Sometimes I think about how much fun it would be to have a tree with ornaments all of one color, or a tree with only one type of ornament. I think about what it would be like to have a very formal tree, or maybe a woodland tree, or a tree filled with nothing but vintage ornaments. Every year though, as I hang my ornaments, I realize that our tree is the most beautiful tree in the world!
Ours is a tree filled with ornaments collected over the years of our marriage and reflects the history of our little family. The ornaments on my tree remind me of the various seasons of my family’s life, hard times, fun times, stressful times, crazy busy times, times when my family members made me feel so proud that I thought I would burst, and times that were filled with love . . . no matter what.
Now that the girls are long grown, and living far, far away, decorating my tree has become even more precious to me as each ornament placed holds a special memory. Yesterday’s post shares one of those memories along with a Bird-in-a Teacup ornament tutorial. Today I want to share with you why my tree is The Most Beautiful Tree in The World.
Not every ornament on my tree is fancy. Many are hand made and even rather rustic. But they are holders of our history . . . like the years that we did community theater together as a family.
Especially the Christmas musicals that made our holidays a bit more stressful but oh, so FULL.
Our tree has some special ornaments on it, like the Thomas Kincaid houses . . .
. . . that my mom gave us as a gift.
Our tree has ornaments from places we’ve vacationed . . .
. . . and places where family members live.
It has ornaments from our former home state . . .
. . . and a favorite University (Go Huskies)!
An ornament that reminds me that we have a wee bit ‘o the Irish in our heritage.
An angel ornament from a family wedding.
This one reminds me of our time living in the Lake House and hubby’s intention to catch more fish!
These two were made to reflect a hobby we share and hope to continue in the warmer waters of the Southeast.
Here is the gift of a nest left on our front door by a very brave bird (filled with one of my velvet pumpkins because who doesn’t have velvet pumpkins hanging on their Christmas trees?).
This is one of a set of ten faux crystal ornaments that I bought when we couldn’t really afford them but they were on sale after Christmas and I wanted their sparkle on my tree . . . still do.
This is a vintage Santa whose face I adore . . .
. . . and vintage cardboard ornaments that somehow remind me of childhood.
We have a whole set of small dolls that adorn our tree because that is the kind of ornament that every little girl loves. They are a bit shabby now from those little girl fingers. I don’t mind.
Something new was added to the tree this year, glittered peacock feathers to match the colors in my living room.
There is more, so much more, that I haven’t shown you but I think you get the idea. By now you know why I will never be able to have a designer Christmas tree in my living room. How could I even think of it when I already have The Most Beautiful Tree in the World? Or is it? A reader recently commented to me that the most beautiful tree in the world is really the one that Jesus hung upon to save a dying world from sin. Wow! This profound truth is one I hope we will all consider during this season of His birth.
My hope for you is that you will find joy in what you already have. It is SO much better than chasing after something you think you need!
Blessings dear friends,
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So Pretty! Love all the different ornaments you used.
BLOGS should have a like button , so when you don’t really have anything to say but just want to indicate how much you enjoyed looking , you can just click like…now that would be lazy wouldn’t it.
Your tree is lovely! I have strayed away from what my girls use to call “The Family Tree” to more structured styles. All “gold and red” or a “woodland tree” and all the trees in between. Is it a coincidence that I am thinking of going back to “The Family Tree” next year and I come upon your post? I think with all of the trouble that we see or read on the news these days, we are craving something that makes us feel secure. At least I am. Something that says home, safety, love, memories, you get the idea. Your tree says all of that.
I share your feeling completely. If I need to see a perfectly matched and decorated tree I will go to a department store.
I love the Space Needle ornament.
In 1962, my sister and I were spending a month with our grandmother in Portland. For one week, she dropped us at our aunt’s house in Seattle. Every single day for a week, Aunt Irene dropped us at The World’s Fair and every single day we wished that we could ride to the top of the Space Needle, but we didn’t have enough money.
Fast forward to 2003, my sister, Steve and I were in Seattle for Aunt Irene’s 90th birthday party. My sister and I wanted to have lunch at the Space Needle and Steve said, “we don’t need to do that.” My sister and I spoke at the exact same time, “YES WE DO! Finally, over 40 years later, we got to ride to the top of the Space Needle. We should have bought ornaments for our Christmas trees.
It was funny reading this blogpost today. It is the same thing I wrestled with as I decorated for Christmas this year. I couldn’t leave all my treasures packed away in order to achieve the “perfect tree”. The more I think about it though, I think the most perfect Christmas tree is the one my King adorned as a sacrifice for me. Hope your Christmas is filled with many blessings!
Your tree is stunningly beautiful! Christmas memories are the most precious. My tree is covered with ornaments that my mother gave each of our children as they grew up and small stuffed figures with their names embroidered on each one. I always say I am going to have a tree with one color,but in the end the memories steal my heart. Merry Christmas.
Patti,
Absolutely gorgeous, dear friend!!!
Thank you for sharing your lovely memories!!!
Fondly,
Pat
What a lovely tree! (I rather like these snowflakes falling across my screen too!) I know what you mean about all those memories tied up in your ornaments….we too have the most beautiful tree in OUR living room…..LOL.
Thanks for sharing Patti, I know it brings you comfort and joy to see and feel each one as that particular memory floods your heart. Blessings to you and Mr OTN
You’re right the tree is Beautiful.
Merry Christmas!!
Sue
This tree is absolutely beautiful! I feel like it’s so bright it must look like day time in there!
liz @ sundays with sophie
Patti, I totally agree! It’s the ornaments collected over the years that tell a story that fill the branches of our tree each year. Pulling them out of the boxes each year feels like a dear old friends coming to visit. I’ve never wanted another kind of tree.
Merry Christmas!
I enjoy when ornaments have a special meaning. I have a very special ornament from one of my grandmas and I enjoy getting it out every year!
I love the Thomas Kincaid houses. Very pretty! Visiting from Coffee for your Heart. 🙂
Patti,
Your tree is so pretty — love all those nostalgic ornaments and the white lights make it glimmer so beautifully! Merry Christmas to you and I look forward to your posts in 2016!
We did a couple of different trees this year. Our main tree is a rustic one, with all kinds of things in it. Bird houses, spray painted stars, homemade twine balls, even a clock! We have a crystal tree with all crystal and white ornaments. I took tea cups and the cups from an old punch bowl set hung them from branches with pretty ribbons. And then I have what we call our special tree… we have picked at least one ornament every year that captures the essence of something that happened the previous year. Some are store bought like for “Baby’s first Christmas” but others are homemade, like there is a soft squeeze ball that my husband used in therapy the year he had shoulder surgery and a pair of chattering teeth with rhinestones glued on to commemorate the year someone had braces. It’s one of the most treasured trees we have and I would highly recommend this tradition so newly weds. After 25 years, its is such a fun walk through memories every year we put it up.