A Family Tree

Our tree is no longer a designer tree.  It doesn't match anything in particular.  It doesn't have a color scheme.  What it is, is a family tree. Every year one of our highly anticipated family traditions is to make our way on the first Monday of December, to a Hallmark store and let each kid pick out an ornament.  They aren't cheap ornaments, but they are well-crafted and they most often reflect the kids' interest or favorite movies in the prior year.  We have a lot of Harry Potter themed ornaments...and Mickey Mouse too.  One of the first years were were doing this, Isabel chose a pretty bird, and I kept that tradition going.  I buy a "Beauty of Birds" ornament each year (and there are usually 2 full size and 2 small).  My tree has a lot of very beautiful birds in it.

Last night, we decorated the tree after visiting Hallmark.  It was a lot of fun and the kids are always excited to see their previous year's ornaments.  Our tree is lovely.  It is a family tree.  It is more lovely than if it were professionally decorated with the finest and most expensive ornaments.  It reflects my family.  

Some not-too-distant year we will have a designer tree again.  It will be gorgeous when I put all my bulbs up again, but it will not be as full of love and therefore, not as lovely and beautiful as the one I have this year.  it will mean that my children have grown and have taken their childhood ornaments to their own family trees.  I cherish this time when they are still in my home and filling our home, and our Christmas tree, with love.

~Sara