Ok, we have a fun little craft for you guys, complete with an easy how-to, and some festive photos.
But first of all, we finally got our tree decorated this weekend…
We’ve shared a bunch of different trees with you guys over the years, and each year it has been fun to switch a few things up with a new “theme” like classic silver and white, citrus inspired lemons and real dried oranges, pastel pink and soft green with silver bows, crafty paint strip ornaments and ribbons, and a fun white to pink to to red gradient tree from last year.
But this year there was a new theme in town: family. We just wanted to fill our tree with meaningful ornaments. Things that were one of a kind, homemade, personalized, given to us by someone special, and otherwise memorable to us. It was actually the first year that we had enough to fill a big tree (we usually relegate them to a smaller tabletop tree), which was good timing since we have a big girl around who’s really into helping these days.
And since handmade ornaments were a big part of the mix, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to try my hand at making three dozen new ones, all with a woodsy yet colorful spin.
The first step was trudging around outside looking for a fallen branch that was about 3″ in diameter. After finding it and yelling “eureka” (true story) I brought it into the garage and fired up the miter saw (picture me grinning like a fool while whispering “don’t cut your fingers off”). It was actually pretty simple to keep the blade straight and make a bunch of vertical cuts, so I was able to slice the whole branch up to make nearly three dozen little round slices.
One half of the branch was a little more gnarled on the inside than the other, so it was funny that around half of them had cool weathered holes in the middle while the others were smoother and less holey. The next step was letting them sit/dry out for a while (I actually made these slices about two weeks ago) because I didn’t want to paint or seal damp wood for fear that it would become a crumbly rotten mess. So if you don’t have time to do that, maybe try hunting down pre-cut wood slices, or see if there’s some method for speed-drying them (maybe sitting them in a box of rice or something?).
Late last week I couldn’t stand waiting anymore, so I sanded them all just to make them extra smooth, and finally broke out three paint pens. I tried my hand at three different designs. We’ll call the one on the left “arrow” (I started by drawing the one in the middle and then just added two others flanking it). The one in the middle can be called “fraction” (I just made a wide-ish pizza slice on each one and colored it in). And the one on the right can go by “dipped” (I experimented with thinner or thicker “dippings” on different angles, just to change things up).
I really liked the idea of letting a lot of the wood grain show through (as opposed to painting or coloring the entire front) but the little pop of color is really fun – and super simple. As for the exact paint pens I used, I had luck with a red and green Sharpie paint pen, and a turquoise Elmer’s Painters pen (they’re a few bucks each at places like Michael’s or JoAnn).
About twenty minutes later, I had this collection of lovelies.
Then I took them outside and said “remember when you guys lived out here?” and gave them a good spray coat of Aileen’s Gloss Finish Sealer (on the front and the sides, and later on the back when they were dry). Sealing wood slices can help to keep them from flaking and it also gives them a nice little polished look, which is a cool juxtaposition to their rugged edges and gnarled centers.
After they had fully dried for 24 hours out in the garage, I brought them back in and drilled tiny pilot holes into the top of each one (I strategically chose what part should be the top so all the arrows would be straight, but some of the fractions and dipped ones would be slightly off-kilter since I liked the interest that those angles would bring to the tree). Then it was as simple as sticking eye-hooks into each of those pre-drilled pilot holes at the top and screwing them by hand.
I already had some old metal ornament hooks to slip through those eye-hooks, so that was all they needed to finally find their way onto the tree.
I think the red ones are my favorite. They really pop with the green background. And the total cost for three dozen wood slice ornaments = $11, which breaks down to around 30 cents each (that total includes all three paint pens, the spray sealer, and the eye hooks). Psst- You can check out a bunch of other wood slice ornaments here.
These new guys are in good company with a bunch of other ornaments that we’ve made over the years (like the green zebra you can see in the top right of that shot above) so that gives us the warm fuzzies. In fact, it’s probably a good time to toss out some links to those other homemade ornaments:
- Here are some faux antler ornaments along with a bunch of colorful “ceramic” animals (and some swirl-painted glass bulbs) from 2011
- Here are a few “snow” covered and feather filled glass ornaments from 2008
- Here are some real dried orange slice ornamets from 2009
- Here are a few baby’s first Christmas ornaments from 2010 (with Clara’s silhouette and hand prints on them)
Oh and a bunch of people saw a peek at the tree on Instagram and Facebook before it was decorated, noticed that it was new, and asked if it was real and where we got it (we got it up about a week before we added ornaments and just gazed at it naked for a while. The tree was naked. We were fully clothed. Except for Burger).
