveaway!
adsanders77 at gmail dot com
We have a few small crocheted ornaments we got at crafts fairs but I hadn’t seen any angels – the one your aunt made must be very pretty!
My favorite ornament is a small angel that goes on the top of our tree. It was always on our tree when I was a child and now I use her every year. She’s a little tattered and yellow with age but that just makes her even more special.
I like the sound of your little angel though, especially as you’ve had her since childhood! The idea makes me smile…Happy holidays!
I like your santa and think it is neat about how your grandmother gave it to you. It makes me think about the Santa Elf I have on my tree that my oldest grand kid is just dieing to take off the tree – LOL he is five years old and after reading your story I think I will do what your grandmother did and give him that Santa Elf, he is made just like yours.
I’ve had that Santa Elf for 30 years so maybe he needs a new home. I love the different type of oranaments, I have some my kids made when they were in grade school and I still hang them every year. I do have some from my grandmother and will probably pass them down to my kids someday.
But my favorite thing I have that I put out every year is a ceramic 3 angel children set holding song books. I have three children and when I look at that it reminds me how lucky I am to have 3 precious grown children who are blessing me with lots of grand children.
Merry Christmas!
Ronda Tutt
mrsqueentutt@yahoo.com
Thank you for your comments about my little Santa! How fun we have similar ones! I do like a tree with a mix of ornaments, homemade and other. What a perfect symbol of your children the three angels must be at this season. I only have one grandson so far but he’s the apple of my eye (if not exactly an angel, you know!)
Best wishes for a happy holiday & I LOVE “mrsqueentutt” – EXCELLENT.
My fav ornament is actually our tree skirt. My mum made it from Green felt and cross stitched panels. It means a lot because she is no longer able to control her hand movements and is partially blind.
deanna_boocock @ hotmail.com
Now that’s a different answer but the tree skirt sounds lovely, with the cross stitching.I never could get the hang of it! Hugs to your Mom, sounds like she made very special things when she was able to do such painstaking crafts and she still graces the holidays with her presence! Best wishes….
My favorite ornament is one I just got specially made this year! It’s a huge ceramic ball with a fleur de lis, and me, my husband, and my son’s names on it.
celjla212 at aol dot com
The fleur de lis certainly is a very elegant symbol and how cool the ornament was specially made for your tree!
I don’t know that I can claim any one of my ornaments is THE favorite. When I moved out on my own, I made the decision to only purchase what I call “critter” ornaments for my tree. Each ornament I have, features some kind of animal. I have dogs, cats, bears, mice, deer, penguins, etc. Many of these ornaments are hand made ones that I picked up at craft shows. In order to make my tree topper fit the critter theme, I have a few stuffed animals, that I can switch out from year to year. The latest one, that I just received yesterday, was a prize from a blog contest. It is an adorable panda bear, which will be holding court on the top of my tree this year.
drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com
Sounds like a very imaginative, different tree! I like the idea of all the animals kind of sheltering in the branches at the holiday season. Very appealing idea. Happy Holidays!
My favorite ornament is 3 little snowmen tumbling. Happy Holiday!!!
klmc_37@yahoo.com
My favorite ornament is a ‘ Just Married ‘ one with my Hubby’s and my name, along with our anniversary date… So far anyway =D
emilytardy@yahoo.com
Kimmi, the snowmen sound happy and very holiday spirit-ed! I’m smiling just thinking of them…
Emily, I can see why the “Just Married” ornament *would* be the favorite! Congratulations & best wishes!
I only have a small tree thanks to a small apartment and cats so I dont really have a favorite ornament. But for traditions I like how on Christmas Eve I get together with my mom and we do gifts and go to church at midnight. Then on Christmas day we get together with the rest of the family for the day.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Sounds like you have some very solid family traditions going on and people are THE most important aspect of life! Always thought church at midnight on Christmas Eve was very special. Happy Holidays!
My favorite ornament is the one made by my oldest son from popsicle sticks Thanks for the blog hop. lisagk(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sometimes the ornaments our children make are THE best!
My favourite is the fairy that sits on top of the tree, my Gran got her years ago when she was first with my grandfather and its been a perenial on top of the family tree. (which is the the same tree that they had since they married and is older than my Dad.)
Yes she’s been redressed a few times but its been done with love and care and is a special moment each year. I hope I’m still here for her hundredth christmas as that will be an extra special moment. (31 years and counting.)
What a terrific story behind both the fairy and the tree! I like how she ties all the generations together and provides continuity. Happy Holidays!
My favorite ornament is one that my son made me in Kindergarden- it is a picture of him covered in fingerpaints while he was making the ornament and he is smearing his forehead and has this cute lil wonky smile on his face. I just love and treasure it!
Thank you so much for this generous giveaway op!
Happy Holidays!
Sounds like he was a happy creative person – how fortunate the the ornament is also a picture of him! Fun! Best wishes to you & your artist 🙂
Thanks for the great giveaway. My favorite ornaments are a pair of brightly colored fish that we purchased when we moved here to NC 6 years ago. They were our first “beach” ornaments.
Ho, Ho, Ho…
Catherine
@capefearlibn
catherinelee100[at]gmail[.]com
I’ve been to Cape Fear, visiting my grandparents as a child, now I’m kicking myself I didn’t get any fish ornaments! Thanks for providing *me* with a happy memory…Happy holidays!
