How Lovely Are Thy Branches

This week we decorated our tree. I love opening up the Christmas ornament box! Each ornament is wrapped individually in tissue paper and opening each one is like opening a little present. In each present is a memory from Christmases past.

A tradition my mom had for us kids growing up was to buy each child a new ornament every year, one that we got to pick out ourselves. She marked them with our initials and the year. Sometimes we would choose a traditional ornament - like an little angel or a shepherd but sometimes not and we would choose one that reflected what we were IN to that year as a hobby..... like a hot dog skier, a sewing mouse, a bunny rabbit cheerleader, a miniature piano, etc. I love finding the white lacy butterfly and the baby deer in a bulb that go back as far as I can remember. I also love finding the tiny nativity ornament that I brought home from primary when I was a sunbeam. Some are kind of tacky others beautiful, but to me it's such a nice way to have a piece of childhood and home with me for Christmas.

Kermit and I are also having lots of fun buying new ornaments. A few years ago we bought a ton of pretty crystally snowflakes on clearance from Pottery Barn. Last year we bought a ton of musical instruments. This year....TBD. Kermit and I both have pretty strong opinions about how the tree should look. Kermit likes a theme...I like the hodgepodge from Christmas past. So what do we do? Well, we try to shop together for new ornaments that we both like...AND we get two trees. A little one in the family room with all the fun memories on it and a thematic, fancy, sparkly tree in the living room to wow us every time we walk by.

Having the girls help us decorate was so much fun. All the ornaments ended up right at their level. The branches were so heavy from all the weight that the ornaments kept falling off. Kermit and I redecorated tonight. Both trees turned out just gorgeous I think. How lovely are their branches!