While cleaning house for the holidays, I got to gazing at my Christmas tree (anything is better than mopping, right?). Some people decorate trees as an accessory to their decor- certain colors, styles, etc. We go the other way- we have quite a variety of ornaments! Some are the basic glass balls, resin birds and sparkling snowflakes that many people have, but others are very special. It’s these other types that make decorating the tree such a treat- the ornaments that let you walk down memory lane as you decorate. There are three types of special kinds of ornaments we have. What do you have on your tree that makes it unique and special for your family?

1.The first category we have several of, and which are my absolute favorites, are our travel ornaments. When my husband and I went on our honeymoon, we picked up a Christmas tree ornament representative of the city we traveled to. Over the years, we’ve continued this tradition. We have ornaments from South Carolina, Boston, Kansas, Nebraska, England and several other places, some specific to cities, some representing a particular activity we enjoyed on our trip. Every time we get them out, we relive all the fun we have had on our adventures together. And it’s always a treat to see guests’ reaction to our glass alligator, Beefeater or WWII plane! Strange things to put on a Christmas tree, maybe, but they help make the tree our own.

2. Years ago, my husband and his great uncle made several origami ornaments: swans, boxes, antelope, shrimp and others that are intricate and beautiful. Every year we take great care to put the best ones toward the top of the tree and keep them safe, but we also have a number that are showing their age. They also have teeth marks in them. We hang them at the bottom of the tree, and at night as we lie in bed we listen to one of the sweet sounds of the Christmas season: our cat beating the living daylights out of paper ornaments! Hey, a Christmas tree is a family affair!

3. Lastly, and something I think most families have, are the ornaments that have been passed on to us from our own childhood Christmas trees. Years ago my mom passed her pretty felt “12 Days of Christmas” ornaments to me. I love to put them on my tree (high enough to be out of reach of the aforementioned cat) and remember decorating the tree as a kid. And yes, Mom, I still have the horribly ratty cotton ball snowman. My husband’s parents have also passed along treasures of Christmas Trees Past: the ornament to commemorate his first Christmas, some homemade ornaments he made as a child, and the only glass ornament from their long-ago tree that my husband didn’t break. Now, my children’s bead-and-pipe-cleaner candy canes hang next to mine, and my husband’s clothespin Rudolph has a younger herd to keep it company.

Of course we have the beloved crafts our children make at school, ornaments our family and friends have given us, and other things that are beautiful, and all have a place on our tree. But the ornaments I’ve listed are the ones that make our Christmas tree. I hope our readers will share the things that make their homes special over the holidays. So please, leave a comment!