I reluctantly started taking down the Christmas tree and decorations today. I always hate this part, it’s usually kind of depressing. This time, however, I decided to take pictures of each of the ornaments my mom has given me over the last seven years, and share their stories with all of you! This made it more fun (although it’s also a distraction because I still haven’t finished taking the tree down). 🙂
My mom is pretty crafty. Beginning in 2006, she has been making me an ornament every year that signifies something that happened that year. She also puts together packages for my two grandmas, with one gift to open each day of December up to Christmas Day. They both get so excited about having a gift to open each day, kind of like an advent calendar, only way more fun!
Christmas 2006
This is the first ornament I received for Christmas 2006. I had just returned from living in France for two years, hence the French theme. Mom visited me in Poitiers the year before, and we had a great time eating French cuisine, drinking French wine, and checking out the sites around Poitiers and Paris. The time changed the last night of mom’s trip and no one bothered to tell us (it changes in Europe on a different day than in the US). This was before either of us had a smart phone, otherwise this would not have happened! For this reason, she missed her flight home. It was a little stressful at first, but I thought of it as a blessing because this meant she got to spend one more night with me in Paris!
Christmas 2007
In December 2007, I graduated with my masters degree from University of Illinois. That was by far the most significant event that year, so of course my ornament commemorated it. 🙂
Christmas 2008
2008 was the year I began working for Shell. I was so excited to finally have a good job and get started on my career. 🙂
Christmas 2009
In the summer of 2009, my mom and I went on a trip to New York City. It was mom’s first time there and my second. The picture above is at a fancy restaurant where we dined one of the nights. We also went to see Wicked and another play on Broadway. We are way overdue for another trip!
Christmas 2010
I don’t have a handmade ornament for 2010. I guess Mom was short on time that year. haha I moved to Canada in 2010 and became an avid skier that winter. Mom gave me this ornament to remind me of all my weekends skiing in the Canadian Rockies. (too bad there are no mountains near Houston)
Christmas 2011
My brother had his first child in 2011, Cassandra Jane. She just turned three years old yesterday. My how time flies!
Christmas 2012
I bought a new house in 2012, so my photo in the picture was the same one I used for my Christmas cards that year. It was taken in my backyard.
Christmas 2013
And last but not least, Christmas 2013. I don’t know if Mom is planning to make me an ornament for this year. Sometimes she doesn’t give them to me until after Christmas, I guess I’ll just wait and see. Either way, I saw this cute little ornament and had to buy it for myself. It commemorates the year I bought Junebug! Here’s to hoping there will be another exciting event to hang on the tree in 2014. 🙂
Do any of you have fun Christmas traditions that you’d like to share?
junebugflying 
Mom here– that was so sweet. To be honest, I didn’t realize that I made you an ornament each year going back so far. I just make one when I have something to put in it. I do have plans to make one for this year– commemorating the birth of your nephew Ezra. His parents haven’t gotten theirs yet either. I’m inspired now to get started on it.
I had a feeling you might be planning to make one with little Ezra’s picture in it like you did with Cassie. Looking forward to adding it to the collection! 🙂