As a newlywed, you quickly realize that an ornament collection is something that grows gradually over time. I’ll never forget the first year Bo and I bought a tree together, while living in Philadelphia, and realized we didn’t have any ornaments after we got home. We were both so accustomed to our family’s trees where there was never enough room for every ornament, even when there were two trees in the home.
That year we bought three packs of red, white, and gold ornaments at K-Mart to decorate our small tree. We decided that moving forward we’d buy an ornament on every vacation and then random bear ornaments here and there.
Now, four years later, we have finally developed an ornament collection that makes us smile each year when we relive our vacations and memories. Even this year’s seven foot tree is covered head to toe, at least on the front, by ornaments!
Last night, while decorating the tree, Bo and I especially loved these ornaments, each of which are now near and dear to our heart.
This ornament, Rudolph, is my maiden name and will always bring a smile to my heart when I remember all the years of torment I received during the holidays for having the same last name as the red nosed reindeer.
This ornament was given to us by our wedding planner and is the church where were married, Isle of Hope Methodist church.
My maid of honor, Amy, gave this to us our first Christmas! We forgot to buy an ornament on Anguilla, while on Honeymoon, but this personalized ornament includes a picture of us from our honeymoon, therefore making it a perfect substitute!
We bought this ornament, a pink Bermuda home, on our trip to Bermuda this May!
This ornament will always remind me of our first trip to Disney World together, enjoyed in January with Meghann and Derek!
Question: Have you started an ornament collection of your own? If so, what is your favorite ornament?
Christmas ornaments are the BEST tradition! My parents gave us each one every year and I just recently took mine to put on our own tree. Hubs and I also buy one from each trip we take as well. Such a nice way to remember our travels!
I also collect ornaments when I travel and love reliving all the places I have been each year as I decorate the tree. They make great souvenirs! I actually posted about the tradition on my blog earlier this week. (It’s the commentluv post below)
Thanks for sharing your tree!
I love these! I haven’t developed any way of getting ornaments, and all of mine from growing up are still at my parent’s house. I love the idea of getting them on major vacations though!
Your Christmas tree looks great and I really enjoyed reading about some of your favorite ornaments. I have an ornament that we’ve had since I was a baby that I always hung at the top of my parent’s tree and once I got married my mom gave it to me to hang at the top of mine and Allan’s tree.
My hubby and I do the same thing – buy ornaments as souveniors of our trips and adventures! This year’s buys include a pottery ornament in the shape of Michigan (our homestate) and a Detroit Tigers bulb (went to 3 games this year and are huge fans). It makes decorating so much fun to look back on all the memories!
I love how you guys have a tradition of buying ornaments on all your trips. That’s a great way to remember things and also reminisce as you decorate the tree.
Amanda: Thanks! It also helps us build our ornament collection which was pretty pathetic early in our relationship!