Every year since the year I was born, my grandparents sent me an ornament. My favorite is the first one I received (I was almost 8 months old) which is an old fashioned Santa inside a globe!
books4me67 at ymail dot com
Now that is a terrific tradition! Your grandparents thought of something really special, I totally agree. How cool you still have them all, even the globe! Happy holidays!
An ornament. Back when I was in high school (years ago) Avon was selling this little Santa with a list with names on it. I got one and didn’t realize it had all of my parents kids (my siblings and me) our names on it. I got one for my mom and dad of course but only mine has survived the test of time. I put it up every year. What are the chances of them getting all of our names on it? About a billion to one! The only thing that would have made it better is if it would have been listed us in the order oldest to youngest! But, still i love it. My parents loved theirs. They are both gone now. But every year I put it up and I think of them.
Thank you for the great giveaway and being part of this hop.
Mary
mary_reiss @ hotmail.com
That’s truly amazing, that all the names would be there on the little Santa’s list! As you say, a billion to one odds. Gives me goose bumps, it’s so cool. I’m glad to hear you still have the Santa 🙂 Happy Holidays!
My Aunt Joyce made me an ornament when I was very little. It was a stuffed ballerina bear ornament with my name on it. I still have it after 30+ years.
geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
I like the idea of a ballerina bear, especially hand made just for you! Very neat that you still have it for your tree!
My favorite Christmas tradition is the process of unwrapping gifts on Christmas night or boxing day. We sat around our Christmas tree and played card games. The winner of each round got to pick and open a gift, while the rest of the family guessed whom that gift was for.
Oh that does sound like fun. I’ve never heard of doing the gift opening quite that way, but it would add suspense. I bet some gifts were fairly easy to guess and others were probably real puzzlers! Thank you for sharing the story!
My favorite ornament is one that I made as a little girl. My Mom used some kind of dough and green food coloring, then my sister, brother, and I cut out pictures and used the dough to make little wreaths around the pictures.
So do you still have it? Our dough ornaments are getting a bit fragile. Nice that you did the ornament making with your family & the memories brought up include all of them! Happy Holidays!
My fave ornaments or deco would probably be the snowman that’s been made out of cotton and tissue roll. Also the stoking made out of paper. Me & my sister fancy hand crafts.
I love a hand crafted ornament! We used to go to local crafts fairs here and pick up some of the best items! Wish I could see your snowmen!
My favorite ornament is an Angel that has been with us since I was a kid (a very long time ago).
jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com
Angels are always a special thing to me, nice that she has watched over you and your family since you were so young! Happy Holidays!
My favorite is a little wooden rocking horse that says baby’s first Christmas that was from my parents because it matched my nursery and a bunch of other stuff I had as a kid
insanityisnormal(at)gmail(dot)com
LOVE rocking horses! What a great ornament and so neat that it’s been on the family’s tree since you were little, just for you…happy holidays!
I also love buying and decorating the Christmas tree, so I guess that’s my favourite holiday tradition, um except that it’s not winter where I live. All our ornaments are kind of crappy, but I do like these present shaped ones made of hama beads that we still have from years ago. Thanks!
It’s a good tradition IMHO! The ornaments made from beads sound cool and different from anything else anyone has mentioned! Happy holidays…
Thank you for the giveaway. I don’t have a favorite ornament.
ainfinger@comcast.net
You love them all! Thank you for commenting!
Thank you for the excellent giveaway. I had a lot of favorite ornaments that my kid’s had made over the years, but unfortunately I lost everything when the tornado took my home back in May. When we started decorating for Christmas this year it was hard not to have those ornaments on the tree. I also had a beautiful angel topper for the tree that I really loved, I’m sure I’d never find another like it. So this season I’m starting a new ornament collection. I hope you have a joyous and safe holiday season.
seriousreader at live dot com
I am so sorry to hear about the tornado but thank goodness the family was ok. Hard to lose all the treasured mementos (my family lives in tornado alley in AL) but I hope the holiday season will be beautiful for you and the family. Thank you for commenting!
Oh, he’s so cute! My favorite ornament was a plastic tent-looking thing my parents had, with a pinwheel inside that spun when placed over a hot bulb. Modern bulbs don’t get that hot, which is probably a good thing, so it doesn’t spin anymore. But when I was little, I thought it was magic.
It certainly sounds like magic to me! Science is magic by another name sometimes, no? Happy Holidays, glad you liked my little Santa!
My favourite ornament are the ones made by my great grandmother, they are balls made of red velvet with different kinds of gold embroidery.
spav05(AT)gmail(DOT)com
My favorite ornaments are the ones that are of puppies & kitties, and those from my nieces & nephews.
Happy Holidays!
June M.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Puppies. kitties, nieces and nephews – all wonderful things! Adds up to a lovely holiday, I’m sure! Best Wishes!
My favorite ornament is a small pair of Christmas red long johns on a small hanger. They even have the buttons on the butt….LOL
I bought it at Cracker Barrel a good ten years ago. My daughter and I place it front and center of the tree so that when we look at the tree we see it and start giggling….
Merry Christmas!
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
The long johns ornament sounds HILARIOUS! I love the whole concept. Happy Holidays and best wishes!
We have a mouse calendar that the children move the mouse each day to countdown until Christmas.
spdrs_bb_mama(at)yahoo(dot)com