Meaningful Ornament Collections

     Last night we finished decorating our tree.  Here is the new view in front of the drapes I showed you how to make.  I am so in love with the look.  
       Our tree may not be a designer tree, but it has meaningful ornaments that we love.  Our children have their own ornament collections that we started for them from the time they were babies at their first Christmas.  When they move out of our house and start their own homes, they take their ornaments with them so that they have a start on their own tree. They usually receive ornaments that have special meaning to the events in their lives during the past year.  I gave Maddy and Jake theirs last night as we decorated the tree so that they could go ahead and use them this year.  I picked these up at Hobby Lobby when everything was 50% off.

Jacob completed his Eagle Project in October and will be receiving his Eagle Scout Award soon. It was quite an accomplishment.

Madalynn actually picked this ornament out because she has decided that she does love pink and sparkle after all.

       Many of the ornaments have been a part of our tree for years, and even though they may be getting a little worse for wear I wouldn't part with them.  Take a look at our tree topper angel.      

    Back in the 80's, when we were really broke and our older kids were little, we used to get real trees.  We were out searching for the perfect tree, and we found it! It was tall and shaped perfectly, but it was marked down to $10 (just in our budget) because the top was very crooked.  We took it, and I went home and made this angel from a wooden spoon and some eyelet that I had in my stash.  Her long skirt hid the crooked part of the tree perfectly and that was one of the most beautiful trees we had ever had.  Since that time we have almost always used this angel.  We tried something else a time or two, when my less sentimental children wanted a more traditional topper, but I always come back to this one.

       Early in our marriage, my husband was in the Army and we lived in Germany for two years.  Germany is Christmas heaven.  We collected some beautiful Christmas ornaments while there.  Here are a couple:

We have a set of these wooden angels, singing or playing instruments. They always circle around the top of our tree.

We lived off post in the basement of a Germany Family's home. We grew to love them as dear friends. The Opa (grandfather) did woodworking in his barn/workshop. He made us 3 of these bells.

      Of course, there have been a lot of homemade ornaments over the years.  Here are some of my favorites.

I made a bunch of these little hats one year. I just have one on this year, as a memory of that time.

I painted this heart to look like an apple. Maybe I will teach you how in another post.

My dear friend Pam taught me to make these quilted look ornaments one year. They are still beautiful.

      An easy way to get your kids involved in creating some nice ornaments is to get some of the adorable kits that are available to consumers.  That way you get everything you need all at once, you can personalize the ornaments and you can get kits that have enough for everyone, and even some to make as gifts.  Since today is Cyber Monday, there are some great deals for you.  Look at these cutegingerbread men, only $4. 98 for a dozen!  Here is a nativity kit, $5. 98 per dozen.  I love buttons, and I fell in love with this littlebutton wreath ornament. Since these kits come in packs of a dozen, they are perfect for families who do ornament exchanges with extended family. All 3  of these are at Oriental Trading.  If you sign up for their email, you will always be getting special offers, such as free shipping on any order. 
       Here are some paint-your-own ornament kits from Dollar Tree that you can order on-line if you want a lot of them, or you can buy them in the store for a dollar a piece.

       Some of the ornaments that my kids cherish are their Baby's First Christmas ornaments.  Because of gifts from other people, they often have more than one.

A dear friend crocheted these for my son when he was born. They were too tiny for his largish feet (for a baby) so we decided that they would make a sweet ornament. 17 years later, he still has them.

I also started this Hallmark train collection for him for his first Christmas. He has it through age 5.

This is a photo ornament celebrating my grandson's first year that we received as a gift last year.

     Here are a couple of cute ones you might like! 

    Today on Amazon, the Winnie the Pooh one is only $8. 95!

       My husband is a postal worker, so a number of the ornaments on our tree depict his occupation in a cute way.

     We also love our hand painted ornaments that we have received as gifts over the years.

One of my daughters painted this simple ornament and made it extra special.

A German Friend did a set of these for us.

My talented daughter-in-law paints many different characters.

       Last but not least, I love the ornaments that we have that depict the birth of the Savior.  Here are just a couple. 

     I keep on the look-out every year to add to my nativity ornament collection.  Here are a couple I have found.  Today would be a good day to order them.

         One last thing., Tree Skirts.  Can you see mine below the tree?

        It is quilted with appliqued apples on it and a big ruffle.  Very country style.  I love it, and I worked hard on it, so I am reluctant to change it out.  But, today Minted has 20% off of everything for Cyber Monday, and they have some beautiful tree skirts if you are in the market for one.  Look here at this link, there are a number of beautiful choices.

        Ornaments and Christmas decor are so much fun for me.  It is hard to know when to stop.  Every year as our collection gets larger, I have to pick and choose which ornaments to use.  I just need a bigger house so that I can have more than one tree!  I would love themed trees and different styles, just for the fun of decorating them.  (I just won't think about the undecorating after Christmas.) So, with that I will leave you with a small slide show of a few more ornaments I haven't shown you yet! Do you have some favorite ornaments? Tell me all about them!