I'm often asked why I use so many old ornaments and decorations in my holiday decor. I prefer the term vintage as opposed to old, but hey, I'm not the one doing the asking.
Shiny Brite ornaments, kitschy plastic deer, raggedy little putz houses. They all have a special place in my home. And in my heart.
I think I like them so much for the tradition aspect of them. The tying together of generations with a strand of tinsel. A strand of tinsel that's knotted and tangled and maybe a bit discolored, but still amazingly strong and in one piece.
You see, most of my vintage ornaments hung on my grandmother's tree when my mother was just a child. She would chew on the celluloid Santa's boots. And, just like any toddler, stand in front of the tree mesmerized by the lights bouncing off the shiny ornaments.
When my mom grew up and got married, the ornaments were passed on to her and hung on the trees of my childhood. No chewing on ornaments for me though. I preferred candy canes.
Fast forward many many years and the ornaments have come home to my house where they now hang on my own tree for my son to see.
And hands down, my very most favorite part of the holiday season is the trimming of the tree with those old ornaments. It brings back memories of my mom trimming the tree when I was little.
The pulling out of the boxes. The unwrapping of the delicate ornaments. The oohing and aahing over each ornament. The ever important placement of each ornament in exactly the right spot.
My mom did it back then and I do it now. I treasure those memories and I try to decorate my tree with the same excitement, reflection, and tradition.
I hope I'm doing as good of a job of instilling a sense of holiday tradition in my son as my mom did with me.
BTW, I do find a lot of vintage ornaments at thrift stores and yard sales, but those are always packed away in separate boxes from my cherished family ornaments. Don't want to be mixing up my childhood memories with Maggie Sullivan's childhood memories!
Patti Estep
Pam, I'm writing an article about our tradition in two weeks. A few years ago we started a fun tradition at our house on Christmas Eve. The adults each bring a nice wrapped bottle of wine. They label of the wine should somehow reflect the person who brought it or as we have been doing this for a while you can include a note with a clue, poem, joke etc... Then we play a game trying to guess who brought which bottle and all the adults get to go home with a nice gift.
rush
We don't celebrate Christmas. Not everyone does. Ever since my mother-in-law died 8 years ago, we have been trying to find an acceptable Thanksgiving tradition. We used to go to her house and start the turkey in the morning and get most of the other things ready. She worked for AAA as a dispatcher and would always work this day. She had previously made nut bread, roasted almonds, savory cheesecake and a sweet cheesecake or some other dessert. She had also polished the silver so it was ready for our yearly traditional meal. So, when she got home, dinner was practically ready. She would make the gravy and we would sit down to eat. Sometimes, the "orphans" (those who had no friends or family to celebrate with) would join us, but usually it was just the three of us. We miss that tradition very much and can't find a suitable replacement although we have tried. It is wonderful that your sponsor will make contributions to Feeding America. This is one of our favorite charities, and we send money to them frequently.
Deanies Stash
What a nice post. I love the ornaments that were my grandma's but I also cherish the ones I find. I know exactly which are which.
lil_lady_dz
My family's holiday traditions involve baking goodies, decorating, crafting, and donating toys to toys for tots.
Nicole.ddziedzic at gmail dot com
Elena
We bake Christmas cookies and share them with family and friends
[email protected]
TARYTERRE
My family tradition for many years was decorating the tree with homemade egg ornaments I had made. Unfortunately we lost them when we donated our old tree to Goodwill. But I'm happy knowing someone, somewhere is still enjoying them.
Tammigirl
Our holiday traditions are a lot like yours - The things handed down and enjoyed by my mother and grandmother, my children, and in a couple of years, God willing, my own grandchildren(!) are especially important. To me, the most important part of Christmas is the time we get to spend with the important people. My family, from my cousin's 3 year old daughter to my 88 year old grandparents, is the real treasure.
Mami2jcn
We decorate our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and then we drive out to a local farm to look at their Christmas light display.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
kellyr78
My kids and I enjoy decorating the Christmas tree together. They especially like to find their hand made ornaments from years past.
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)
I love the Old ornaments and the feelings and memories they bring close and dear to the heart. Our Christmas tradition is to have our first big meal on Christmas Eve the opening of one gift, Christmas morning after Santa has arrived the grands open all their gifts, brunch follows with our second big meal. Mr. P would nap the afternoon away and the grands would love on their Christmas gifts. Daughter and I would share our time together visiting. This is the first year without Mr. P or the kids here, it will be just me and the dogs, trying to cope with changes. I always enjoy your posts. fondly ~lynne~
Shelley
love the "OLD" ornaments....they have style...they have memories...I am all about the vintage!!!
Mary Ann
For my sisters and I, the children's opera "Amahl and the Night Visitors" is Christmas. Our father got us hooked on it and 50 years later, we still try to find a local production of the opera. Some years we luck out, some not. And no matter how many times I hear the music, it brings tears to my eyes.
GinaE
It's always great to see the special ornaments and decorations we only get to bring out once a year.
Even more special that yours are family ornaments. Each has a story to share with your son as you place them on the tree. Many thanks for the chance to win your give away!!
Sandy A
For all my life until my husband and I moved away three years ago--Christmas Eve was at "Our" house, which was my mom and dad's. All my sisters and there families were there and my Gramma and Tante before they passed. After my mom passed we still met at "Our" house all together. It was never the same but still family together. One thing we always did was after all the gifts were open we threw the wrapping paper all over the room and at everyone. Sounds crazy I know, but it was really fun. My husband and I moved to be closer to one of our daughters and Grandchildren and we spent three Christmas's with them. They just moved away to NY last friday so this year it will be just my husband and I and our son who lives close. It will be sad but we will make the most of it and we will Skype with our daughters and their families so that will help.....
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
You are blessed to have vintage family ornaments! We only have a few, but I have gathered many other old ornaments over the years, that will be passed down to my children and grandchildren. So they are family ornaments now! We love gathering together to make cookies and lefse (a Norwegian flatbread) and some years we enjoy going to the theater and seeing a production of The Christmas Carol. Car rides to look at lights is always on the list!
Jan
Our traditions include family members competing to see who can be first to say "Christmas Gift" upon entering the house at any family gathering during the holidays. This is an old Southern tradition my late grandfather began, stemming from his meager childhood. During bleak depression years when there was no money for an actual Christmas gift, the sentiment of gift giving was conveyed by giving a verbal "Christmas Gift" instead.