Every ornament has a story

I love our Christmas tree. There's no matching ball ornaments or ribbon to fill the branches. It's certainly not the type of tree you'd see in a storefront window or catalog. No, it's a smorgasbord (side note, as a kid, I learned the definition of that word through watching Charlotte's Web) of ornaments from over the years. And each ornament tells a story. So, as I sit here making myself sick on my mom's peanut brittle (another Christmas tradition, YUM!) I want to share with you a few of favorite ornaments and their stories.

Click on any of the below to see more detail...and I fully know that some of these are blurry!

My first ornament from my Papa.
And my last.
And the one I gave to my brother and sisters (and myself) in his memory last year.
Every year, he gave us an ornament. Some years he struck out (ahem, I left some in their boxes...) and other years he completely took our breaths away.
Some are simple.
And some unique.Others bring back such good memories! People may come over and ask why I have a naked doll on my tree. But I don't care. My Papa gave Kristina and me each an Hawaiian girl but they were not naked when we got them. But I was young when I got this little gal and wanted to dress her up. In the process, I ruined her clothes and my Hawaiian girl became nude. Kristina's still has clothing, but mine will forever adorn my tree in the buff. Placing her on the tree every year was a requirement when I was growing up and this year was no different.
Along with my Papa, my Granny gave me an annual ornament. I always got an angel from her. I actually bought this cherub from her because I thought he was incredibly cute. I remember opening this angel and thinking she was the most beautiful ornament ever. She was completely covered in glitter. I'd touch her and my fingertips would glisten. She doesn't have nearly as much glitter anymore, but I love her the same.
I also love this one from my Granny. Growing up, I'd place her crystal in front of a light bulb so it would scatter the light.
One of my more delicate ornaments from her.
And here's one of Craig's ornaments from her...to date, he has received Texas platters, Texas chili mix, a Texas chili bowl, a Texas money clip and a Texas Santa. I think she's trying to drive home a message....
My parents didn't have a theme in what they gave me. I have quite a few angels from them and lots of music-related ornaments. But this is one of my favorites. This is from my Pigbutt years.
This is my very own Chris-Rat. It's actually a mouse, but finding rats dressed up in Christmas attire is really hard. So the story behind my "rat"... my dad's initials are R.A.T. My mom gave my dad two glittery rats with candy cane shaped tails at one of the first Christmases my parents spent together as a married couple. My dad promptly poked a hole in the bottom and put it on the top of their tree. I actually grew up thinking rats were supposed to go on the top of Christmas trees. I would see stars or angels on my friends' trees and would think there was something wrong with them. Eventually, my siblings and I wanted to be like everyone else and have a star or angel on top of our tree. My parents obliged, but my dad would stick the rat on top of the contraband tree topper. I want to keep this tradition, so my parents found this little guy. He's just not the same, but he'll have to do for now.
The first ornament Craig and I bought together. It was at the apple festival.
And the first ornament I bought Craig.
So, our tree isn't fancy and doesn't match, but it sure does hold lots of memories...for me at least.

And what happens to the ornaments that don't end up on the tree? They end up around the house. Notice they are mostly angels :-) (You'll have to excuse me...I have not organized them yet!)

Sarah, do you see the angel you made me?