Family Ornament Tradition 2021

Family Christmas traditions are one of my favorite things. We have several traditions that we are obsessed with, including our family ornament tradition! This tradition serves a few purposes. We are collecting ornaments that represent precious memories from the year and building a collection of ornaments that the kids can have when they are grown.

The Ornament Tradition

Every year I purchase ornaments that represent the year for each kid. I may choose a sport they played, an action figure they are obsessed with, a hobby they picked up, a vacation experience, or anything that reminds me of that year and that child. We’ve had some really random things in the past… donut, scuba diver, Elsa, The Flash, horses, books, etc. I really just think back through the year and choose things that stick out to me.

The ornaments are always a SURPRISE. I don’t tell anyone what I’m ordering.

In years past I have only ordered felt ornaments. I do that for two reasons:

1. Felt ornaments are easy to store and they don’t break
2. My Mammaw had felt Christmas decorations that I always adored! She had felt stockings that she hung on her fireplace. There was one felt stocking that represented each family member. Just something that I’ll always remember, so I brought a piece of it to our family traditions. I’ll show you a pic of those in just a bit!

Where the Tradition Began

I mentioned above that I got this idea from felt stockings that my Mammaw always had hanging in her house. This year she passed away, and I was given her Christmas decor. These little felt stockings are so precious to me, so I dedicated a tree just to them! This pencil tree is now in our entry and it is covered with the felt stockings that remind me of my childhood. Since they are so colorful I used white and silver sprays, ribbon, and regular ornaments. I just love how it turned out, and now you can see where the felt idea came from!

Joelle’s Ornaments

1. Lion with a mane: We saw our first full-maned lion this year in Tanzania, so this ornament reminds us of tht very special moment!
2. Baby elephants are Joelle’s absolute favorites to watch when we are on safari
3. Humpback Whale: This year we saw the whales for the first time in Hawaii! Joelle would watch for them all day long.
4. Skier: Joelle LOVES skiing. She asked to have a skiing ornament to remember our trip to Utah.
5. Volleyball: This year Joelle made the 7th grade volleyball team, so we had to remember her first school sport!

Israel’s Ornaments

1. Humpback Whale: Israel’s favorite moment of our Hawaii trip was when a humpback whale swam right underneath our boat!
2. Lion with a mane: Remembering the first time we laid eyes on that full-maned lion!
3. Football: Israel decided he wanted to play football this year, so we got a football to remember his first season of flag football.
4. Cross: This year Israel decided to follow the Lord, so the cross represents the moment he accepted Christ as his Savior
5. Crocodile: In Tanzania Israel really enjoyed watching the crocs stalk the wildebeest. He lives for those wildlife moments!

Cherishing the Memories

These ornaments go on our family tree in the living room. I used to put playful ornaments on the playroom tree. Over the years I’ve given up trying to have the “perfect” Christmas tree in our main living space. Now I just enjoy looking at all of our memories from the years past. This family right here lives for all those Christmas traditions!

ORNAMENTS FROM THE PAST

Click HERE for 2020 ornaments

Click HERE for 2019 ornaments

Click HERE for 2018 ornaments

MORE ETSY SHOPS I LOVE

Here are some other shops I have ordered from and really enjoy:

LADYBUGonCHAMOMILE

and

MiracleInspiration