Anyway, back to where we got the tree. It was a hand-me-down from my mom (the box is long gone and we didn’t see any brand markings on it though – so if anyone has something similar and knows the brand we’d love that info to pass along) and we’re completely enamored with it. In fact, we’ve already donated our old tree, which we faithfully enjoyed since 2008. It’s hard to tell in photos, but this one is pretty real looking and sort of droopy-in-a-good-way (it’s feathery on the ends, which makes for a nice effect). Especially all lit up in that bay window of ours. Just ignore the blue trim – I’m waiting for Santa to come paint that for me.
But back to the decorating process. It was the first year that Clara had a real active interest in helping us the entire time, and she was even able to hang the breakable ornaments since she’s a careful steady-handed gal (zero ornaments were harmed in the making of this tree, although I did have about five mini-heart attacks, but I was so glad I let the bean do her thing in the end).
It pretty much worked out to be broken down into three rough zones. Clara took the bottom, I took the middle, and John got the top thanks to his long legs and added wingspan.
As for what went where, it was really just a free-for-all. I placed all of the ornaments out on a little white pedestal table off to the side of the tree, and we all just took turns grabbing whichever one caught our eye. We taught Clara just to do one per branch, but that was really the only direction we gave her – along with “don’t forget the sides and the back.” As we hung them, Clara would ask us where each one came from, so we had fun telling her about one that came from our honeymoon, one that we got in Hawaii with her, a few that were made by readers and given to us last year during our book tour, some that we had made in past years, some that were given to us by family members, etc.
I worried I’d forget a bunch of their origins, but when the entire table had been cleared and the whole tree was full, I don’t think there was a single ornament origin that we couldn’t recall. It’s funny how that stuff sticks with you.
And someone was VERY PROUD of herself.
Here she is posing in front of “her tree.”
And here’s the tree at night in all of its reflecting-in-the-bay-windows glory. The funny thing is that the old owners of the house must have put their tree right in this spot when they lived here. I never would have known that except when we moved in and I redid the floors, I remember finding a bunch of faux pine needles in that corner when I swept things up.
Oh and here’s the 411 on those festive reindeer – they were such an easy project back in 2011. And the tree skirt is just two faux sheepskin rugs from Ikea that we steal from other places in the house and shove under there each December.
So there you have it. A tree without a theme, except for a sweet memorable/handmade hodge-podge. Complete with a tiny tin hamburger.
What are your trees looking like this year? Any fun themes or color schemes? Do you go real or faux with them? Did anyone else make any ornaments? I’d love to get Clara in on the fun next year, so I’m already thinking about some baked ones (either clay or even gingerbread ones) that we could seal/paint/hang together. Could be fun…
Psst – You can peruse a ton of other holiday projects right here.
Update – Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button:
Update Number 2: Plus you can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Needle little Balance says
I also like handmade ornaments and decorate our tree with little birds I sewed and glass ornaments.
I think the wood chip ornaments could be such a nice idea for a project with small kids too! They could draw on them (stars? santa? presentboxes?) and give them to their grandparents/teachers/friends for Christmas. Was Clara not interested in drawing herself yet?
YoungHouseLove says
She honestly just wanted to do the ornament hanging. I tried to get out some paint for her to splatter or blob one but she just said “I want to hang them when you’re done!”
xo
s
Amanda K. says
i just posted about our tree too….which isn’t as lovely as yours :)
our helper isn’t quite so steady-handed!
http://www.thekriegers.org/2013/12/o-krieger-tannenbaum/
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet!
xo
s
Lori says
This is beautiful. As we were decorating our tree this week, my daughter actually said, “John and Sherry always have pretty trees, but I like ours better. Don’t they have any special ornaments?” I reminded her of your little tree while my husband was all, “Who are John and Sherry?!” Apparently he is unaware that you are our extended family.
