You may have seen this photo of my tree that I posted earlier this month.
Yes, I stuff it full. It is a lot like the Christmas tree I grew up with, just smaller. Mom and Dad always brought in a huge tree, usually reaching the top of our 12' ceiling. And it would be loaded with ornaments. I think the last year they had the big tree there were about 1000 ornaments on it. When they moved to a smaller house, the ornaments were mostly divided up among my siblings that wanted them. Since I lived so far away, I didn't get any and actually didn't know that until after my parents passed away. At that time, some of my sisters gave me some of the old, cherished ornaments, and I began searching for more of the kinds I remembered from that long ago glorious tree. Here are some of my favorites:
This ornament isn't old, but it certainly reflects my love of tea.
An English choirboy, bought at Ely Cathedral when we were visiting England for the first time.
A WWII era Shiny Brite ornament, which was missing its cap, so I improvised. There were many like this one on my parents' tree.
(Shiny Brites have an interesting history, which you can read about here. I often included this story in my Christmas presentations.)
A vintage Polish "indent" ball, and an ornament from Salisbury cathedral, purchased when I was there in 2019.
More vintage Shiny British.
A lady named Rose Pullen from our county handpaints and beads these exquisite ornaments. I have 2 or 3, and hope to add another this year.
It is supposed to be good luck to have a nut on your tree, so I have this little carved angel holding a walnut. I have had her so long I don't recall where she came from.
Another good luck ornament: a pickle! And behind it a beaded ornament my mother made.
The handpainted delicate heart was brought back from Germany by my son after one of his tours there.
Another of Mom's beaded ornaments, and to the left and barely readable is the red glass ornament I wrote "Susie" on with glitter in 1962 or 63.
There are so many more favorites on the tree! It is always a pleasure to discover them again each year. Do you have favorites that you put on your tree each year? Or do you change it up, or do a different color scheme from time to time? And are there any "good luck" talismans on your tree?
Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.
