Christmas Traditions, Part 2--The Decorating

Nothing feels more like Christmas than decking the halls with artificial boughs of evergreen. I don't think I do anything all that unusual, but here are two of my favorite decorating traditions:

A long time ago in a dorm room in Provo, I received a package.  Inside was this advent calendar, handmade by my mom.  Why was this so special?  Two reasons.  First, I had to work until Christmas Eve that year, and I would be spending all of December without my family.  Second, I grew up with this identical advent calendar.  I'm sure she'd made it at Relief Society sometime in the 70s.  I have no memory of Christmas without it, fighting with my siblings over whose turn it was to hang the ornament and take the candy cane.  This was such a special memory for me that, when Heidi was away last year, I found one similar (online, not s'crafty as my momma) and sent it to her.  Did it again this year for Tucker.  Ironically, he has to work until the night of December 23rd, lives in the same dorm I did that first Christmas away from home.  I talked to him a few days ago, and he said he'd started the calendar a few days early.  Why?  "Because coming home is almost better than Christmas."

Second decorating tradition:

I LOVE my kids' ornaments.  I remember thinking as a young mom, "What am I going to do when my kids bring home ugly ornaments that don't match my tree?  Where will I hang them?"  I found this little four-foot tree on clearance after Christmas at least five years ago, and ever since it has been dedicated to my kids' ornaments.  It holds the place of honor in my entry on a short table, and it makes me happy every time I walk by it. I see first-grade Heidi with her braids, kindergarten Tucker with his round owl glasses, and preschool Ben with his spiky hair.  I think my favorites of all the decorations on this tree are the three angels at the top--Lily, Micah, and Hyrum--all made the Christmas they were three. Just a footprint and two handprints and a face. If you look closely in the reflection you'll see Micah's angel. I love looking at these ornaments, remembering the Christmas they were made, reflecting on how much they've all grown, and how much I love them.

What are your favorite decorating traditions?  Link up today and share with all of us.  Next week:  Christmas baking traditions.  This is one where I plan to learn a lot from all of you!


And, Jen, I'm a little late to the linky party for JibJab. Better late than never, right?
I could do another version with all the adults. Maybe later . . .