Special Christmas Memories

Christmas is a time to be thankful, a time to create special memories and to celebrate special family traditions.  A nice way to bring this into your family is with special tree ornaments signifying certain special people, events, blessings....  When my children were born, I started collecting ornaments for them.  My daughter was born in 1999 and so that was the year it all started.  We had waited for a child for 9 years so when she arrived, it was an incredible blessing in our lives.  Christmas 1999 was one that I will always remember.  My first ornament to remind me of this special time was one of a bear with her baby that said, “New Mommy’s First Christmas”.  I look at this ornament hanging on my tree, 12 years later and it brings back a flood of happy memories, and feelings of absolute blessing from God.



New Mommy's First Christmas

 That was the year I also got to buy “Baby’s First Christmas” ornament.  I love the ornaments with the pictures so one can see what the child looked like that year at Christmas.  I remember going to Sears with my Mom, and getting my daughter’s picture taken in her Christmas dress.  It was such a special time for my Mom and me and memories that I will cherish forever.

In 2002 my son was born.  A promised son we had prayed about having for a long time.  He arrived at a healthy 10 pounds, and started to smile at 3 weeks old.  The ornament of his first Christmas (2002) is a picture capturing him at 3 weeks old, and what his first smiles looked like.  Makes me smile every time I look at it.  J  The glass soother/pacifier ornament next to Baby’s First Christmas ornament was one that I had for 5 or 6 years before my children arrived, reminding me that one day, our home would be full of the laughter of children – it reminded me of hope, God’s love and His promise.  This glass ornament means the world to me. 

 Baby's First Christmas 2002

This colourful creation is an ornament my Mom keeps on her tree – I made it when I was in Grade 1 (6 years old).  I think I may have inherited my Mom’s sentimentality when it comes to special tree ornaments.  I’m happy about that!



The Genius of a 6 year old



One of the favourite traditions my children look forward to every year is the Advent Calendars.  They come down every morning starting December 1, open the little window and get their treat.  Usually a chocolate or some sort of candy.  A few years ago I found a stuffed "Advent Tree" that now has become a family tradition.  The kids take turns putting the ornaments on the tree and see the tree fill up.  As you can see, there's only a day left until the 24th!  Very exciting!



Puffy Advent Tree



The last ornament I’ll share is a “New Home” ornament that my neighbour gave me when we bought a new home (to us anyway) and were about to move at Christmas time.  Our next door neighbour, whom we had lived beside for 10 years, gave me this ornament as we were packing up to move.  It blessed my heart and I still have it on my tree today.  Our home is also such an incredible blessing and an answer to prayer, so this is why I included it in my special ornaments.

A Gift from a Neighbour

What ornaments or special Christmas traditions do you have with your family?  What means the most to you as you prepare for Christmas? 

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Laura