After 20 years, we actually found ourselves with too many ornaments, so last year we spread them all out and set aside any we couldn’t remember the story of (though anyone could save one if they just liked it). We gave the “extras” away at our Christmas party, serving them on a tray like hors d’ouvres. The few that didn’t get taken went to Goodwill.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! I love that convo!
xo
s
Lea says
Beautiful! We love using the special ornaments we’ve collected since we got married. our 4 yr old decorated the tree and loves moving stuff around so the special ornaments are taking a little break and staying in the box this year. I do plan to get then out and take pictures of each one. Then I’m going to start an ornament journal/album and write the story of each one (because I’m afraid I’ll forget too.lol) I plan to keep it in a different spot tho, fire safe maybe? a friend had a fire in her basement and lost all her Christmas stuff. I figure if that ever should happen, atleast I’ll have the album to remember them by.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds sweet!
xo
s
Laura says
My Mom always decorated our tree with personal ornaments and now I do the same. She loves ornaments and has so many that you can barely see the tree underneath! She also insisted that she get an artificial tree that ROTATES “so you can see all the ornaments.”
YoungHouseLove says
I love it! Spin cycle, baby!
xo
s
Julie B says
We have always had a family tree. Like you, I love showing my children the ornaments that adorned my father’s childhood tree, or the ones that my mother’s best friend made for me when I was a child. Each year, Santa brings each of my children an ornament in their stocking. We put their initials and the year on the back (or bottom) and when they are grown and on their own and have their own trees, they will have plenty of ornaments with which to decorate them.
Janet says
So beautiful! I was raised with Christmas trees full of gifted and homemade ornaments, and they are my favorite. We added some very simple gold balls and red beaded garland this year, but otherwise, the ornaments all have a story.
Jodi says
so beautiful!!
Mallory Moore says
We cut the very end of our tree off every year and make an ornament out of it. We usually write the year on it. Super simple and a good memory.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
suzanne says
Looks great – I prefer a family tree as opposed to a theme myself. When I was a kid my dad and I made salt – dough ornaments. My parents still hang them on their tree and it was a great memory.
Morgan says
Love it!! Our trees have been filled with sentimental ornaments ever since I was a kid. We’ve never had a “theme” tree. I even have a small journal (that doubles as an ornament) to record our ornaments and a little story behind them (just in case we get old and can’t remember anymore, haha). My husband and I now have so many ornaments between the two of us that we decorate a real tree AND a fake tree on the 2nd floor.
Lisa says
Beautiful tree! The last picture made me smile and say “awww”, with the initials J,S,C, and B – because I assumed the B was for the “bun” (or “baby boy”)! Then I thought, maybe it’s for Burger! Either way, a nice sentiment! I was wondering if you were going to make a special ornament for the baby?
YoungHouseLove says
We have to add one for the baby boy when he comes!
xo
s
Skooks says
When I was a kid, my mom made my sisters and I ornaments every year. Now that I have my own kids, I am doing the same. I wrote a post about last year’s roundup here: http://www.skooksplayground.com/2012/12/the-ornament-legacy-2012-edition.html
I’m in the middle of working on the latest batch right now! It’s always fun for me and the kids will have their own collection of ornaments to adorn their own trees when they’re old enough to move out on their own.
YoungHouseLove says
So much fun! Thanks for sharing all the stories and links guys!
xo
s
Ellen says
I’m a big fan of homemade/sentimental ornament-decorated trees. That’s all we’ve ever done at my house! Looks great!
CarrieE says
I so enjoy seeing your trees each year. This is my favorite tree yet! Your reindeer have come into their own this year in their placement near the tree and I’m digging your creative tree “skirt”. Oh, and the windows, I’m pining (haha, pun intended!) for windows like those for our family’s tree.
Beth says
Each year we take our boys to pick out special ornaments. Our tree is covered in random ornaments that they have picked out over the last five years. Some of my favorites are the flamingos, T-rex, power rangers, a lipstick, and this random black glitter ball.
The boys help decorate and it is so fun to watch them relive the memories of picking out ornaments each year. Of course the tree is a great conversation starter for guest…they usually just stand there a bit confused. Then they ask “So why do you have a T-rex and a Superman car on your CHRISTMAS tree?”
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo
s
Erica says
My parents’ tree has the same theme- mom’s Precious Moments ornaments from every year, ornaments we made as kids, ornaments collected on vacation, and stuff like that. She has so many ornaments that the tree is filled! I am like you guys- I don’t have enough of those ornaments to put on one tree yet. So I have a theme too. I can’t wait until I have handmade ornaments from school from my own little ones someday. But I LOVE that you guys have the “family” theme this year- it seems so appropriate, with the new baby, the new house, etc… Clara looks so proud of herself! I can’t believe how big she is! And I LOVE that new-to-you tree! The droopiness of it is so cool. :-) It looks great in that window.
