Oh Christams Tree....Oh My Christmas Tree!

Christmas traditions mean so very much to all of us. This year is very special for so many reasons. Mostly because this will be our grand baby's first Christmas, but because we are settled in a very nice apartment and we are close to our children again.

Back in 1972, my dear cousin, Lennie, who is older than my youngest aunt (my Grama was a hottie!), made this entire nativity set in ceramics class. This was her wedding shower present to my hubby and I. Although is has survived 36 years of Christmas's, it has a few chips and I think the donkey is missing an ear, but tell me, who doesn't have a few chips after 36 years of life!
I can remember exactly where I purchased this beautiful bulb, The Festival of Trees. Always a fund raiser for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, this event was always fun to visit. Many years past, you could drink in over 200 different trees. Sadly, this year, the event was downsized and moved out of Atlanta. No matter where the event is or the size of the number of trees, it still raises needed money for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

This ornament expresses happiness and sadness at the same time. Sadness because this year, I gave my daughter all of her ornaments that were purchased for her by her Oma & Opa, her Dutch grandparents. She can now enjoy them on her tree. On the other hand, this ornament and the many others that were gifted to my son are still on my tree. It is only a few years before I bestow upon my son and his future wife all of his ornaments. But with a growing family, comes another chapter of life and that means more grandchildren!

This ornament may be scratched and worn, but I love it all the same. This little bell came off of my childhood tree. Not a lot of things were rescued from my childhood, but somehow, this bell and another one just like it managed to come with me on my road through life. One year for Christmas, I sent the "sister" ornament to my baby sister with a little note of its history. She now proudly places her bell on her own tree.

It is my hope that all of you readers and friends enjoy those traditions in your family, whether it be of the Christmas celebration, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or even if you do not celebrate anything in December, just hold your family close to you this year.