Christmas Tree Decorations

Yesterday afternoon, I spent a deliciously quiet time with a dear friend sharing tea and conversation, while sitting in front of her fireplace and Christmas tree.  After talking a while, we got closer to the tree to visit with memories and her decorations.  We shared laughter and friendship, and decades of memories linked to various ornaments on her tree. When I came home again, I spent time really looking at ornaments on our tree, just allowing memories to flood my busy mind and settle me. 

This little blue felt dress was a gift from my younger daughter.  Handmade from recycled materials and complete with a tiny metal hangar, which you will see, if you look closely.  She made one of these for each of my sisters and me; when I see them on many trees, I am reminded of her artistic ability.

This handmade snow person is a gift from my older daughter.  It reminds me of all the snowmen and snow women we built over the years, with various scarves, hats, mitts and carrot noses.  A remembrance of playing in the snow together.

This is one of many crocheted snowflakes on our tree; all shapes and sizes, each with a shared memory of the person who gave it.  Some were made by my first mother-in-law, beautiful delicate designs.  Some are gifts from children or sisters or friends.  I love them all.

This is a whimsical Krinkle decoration I bought for myself one Christmas years ago.  There isn't any place here which sells them anymore, so I will have to search online if I want more. I like the over the top silliness of this ornament.  It is a Christmas stocking but it has feathery hair and feelers and a tiny face peeking from under the feathers.  It's holding a gift in its thin arms.  A just for fun decoration!

This is another Krinkle decoration, one in the series of Santa's reindeer.  This one reminds me of my youngest sister who collects Krinkles and who first introduced me to these imaginatively detailed delights.   Her tree is full of them and is a treat to explore with her.

This chubby Santa came from my grandson.  Santa is hand knitted and looks as though he has had too much eggnog while sitting by the fire. 

Every year when trimming the tree, I remember the friends and family who have gifted our tree with such love and memories.  Every year, I appreciate anew the wonder of the relationships in my life and am grateful for all of them, especially at this season.

All photos are mine.  If you click on words in red, you will go to another website with additional information.

Please note:  I have checked out the current prices of Krinkles decorations online and they are ridiculous.  They are 4 and 5 times higher than what I paid.  It has been many years since I purchased the ones I have and I won't be getting anymore.  The handmade decorations are best!

Christmas Ornaments

Over the years of celebrating Christmas, the tree decorations change.  Some special ones remain the same; much loved and each attached to a significant memory or story.  I have an affinity for sparkly decorations.  This long shiny one was given to me

by a dear friend years ago.

This handmade hobby horse was a creation from one of my sisters.

This gold sparkled blown-glass heart

is the sole survivor of a set,

 I bought for myself the first Christmas I was alone. 

I cherish the memories that accompany this delicate heart.

This glass snowman with an evergreen tree hat reminds me

of the one who gave it

and of the love we share.

This whimsical glass ball overflowing with red feathers

 was created by one of my daughters while she waited in airports,

on her journey home one Christmas.

My Christmas tree is trimmed with memories of significant times

in my life and the significant people in my life,

who light my way.

Christmas Tree Progress

We buy our tree at a nearby lot run by a local charity, supplied with trees from a local grower.  It is smaller than usual, needs trimming and settling of boughs before we decorate.  Now the house is full of the fragrance of winter, cold air and balsam.  We inhale the outdoors, breathing deep contentment.

After the tree branches settle, we add lights and the tree topper, a poinsettia fairy with feathered collar!  The warmth from the lights enhances the balsam smells.

Gradually, we decorate with the lightest weight ornaments,

as the tree's branches are tender

and easily bend with too much weight. 

Much of what we usually add to the tree

are handmade ornaments

and keepsakes from over the years,

which are too heavy to hang.

Now it's time to clean up the boxes and bags left behind

and sit with an eggnog by the fire, enjoying the tree,

breathing in Christmas.

Christmas Tree is Complete

The Christmas Tree is finally up and decorated!  Yippee!

Christmas Rain

Christmas ... the rain makes everything sparkle!

Christmas Tree

One of my favourite parts of Christmas is the tree.  I love the lights, the glow, the sparkle and the fragrance. 

I’ve tried all sorts of trees over the years.  Artificial: easy, tidy, always a good shape, no daily watering but no outdoorsy smell. (Scented candles help.)  Pine: prickly, difficult to decorate, hands need recovery time after decorating is finished, smells great.

I’ve tried various real trees from tree lots and tree farms and roadsides and fields.  Some dry out too quickly and needles fall before Christmas comes.  Some were so fresh that the branches remained pliable after Christmas had passed.  

The outdoors has a much higher ceiling than home; occasionally I’ve had to trim a few feet of tree to get it into the house.  Some come so oddly shaped that the most creative cutting and sticking-in of additional branches couldn’t salvage them.

I’ve had trees that came with bird’s nests and mossy growths and trees that were so bad, there wasn’t any “good side”…and yet every tree has been special, when decorated.

There have been years with no tree or extremely small trees (the size of driveway markers) or birch trees or tiny ceramic trees.

And yet…

Every tree has had redeeming features, and the soft glow that called for egg-nog and carols playing, and relaxed happiness.

One of my favourite parts of Christmas is the tree.