I love creating family traditions. Most of them seem to center around the Christmas season. I’ve already mentioned our tradition of seeing Christmas lights. Another custom is picking out a new ornament each year. Not at the beginning of the season because that would be crazy. But we wait until the day AFTER Christmas when everything is on clearance. Then we haul the kids to the local craft store and let them choose whatever ornament they want.
My goal in starting this was for each child to have their own set of ornaments to take with them when they move out. And hopefully it would also bring back memories of their childhood because the ornaments they chose depicts beautifully their interests and personality.
So much so, it’s pretty easy to find which ornament belongs to which child. Generally speaking, all the silly, goofy-looking ones belong to the youngest. Let’s just say the more outlandish it is, the more likely it would be to catch his attention.
The more ornate, prettier ones belong to my daughter. She was really all about the shiny, sparkly ones as a child. It was such a contrast to what her younger brother always picked.
Of course as they got older their choice in ornaments changed. All except for my son, Caleb. His choice has stayed the same. He has 2 basic categories he likes to choose from, animals (particularly sea animals and dogs) and trucks. I’m always amazed at how he manages to find a fish or dog ornament. But each year without fail (as if someone hides it just for him) he always finds one.
I thought I had seen it all until one year he found a Santa riding a dolphin. We were all dumbstruck. In all my years of visiting that store, I had never seen a dolphin ornament. I know, because I’d been looking for one, knowing how much he loves dolphins.
So it was incredible that Caleb should find it. Needless to say, he was beyond excited about his find. And every year I put that ornament on the tree, I remember that moment. It truly is the perfect Christmas ornament for him. Now if we could only find the elusive T-Rex wearing a Santa hat….
I’m curious to know if you have any memories associated with your Christmas ornaments and what they are.