SPT--Ornaments

I had to do this SPT, even if I am several days late. 

We started the tradition of buying ornaments for each of the kids every year, so that when they moved out of the house they would have ornaments to put on their own tree.  Problem one:  Tyson is out of the house, but does not have a tree, so his ornaments are still here.  Problem two:  when you are buying six ornaments every year, you rapidly run out of room.  I always wanted two trees; a family tree, that looks exactly like what ours looks like, a mismatch, hodge-podge of ornaments and family memories, and a more formal tree that is all perfectly matching, and truly elegant.  But, there is no room in our house for two trees and I'm not very elegant anyway, so only one tree.  Here are some of my favorite ornaments:

One year, I attempted to make ornaments, and while they turned out pretty good, it was just too much work for this busy time of year, and I am just not organized enough to get it done early. 

This is one of my favorite ornaments that I got for the girls.  I love the elegance of the tea cup on the saucer.  (My dream tree.)

When something happens during the year, I try to get a special ornament to commemorate that occasion.  We got house ornaments for the year we moved into our new house, and...

dog ornaments for the year we had to put our dog Fanny to sleep.  She was a great dog and we had had her for nine years. 

Tyson sent home these ornaments from Venezuela when he was there on his mission.  They are miniature hammocks that the women weave and then sell at the market place.  We had them in all different colors.  Each child got to pick their own colors.  This one is AJ's. 

But this is my favorite ornament so far.  I found these little nativities carved from olive wood.  I love, love, love them and wished that I would have bought one for myself as well as for each of the kids.  I will be sad when the kids are all gone, and the ornament is gone with them.  I also wish I could have got one for Tess, but she wasn't born yet.  Bummer.

And after all that reading, here is my spt, holding that favored ornament.  I love this tradition for the kids, even if it is getting harder and harder to come up with ideas.

Comments

[Michelle]

Susan,

I did a quick Google search and found a site that has the Olive Wood Ornaments - http://www.holylandmall.net/chrisor.html - Hope that helps! Sending you happy holiday wishes and continued prayers for the job situation.

Michelle

[Neighbor Jane Payne]

How fun to see your ornaments, Susan. How sweet of Michelle to do a search for you...blogging is the greatest, isn't it?

[lelly]

what a great collection! i, too, pine for a two trees. i'm getting closer! we actually put one on our front porch this year, with simple colored balls. (i have had the balls for many, MANY years - always displayed them in a trifle dish. my husband just did not understand!) so the outside tree is simple, colorful, and...outside. MAYBE one of these days i'll have a second indoor tree!

[plswensen]

you do not want 2 trees.When we moved into this house I would do three trees. Than just 2 and now 1. 1 is just right . It used to take 4 days to get it all up. And really nobody cares. Do think hard about 2. love to all Pam Oh and at least I don't bug you to update I just wait it out Suuny!

[Nikki]

We have a little tree in one of our bedrooms on the nightstand. It has teeny-tiny ornaments on it and a garland of itty-bitty presents. My little girl is so fond of it that she goes in there daily to admire the ornaments and rearrange them. And then we have a family tree in our family room. I think lots of trees would be wonderful!

Fun tradition you have with the ornaments! That's what my mil did for each of her kids every Christmas-- and still does for the few that are still home. I especially like your ornaments that commemorate a special occasion of the year.

Nikki

P.S. I got your card yesterday and it's the absolutely cutest, most-creative of all the Christmas cards this year! And you didn't have to send the money. I purposely didn't tell you the shipping for your winnings. So, now I'm thinking of a way to do something for you!