Dominique Paolini says
Since you asked… Here are my trees! http://gustoandgrace.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/o-christmas-trees/
I love your red reindeer and the faux fur rugs and a tree skirt!
YoungHouseLove says
Pretty!
xo
s
Ashleigh P says
For what it’s worth…I started a photo book of all the ornaments and jotted a little note about it’s origin a few years ago. The hubby thought I was crazy at the time but it’s nice to know that in 20 or 30 years when it’s time to start passing them down I will know exactly where they came from. We also began purchasing one ornament as a souvenir from each trip we take so as I decorate the tree each year it’s sweet to relive all those memories. Anywho…Merry Christmas Petersiks!
YoungHouseLove says
So smart!
xo
s
Beth says
We’ve been known to pick our annual ornaments up on vacations too. Love it!
Isabel says
Love the tree! I have to agree with other readers that this is my favorite one :) Love the little wood ornaments, so simple yet so fun. I had 2 full-sized trees last year but this year I decided to just do one. I’m a sucker for real trees though; I think growing up in Puerto Rico, where the tree selection is limited and they die so fast, will do that to you. Here I’m like a kid in a candy shop marveling at the incredible selection of lush trees and running around telling them how pretty they are. My husband was very sweet and put the lights on the tree this year (probably the one major downside of real trees) and then we added everything else. The rest of the house looks like a bomb went off with all the Xmas stuff lying around waiting for me to decorate, but the tree is beautiful and I love it and I tell it every morning how pretty it looks :)
Careen says
I think this is your best tree yet. I love all the color.
Leslie says
Your tree looks great! I’ve never had an artificial one, but I guess with all the ornaments on it you can’t tell the difference?
YoungHouseLove says
If you get really close or touch it during the day you can, but even up close at night it’s pretty convincing!
xo
s
Christy Maynard says
This is the first Christmas for my husband and I after we were married this summer. He’s not big into decorating trees (or Christmas) but my passion and enthusiasm for the season made him willing to let me decorate one this year. I have a faux tree that I’ve had since 1999 that is still in excellent condition. When I bought my condo two years ago, I cleaned out all my old ornaments (that were also from 1999). I just recently purchased all new ornaments and decorated my tree in a sort of rainbow gradiant. I think it came out wonderfully!
I hope this link works. I can’t seem to access instagram on my work computer.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10152450732732538&set=a.108290537537.119809.532457537&type=1&theater¬if_t=like
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome! The link isn’t working for me right now but my phone might just be being glitchy!
xo
s
Angela Wilson says
I love these!! Reminds me of the cute wooden invitations from Making it Lovely!
http://makingitlovely.com/2013/12/04/diy-wood-slice-holiday-party-invitations/
Very pretty.
YoungHouseLove says
Love those! Nicole is so creative!
xo
s
Lindsay J says
Growing up, we always decorated our tree with meaningful ornaments. I never thought it looked pretty because it didn’t “match.” But now I appreciate it. It was filled with the handmade ornaments we made at school and the ornaments relatives gave us as meaningful gifts. Now that I have two boys, I am making ornaments with them to help decorate OUR family tree. I think those are the best!
Allison says
This is my favorite of your trees to date!! Love it! I don’t like unpersonal ornaments and just don’t get the point of buying all new “themed” ornaments every year. The ornaments should just be a progression and growing collection of special meaningful ones. I DO like a set of one kind that ties it all together (like the wood ones). I’m really into rustic modern country, so this is really up my alley!! My husband just made me a star tree topper out of some reclaimed barn wood that we found. I’m so in love with the beauty of the old wood!
Tania says
I love the wood slices!! I wonder if I could cut some and bake them to dry them out faster? Hmm…!!
Alissa says
Your “one ornament per branch” reminded me of when my sister and I decorated the tree one year as kids. She was four and hung every ornament she was given in the same four-branch sector. (I still don’t know how she crammed twenty ornaments so close together.) We I didn’t notice until everything was almost done, and six-year-old-know-it-all-tattletale-big-sister that I was, I exclaimed, “Mom, LOOK what she DID! She did it ALL WRONG!”
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Beth says
My kids do that too! I wait until it’s been a few days and slowly start spreading them out so it is more even!
Kim Wethe Rily says
As the mother of a just 7 year old girl and a 4 year old boy… yeah. I could totally see that happening.
