I’ve got a box stashed away in my basement, and believe me, it comes with a serious warning for my kids: don’t you dare put anything on top of it! I’m not kidding. Inside that plastic container are my most treasured holiday memories—things that are irreplaceable, and if anything were to happen to them, I’d lose my mind. Every time I open that box around Christmas, I’m flooded with joy.
In that box, you’ll find the gifts and ornaments that adorn my beloved memory tree. Some pieces date back to our engagement and wedding, along with ornaments from family vacations and weekend trips. Whenever we explore a new place, we grab an ornament as a memento. However, what brings me the most joy are the creations from my kids—those are the true treasures, both in my hands and in my heart.
My memory tree started as a tiny pencil tree when my first two children were little and began bringing home hand-made crafts. As our family grew, so did the tree. Now it’s a full-sized beauty that showcases all four of my kids. It’s filled with photos from their first Christmases and each school year. One of my favorite ornaments is a glass ball decorated with my youngest son’s fingerprints, and another features a Santa made from his tiny hand. Each time I look at it, I’m transported back to those sweet, innocent moments.
Now that my oldest is 13, the tree has many ornaments that celebrate him. I have a special keepsake from his very first Christmas, when I dressed him up in an adorable Santa suit to highlight his chubby cheeks and elfish grin. I still remember how he wasn’t a fan of that hat at seven months old, but somehow we managed to get a quick photo. He also made me a delightful candy cane in preschool, which I lovingly hang on the tree each year. It warms my heart.
Those magical Christmases filled with wonder and belief in miracles are so fleeting. Before you know it, your little one is asking for the latest gadgets instead of searching for your Elf On The Shelf. That little one who presented you with a beautiful homemade snowflake will only be small for a little while. My memory tree helps me preserve those precious years.
I know that eventually, my kids will stop crafting ornaments for me, and that thought saddens me. My eldest is in 8th grade now, and I doubt he’ll be making anything special for Mom as he heads into high school. Thankfully, I still have a kindergartner who loves arts and crafts, so I’m looking forward to a few more years of creativity from her.
The inspiration behind my memory tree comes from my mom. She has a similar tree in her family room that holds ornaments dating back to the ‘70s, including one I made when I was just three years old. It’s still in fantastic shape, thanks to her careful preservation. Some of those treasures are over 40 years old, including Cabbage Patch Kids and Smurfs. My brothers and I often joke about who will inherit the ornament of me in a Girl Scout uniform with the goofiest expression on my face!
Every time I look at that tree, I’m reminded of some of the best moments of my life. Is there anything more beautiful than being a child and giving someone a creation that came straight from your heart? I don’t think so. The fact that my mom has kept our childhood memories for so many years adds to the Christmas magic in her home. It’s so special for our kids to catch a glimpse of our past.
Right now, my tree makes my children beam with pride, admiring the beautiful gifts they’ve made for me. They may not yet realize that these ornaments are a representation of their childhood, but I hope one day they’ll look back fondly, just as I do every year.
During the Christmas season, after my children are tucked in bed, I often find myself turning off all the lights and gazing at the sparkling bulbs on the tree. It’s not a sad moment; it’s a moment filled with gratitude. I feel incredibly blessed to have my family, and my memory tree is a testament to that love. It shows how much they care, crafting something special just for me.
Everyone has their own holiday memories, and my favorite way to celebrate them is by showcasing this unique tree for anyone who visits during the festive season. People love to admire my children’s crafted ornaments and hear the stories behind each one. My tree tells the tale of our family, from our engagement through 15 years of marriage and counting.
This isn’t a tree you’d find in a magazine or a store; it’s filled with personal touches that may not appeal to my neighbors, like the NYC taxi cab ornament or a Mickey Mouse ornament from 2018. But to me, it’s infused with all the Christmas magic I cherish. I hope my children will continue to add their own creations for many years to come. And even when that homemade magic comes to a pause, I’ll always be able to reflect in the stillness of winter, remembering when life was truly the best.
For those interested in starting their own family journey, consider checking out resources like Make a Mom for at-home insemination options and the fertility treatment guide for helpful information. You can also join Make a Mom’s Facebook group for support in your journey. If you’re looking for ways to boost fertility, don’t miss out on the fertility boosters for men offered by Make a Mom. And if you’re curious about how at-home insemination works, take a look at this guide for more insights. Check out this blog post too, for additional tips.
In summary, my memory tree is more than just decorations; it’s a collection of love and cherished moments that tell the story of my family. As the years pass, I hope to carry on this tradition and continue creating beautiful memories together.
Leave a Reply