It sometimes surprises me what can inspire a blog post.  For instance, we were recently decorating the Christmas tree when I was hit by a blog hammer.  It occurred to me that an abridged story of our lives can be discerned from our ornaments.  In amongst the traditional stars, Santas, sleighs, and snowmen, as well as a smattering of one-off ornaments representing hobbies and interests of days gone by, certain enduring themes stand out, including:

The Occupation Series

In the US, red apples can symbolize elementary teachers. Is that true elsewhere?

The Libations Series

  • “Alcohol may be
  • man’s worst enemy,
  • but the Bible says
  • love
  • your
  • enemy.”
  • Frank
  • Sinatra

The Sports & Athletics Series

The Travel Series (shockingly incomplete)

  • Paris
  • RVing
  • New Mexico
  • Prague
  • New Mexico
  • Southwest USA
  • RVing
Not remotely representative of 19 countries and 26+ states.

The Motherland Series

The Pet Series (seriously lacking)

Not remotely representative of five bunny companions.

So what about you? What stories do your Christmas tree ornaments reveal?

23 thoughts

  1. Very true–story after story after memory. We’ve got lots of cats, a few dogs, some birds, some trains (my partner’s father worked for the Santa Fe) and many memories of my mother, who loved tiny things–and Christmas trees.

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  2. Mine are all shades of gold and pink. None have been picked up on our travels, none have any sentimental attachments, none are home made. My husband always decorates the tree though, unbeknown to him, I often make slight adjustments.

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  3. I love all your ornaments! Last year was the first time I had a full sized tree in my condo, so my collection is at its beginner stages. I definitely need more from travelling. Since the fridge is filling up, I think I’ll switch over from magnets to ornaments!

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  4. I love this! And it’s so true. My mom has made my sister and I each one ornament per year since we were born, commemorating something we enjoyed or something we accomplished each year. Together they give a nice summary of my life. Merry Christmas!

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    1. One of the things that keeps me from buying ornaments on our travels is that we already have a full tree. I could get rid of the standard ones, but almost all of them have some sort of memory attached to them, I just can’t… Merry Christmas to you, too.

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  8. Although I can appreciate the artistry of those “designy” Christmas trees, I much prefer ones like yours that display the history, personality, and passions of the family. Every time my mother decorated our tree when I was growing up, it was like taking a trip down memory lane. Although sometimes we teased her about it, we were creating our own memories each time.

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    1. That’s a great tradition. Every year I put a unique bottle of beer in the husband’s Christmas stocking. I look for something he hasn’t tried before as well as a label or name that says something about the year/his year. This year it was really difficult. Like it has with lots of other products, the pandemic seems to have left the beer shelves somewhat bare. Also, no labels/names really fit this year, though I did end up getting him a beer called “Satin Solitude Imperial Stout.” I thought the “solitude” was apt, given all the quarantining and social distancing. Still, your tradition has a longevity that no bottle of beer can match. Merry Christmas!

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  11. I am in awe of those people who have the designer, colour-coordinated Christmas trees where everything matches. I always think that our tree looks like I have gutsed myself on Christmas decorations and then thrown-up all over it. Random shapes, colours and sparkles, but it is our tree and tells our stories. That is the most important thing. Merry Christmas to you both and your bun, Mel

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