Laura says
That P stencil ornament is so adorable! I’d ask you where you got it, but I know… it was a reader gift (from me!) at the Holiday Homes last year. :)
Glad it found a home!
YoungHouseLove says
Love it so much!!
xo
s
Joy T says
Starting with our honeymoon, we have bought an ornament every time we go on vacation. Just to make sure we don’t forget where they’re from, I bought some small scrapbooking tags to hang on the ornaments that tell where they are from and what year. I plan on labeling them as we un-decorate the tree this year!
Jennifer says
Just another vote for noting the year and location on the bottom of special ornaments in sharpie. We also mark the first initial of each kid on their ornaments (gifts from grandparents or Santa, ones they picked out themselves, etc.). We’ve found that over 15 years, the memories of exactly which location a vacation ornament is from start to fade (Is this cactus from Arizona in ’98 or New Mexico in ’05?) And my mom packed up a box of all my ornaments and gave them as a fun housewarming gift for my first place, so the kids’ initials help with that many years from now project.
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo
s
Kellee says
Oh man, is that girl a cutie! So glad she got to get in on the tree decorating action this year :)
Tanya says
This is all so sweet – the theme, the handmade ornaments, and your steady-hand helper!
We have started the tradition of getting one special ornament each year when me and my now husband started living together. And each kid gets an ornament each year, as well, so they’ll each have a collection when they move out (not for a while, though! ^_^ )
Each ornament is tied to a special event or dominating theme of that year, which helps us remember what year each ornament is from. For example, my youngest son was diagnosed with a heart defect in-utero, and I just happened to buy a heart ornament made from recycled tin can maybe a week before the diagnosis, and it just seemed so eerily appropriate. So he’s got his first ornament before he was even born (he’s fine and is developing normally after getting a surgery at CHoP)
Also, your tree looks really nice and realistic-looking. When we have space for a bigger tree, I’ll probably start looking for a nice investment-type tree, but for now, our $24 on clearance tree from Rite-Aid works fine ^_^
Carrie says
My Grandma has given each of her granddaughters a Waterford crystal ornament-so I have 28 of those and then with clothes pins I added our make-shift Advent Calender scrapbooked “ornaments”. To add some more red and green color, I added some ball ornaments that we got on clearance from Target after the holidays. With the crystals and vintage scrapbook paper ornaments, it really looks old-fashioned and vintage! I have a feeling with a 6 month old this year, this might be the last time the crystals make their appearance for quite awhile…*tear*
Sarah R says
Sherry! I just saw this:
http://www.cb2.com/novogratz/novogratz/goldie-the-wall-hanging-ram/s268127?aff=cj
and thought of you!
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!
xo
s
Sally G says
My favorite part of Christmas is getting out the ornaments every year and going through them and remembering all of the good times. I like to pick up Christmas ornaments to commemorate vacations and such so it’s like taking a walk down memory lane every year. All of your trees have been gorgeous, but this one is definitely my favorite! Beautiful!
Leslie says
I love Christmas, and I love Christmas trees! I used to put up 3 in my home, until I got divorced… I brought all my Christmas stuff to work for free storage, so now at work, I put up SIX trees. All themed differently… I have a silver/crystal tree, a red and white tree with poinsettas, a kitchen tree with apples, pomegranates, cranberry garland and popcorn strings, a “guy” tree with shotgun shells, red solo cups, atlers and gold to mellow it out, I also have a white tree with red, white and blue ornaments with flags also, and another white tree with collected frog ornaments and green snowflake garland and green felt snowflakes.
I love to show off my trees and would love to meet some local YHL peeps, so if you’re in the Bay Point, CA area… send me an email and maybe you will come visit my winter wonderland. ([email protected])
My kids and I made cinnamon applesauce ornaments, they were fab, I highly recommend them.
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds awesome!
xo
s
Gina says
Wow. That tree does look real. :) I love it and can imagine all the wonderful memories you made decorating it together. It always boggles my mind when I hear of people (women) putting up and decorating their trees BY THEMSELVES! :O I love the pictures of Clara!! So sweet!!
Casey @ Waffling says
Why did you chose the office? In my family it is always in the family room so we can enjoy it every moment leading up to Christmas (we also do a “fancy” one in the formal living room, but that isnt where we open gifts). We also like the family room so the adults can sit on the couch while they open
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t really have a spot in the living room and that big bay window (and seeing it from the street out the window) swayed it to that spot. We think the previous owners used that spot too, which is funny!
xo
s
Jennifer says
Wow putting up your trees from years past reminds me of how long I’ve been reading your blog. I specifically remember the citrus tree you did in 2009 because I tried putting orange slices on my tree that year.
