Vintage Christmas ornaments

Many of the decorations on our Christmas tree have been in the family since I was a child. A few, like the glass chimney sweep in this picture, are from before I was born.

I have always loved the little elf band and the angel choir with their pipe cleaner legs and arms.

These lovely ornaments are now part of my children's Christmas tradition too.

Each year as we unpack the old beat-up cardboard box where these treasures are stored, we treat each item with reverence and we reminisce over eggnog of Christmases past, and the people, now gone, that we have shared them with.

Fewer of the delicate glass balls go back into the box at the end of the season. It is so easy to put a finger through these fragile ornaments, or have them slip out of your hands in an inattentive moment.

Still, it is always a delight to open the old box and see these lovely adornments cheerfully waiting to go on our tree. They are like old friends.

I am happy to think of passing these treasures down to my own children, now grown and on their own. I hope that they will someday have the pleasure of unpacking them with their own children and sharing the excitement and anticipation of the season.

My son and daughter can tell their little ones of the holidays spent with their grandparents and great-grandparents and in the telling feel the real meaning of Christmas.

Happy Holidays to all of you!

Hugs,

Susan