Some Things Never Change

As we put up our Christmas tree this year, I considered taking the decorating into a whole different direction.

                                                                            
                                                    Or...maybe something like this?

I mean, after all, ever since I was a kid, I've basically had the "same" tree year after year after year. And, I do claim to be pretty good at this design and decorating stuff. Shouldn't I have a tree with some edginess to it?

Most of my ornaments were handed down from my grandmother to my mother, and then to me. They're all the same ornaments that have adorned my family's trees for generations! Naturally, having my own family now, there have been additions. When I married my husband, his little cardboard box of ornaments from his childhood came with him. (He was a huge fan of dinosaurs in the 1st grade. Enough said)

So those are on our tree.

And what's a tree without those grade school masterpieces that come home with our children every year (at least up until about the 6th grade when it's just not cool anymore to be making Christmas decorations anymore)?

 Adore those. So, of course, those are on, too.

The ornaments from my grandmother and mother? - well, actually, many are vintage Shiny Brites of all shapes and sizes and STILL in their original boxes.

Love 'em. Although, not so much 20 years ago. But I am older and I'd like to think wiser now.


And not to mention the strands of glass bead garlands from the Italian side of our family. Love those, too.

Needless to say - as I opened the boxes to reveal all of these artifacts that honor and represent our family, past and present, I immediately became absorbed in the reminiscing that each evoked. Memories can become as fragile as these ornaments. But with traditions like this, hopefully we can do our small part to preserve not only these delicate mementos, but more importantly, our family's legacy.

From my family to yours, wishes for a loving and healthy holiday season!