Our large tree in the living room is filled with so many special decorations.....I have been collecting unique ornaments since I was a child!
It was a tradition started by our next door neighbor, whom we affectionately called NaNa, when I was probably only about 6 or 7 years old. She selected a special, albeit inexpensive, ornament for her granddaughter, my sister and me every year. My mother quickly adopted the same practice. So, by the time I was grown and started my own tree, I already had quite a collection.
Of course, some of those early additions have not survived the years. But, I still have many of them and they all have a special place in my heart. Among them....
There are a couple of ornaments that I clearly remember making. This wooden candy cane was my effort when our fifth grade class painted ornaments to decorate the class tree.
And this beaded candy cane was made in a missions class at church about the same time.
I was fortunate enough to find a box containing a few of my grandparents' ornaments after my grandmother passed away. They are among my favorites!
Throughout my adult years, I have continued to add unique ornaments....those that catch my eye or "speak" to me.
And, of course, I love the set of Shiny Brite reproductions (found in Fredericksburg on a hot summer day, no less!) and the clip-on candles I found at Dollar General (gotta love the dollar store for some great decor on the cheap!)....
Our tree may be a hodgepodge of many different types and style of ornaments, but it is filled with wonderful memories. I get a warm, fuzzy feeling just unwrapping the ornaments and placing them among the branches each year.
Every once in a while, I toy with the idea of starting fresh and decorating a tree with a specific, cohesive theme or color scheme.....but, it's always a fleeting idea!
How about your family's tree? Do you have some of those priceless, irreplaceable and sentimental ornaments like I do? I would love to hear about it if you do!
And now for lots of vintage inspiration, I am linking with Debra at "Common Ground" for
"Vintage Inspiration Friday". If you love the use of older ornaments and such when decorating for the holidays, I guarantee you will be blown away!
Relishing the moment....
Jane
