The beginning of this month I heard some terrible news. Someone had stolen my girlfriends Christmas decorations. All of them. Including her ornaments. Even her sweet homemade ones from her children through the years. I was so heartbroken. Who does that?
I know that they are just things. But they are really special things. I can’t even imagine how sad she must have felt. I know I would be heartbroken. After the thought of making some ornaments for her I had a desire to take pictures of some of my favorite ornaments. It’s so easy for special ornaments to get lost or broken. I wanted to document some of my favorites to share with my kids someday. Not only which ones are special, but why. And I was happy to see others give and help my friend start her Christmas collection.
I, of course, love ornaments with pictures. And especially pictures of my kids when they were babies. My kids love finding themselves on the tree.
This is Georgiana’s favorite right now. Her Grandma gave it to her on her first Christmas after she was Tinker Bell for Halloween. She couldn’t wait to hang it up on our tree.
This was my Baby’s First Ornament. My older brother has a wicker crib. I love this ornament! Turns out my girlfriend has the same one.
This was my favorite ornament as a child. I named him Pepperoni. I know, I was such a creative child. A couple years ago my mom gave us all the ornaments that were “ours”. Every year we got to pick a new ornament. I was looking all over for my little pizza mouse. I asked my mom and she told me it belonged to Michael. (Arrrgh!) My little brother, who also adored this ornament, LIED to my mother and told her it was his. And then he wouldn’t give it to me. And he kept it for years!!! Even though I reminded him it was mine. Finally when he pulled my name for Christmas he gave it back to me. I did find it online and was considering buying it, but only to trade because I am so sentimental. I love my little brother and I suppose he was getting even for when pulled a Lucy on him. I had asked if he wanted to play football with me. The experiment worked. He fell flat on his back like Charlie Brown.
If you read my Favorite Handmade Ornament Post you probably recognize these blocks. I got the idea from The Crafting Chicks Jamie. She makes such cute ornaments each year, but I just keep making these. I add their name and year on one side and add their “wish list” from Santa on the other. I love hanging these up and seeing how they have changed. I mean look at the cute picture of Draco. How precious that he wanted a Jump Rope from Santa? Melts my heart. Speaking of which, I still need to make these this year…
Our Christmas Tree theme is Homemade/Star Wars. My hubby loves getting Star Wars ornaments from my Mom each year. This one above is his favorite. It has sounds and you can hear Anakin and Obi Wan talk. We finally let our kids watch the 3rd one (through Vid Angel) in preparation for the new Star Wars Movie, which was amazing by the way!!! They were finally able to hear Obi Wan cry “You were the chosen one! You were suppose to destroy the Sith, not join him…” My kids all fight over who gets to hang up Dad’s prized Star Wars ornaments. They are kind of a big deal…
My parents had a crystal heart ornament like this growing up. I was happy I could find one for Grady and I when we were first married. It’s plastic so it was cheaper and I don’t have to worry about my kids breaking it.
This was a Christmas gift for the Young Women to remind us of our lesson that Wiseman still seek Him. I remember if I am part of the Inn crowd or a chosen few. I love remembering that lesson and all my memories as a Young Women leader. I worked with so many amazing young ladies, one of them is getting married next week. I am so blessed to have had that calling. And I love remembering them at Christmas.
I lost the San Diego Temple ornament, which is a bummer because we were married there. But I love this Newport Beach Temple one. Temple are dear to our family and faith and I want my kids to know that they are important to our family. I also love this hand painted nutcracker. My girlfriend paints them each year, isn’t she amazingly talented? She signs her Family name and the year on the back.
I am so thankful for teachers who go to such effort to make such lovely gifts for me each year. Especially when they have pictures or handprints. My kids are growing up so quickly. And I love trying to remember each stage and age. These sweet ornaments are truly my favorite! And I love going to friends house and seeing their cute kids too!
Thanks for taking a tour of our tree and the sweet memories that we have. Do your family a favor and document your favorites and write down why you love them so much. I’m grateful that my friend was able to receive some Christmas cheer. If you would like to send any ornaments or help her be sure to visit my contact page. I hope she can make new memories that can heal her heart. I know we can buy new woodland ornaments but it breaks my heart she lost her kid ornaments. I think finding pictures of them though the years and making them ornaments would help.
And it’s not too late to check out my Christmas Game post where kids learn how to accept gifts with tact. I reminded my kids of this game after we went shopping for each other. Georgiana picked out some items she really liked. And they may not be excited about their Frozen or Minnie gifts this year…
And be sure to check out our Family’s Nativity Play too!
Some of these items are affiliated links. You are welcomed to buy from anywhere. But I don’t mind if you buy them from here. I only share items I really like or use. Thanks for your support!