Except mine wasn’t as pretty because I used leftover orange skins because I’m much lazier than you guys. I had read something (from your blog?) that cats hated citrus and would leave the tree alone. Our cat didn’t care and still climbed in the tree anyway. So our tree is all bent up from cats nesting it.
For our tree, I made things easy on myself and I just stick with a theme of red and gold. I am particularly attached to a gold reindeer. I am not very creative design wise so it keeps my engineer brain happy when pulling out the decorations.
I never post – but wanted to wish you a great holiday and thanks for all your great posts and content.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jennifer!
xo
s
Susan says
Love your tree! Our tree is always a walk-down-memory-lane “theme.” We have lived and traveled all over the world, and we always buy a Christmas ornament (or something we can use as an ornament) as our souvenir – it’s easy to transport, and makes our tree special. We also have many handmade ornaments, courtesy of our children and many friends. Our kids started collecting at an early age, too, and my newly married daughter now has a beautiful collection of her own, representing her life as a military brat! I used to think I would always remember where every ornament came from, but time has proven me wrong! Now, I always write the place and date where we bought it in small letters on the bottom or other discreet place.
Erin says
I haven’t put up a tree this year. I’m still not sure that I am going to… It will depend on if people are coming to our house or not. If we had kids I would totally put one up, but for me and mine, its just not worth it.
Also, we just added another dog and I don’t want to worry about him and the tree this year.
Melissa@TheChicDream says
The tree looks awesome! This our first time using a fake tree since our apartment days. I’m not sold. We may be going back to the real deal next year! Our tree is pretty much in silver, black, white, and red but all of the ornaments are interesting and personal- no solid balls. I love unpacking the ornaments we have been collecting over the years. Next year you will have another little helper to help you decorate (well, not really help!)
Christine S says
Love the family tree!! We have one also in our den. We always make new ornaments each year. Snowman fingerprint ornaments on glass ball, Santa’s made with the kids handprints…….I think I will try the wood ornaments, we just had a cedar tree removed this year and saved some of the branches ( for another project I have yet to start…lol) Thanks Sher-dog for the inspiration and Merry Christmas to the Petersik’s!!!
Bethany says
This is by far my favorite tree of yours. I love all the special memories associated with each ornament. I think it’s so much more fun than having a difference theme each year. Starting when I was around 10 or 11 my parents started giving my brothers and I a new ornament each Christmas Eve. It was so fun to decorate the tree and re-discover all “my” ornaments each year. When I moved out and got my own place I took all my special ornaments with me so I still get to enjoy them every year :)
Amanda says
What settings do you use on your camera to get such amazing nightime tree pictures?!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Ananda! We just shoot in manual with a tripod, which keeps it steady. We try different focal points and lightness and just see what we like.
xo
s
Stephanie says
We buy ornaments on every vacation we take, so it’s always fun to see them on the tree and think back to where we have been over the years.
My in-laws buy the Hallmark series of ornaments for each of us. My husband started his when he was two, and the series is still going. There are so many of them (34 plus special commemorative ones) that we fill our entire buffet table with them. It’s really special.
Rachel D. says
My favorite of yours by far! There’s something about a family tree that just warms the heart! Next year there will be another baby’s first up there! :)
Beth says
My mom started this lovely tradition of buying dated ornaments every year for each of us kids and herself. So, when I got married and moved out, I got a box of ornaments, one for every year starting the year I was born. Usually the ornament represented something that we were interested in or doing that year, so it’s an awesome little look back in time at each person. We’ve continued it with our 3 kids now, but with 3 kids, we wait until New Years and go to Hallmark and buy them on sale after Christmas. It’s the same every year, but so full of family and history, we love it!
Kim Wethe Rily says
We always have our “regular” family tree. But sometimes (every other year) we buy a real tree in addition to our artificial one. Reusing is better and cheaper, but I love the scent of pine! Last year, we let the kids decorate their kids tree complete with paper chain, and all homemade ornaments. Lots of paper snowflakes, etc. Not all of which we kept, just some.
And every year, I’ll put some holiday pictures on the white ceramic shutterfly ornaments. It’ll be interesting to see how they hold up over the years.