Treasured Christmas Tradition

THE ORNAMENT BOXES

There are so many traditions that keep us close during the Holidays.  While thinking about this topic recently, I easily decided that my most treasured tradition would have to be, the Ornament Boxes.   Here's how it works in our family.   From their first Christmas, each child had a decorated box for their ornament collection.  Any ornaments that were given to the child was placed in the box along with one that I would choose for them each year. Each Box was decorated in a different pattern and had their name attached.   From the very first "baby's first Christmas" ornaments to the more sophisticated ornaments of the  young adult time, each ornament was placed in the box.  As our family grew, so did the ornament collection and each box became full with the ornaments from Mom and Dad and also from grandparents, aunts and other people who love them.  And as the  boxes filled, a story was being told.  A story of childhood and interests, hobbies and sports teams.  To look through the box now is to take a trip down a treasured memory lane.    Remembering all the love and good wishes that accompanied each ornament fills my heart.  And as the future  husband and wives of my children become  part of our family, I start a box for them too.  This is my way of welcoming them to our traditions at Christmas.  When my grown children started lives in their own homes, they had a box of ornaments to hang on their very first Christmas tree in their new home. 

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