Christmas Tree Ornaments

Did your family have heirloom or cherished ornaments? Did you ever string popcorn and cranberries? Did your family make ornaments?

I think the cherished ornaments were the homemade ones that I made in kindergarten. We mostly had glass balls. There were some that had some sort of sunburst in them that were kind of different. I only remember one time we tried the popcorn stringing. We didn’t make ornaments for the tree on a regular basis, but every now and then there was one.Today, I collect Christmas tree ornaments for places I visit. I’ve also got a few that either mom or I have made from craft type things. I’ve got ornaments that have been given to me that make me remember the person who gave them to me as I hang them.

I'll try to share a bit about the ornaments in the collage.

First row, first ornament - Yellowstone National Park. I got this on my first visit to Wyoming. My brother had been transferred with Wal-Mart to Sheridan. We decided to go to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks while we were out there. My parents had driven from Mississippi, but I flew from Cincinnati, where I was then living into Billings, Montana where my brother met me at the airport.

First row, second ornament - Operation Christmas Child. Most folks are familiar with their shoebox program at Christmas. Last year I had the opportunity to go over to Boone to help get the boxes ready for distribution. They gave all volunteers this ornament as a means of thanking us. We worked a two or three hour shift, and I believe we were all exhausted at the end of the time. It's a little late to prepare a shoebox for this year, but I hope all of you will consider putting together a shoebox for next year.

First row, third ornament - Cincinnati Reds, 1990. This ornament commemorated their sweep of the Oakland A's in the World Series. This was when I was living in Cincinnati. I remember really celebrating that win. I had one of those craft brooms on my door with a bunch of cut-out A's under the straw.

First row, fourth ornament - My best friend who knows how much I love the Vols gave me this Smokey ornament.

Second row, first ornament - This is from today's Ladies Brunch at church. It's my newest ornament.

Second row, second ornament - Wall Drug - If you've never been to this South Dakota landmark, it's worth the trip for the glass of free ice water.

Second row, third ornament - This ornament with a sled was given to me by some special friends who live in Virginia.

Third row, first ornament - Roy Rogers-Dale Evans museum in Branson. I got this one the year the Association of Christian Librarians Conference was in Springfield, Missouri. A few of us snuck down to Branson during a break in the conference.

Third row, second ornament - This is actually a left-over from some ornaments that I gave to other people one year. I believe I purchased it at Cracker Barrel.

Third row, third ornament - This angel was given to me by a colleague in Cincinnati. It's a beautiful angel.

Third row, fourth ornament - This is an ornament made with beads and fishing line that I made last year. I've got lots more beads and fishing line and plan to make more if I ever have the time. We made this at the story time that the student organization I sponsor at work hosted.

Fourth row, first ornament - This is the bottom part of an ornament that my Mom purchased for me on one of their big post-retirement trips. I believe she got it in Oregon.

Fourth row, second ornament (in third column) - This is an ornament I purchased in Charleston, South Carolina. It depicts Rainbow Row.

There are lots more, but I thought I'd just share a few!

I thought Randy might appreciate the following ornament from the San Diego Zoo. I got it on a visit in 2000.