Every year since we were born, my parents have given my siblings and me a special Christmas ornament. Unwrapping each hand-picked treasure is one of my favorite holiday traditions. If I was to offer my parents a hint for this year’s ornament, it would be the Courtly Check Owl from the whimsical home decor artisans at MacKenzie-Childs.
The glass ornaments in the Woodland-Inspired Collection are handcrafted and hand-painted by artists in Eastern Europe. Answer this week’s question before 12/11c Monday, Dec. 13 to be entered into the giveaway.
This week’s question: What is your favorite Christmas ornament or holiday decoration given to you by a relative?
For more holiday decor inspiration, check out HGTV’s fa-la-la-la-fabulous ideas for tree trimmings, fireplace mantels, wreaths and centerpieces.
1996 was a very difficult year. In July, my 7-year-old niece lost her battle with cancer… and ten weeks later, my dear mama died of an aneurysm (although my entire family truly believes we lost her to a broken heart). My family was devastated. That Christmas, my siblings and I were emotionally unable to go through the collection ornaments… the funny little treasures that reflected a lifetime of fun, humor and love… that my mom had collected over the years, so they stayed put, tucked away in an untouched Christmas box. Approaching the holiday, my sister Lisa, who lived in another state, sent me a little box. Inside was an angel ornament. This gesture had obvious meaning, as we now had two extra angels watching over us. But the angel wasn't gilded or solemn, but instead was sweet and whimsical… and a wonderful homage to our loved ones who, in life, embodied a love of life and a twinkle in their eyes. I will always treasure my little Christmas angel… and those up above.
It is hard to choose just one. I love them all. I would probably have to say that my fav this year is the one my mother in law made for us. Our dog just passed away very unexpectedly last month. She had a personalized ornament made with our dog’s name “Gretchen” on it and a pic with her inside. Our family will always be able to remember what a wonderful dog she was. I guess those are the little things that make the holidays so special.
The best ornaments were the ones my children made but, my favorite is one my son made that is a small paper plate with glued macaroni shells around the perimeter, spray painted gold, and his 1st grade photo inset in the middle.
I have a collection of Lenox ornaments that my parents started us on when we got married. The First Christmas Together is still my favorite and I've been able to keep the note that my Dad wrote for us – even through 5 moves in 21 years!
My favorite ornaments are those given to me by my husband over the years. He has always given me ornaments that have had meaning in our lives together. From sailboats to red hat ladies. It's always fun to trim the tree each year and enjoy the memories they each bring. One year my best friend who is like a sister, sent me a gift and upon receipt we had no idea in the world what it was but it was from McKenzie Childs which was wonderful. We guessed a zillion things and on Christmas day we called her to ask what it was. She laughed hysterically and announced that it was an ornament. When we hang this ornament every year we still laugh – not because the ornament is funny but because when looking at it we should have known what it was. It holds a place of honor on our tree every year & is absolutely devine and receives the most oohs and aahs from visitors.
My favorite ornament is one that I made when I was about 8 yrs old. It’s got my (terrible) school year picture in it and lots of felt cut outs glued around it. Every year we all laughed as we took it out and hung it on my moms tree. When I bought my first house a few years ago, my mother gave me that ornament and now I get to hang it on my own tree. I love it!
My husband gave me my favorite ornament over twenty years ago. It was the first Christmas we spent together…I had four small children from my previous marriage and spent many days leading up to Christmas baking cookies with them. The ornament is a teacup turned on its side, hanging from the handle. Inside the cup is a diorama of a Mama & child mouse rolling out cookies on a little table. Precious!
My favorite ornaments are the ones my kids made for me. They are the most interesting ones to look at!
The paper chains and handprints that my children made for our tree many years ago. I have saved them all and will give them back to each of them one day to hang next to their childrens'.
My favorite ornament was hand-made by my husband's aunt for a wedding gift. It has a bride and groom inside a wooden frame, with our names painted on the front. Over the past 25 years we've had to glue it back together a few times, but it has endured, along with the marriage. There's nothing like an eclectic mix of store-bought and hand-made ornaments on a Christmas tree, to help tell the passing of time. (And I'm glad she painted her name on the back, so I could remember who gave it to us over the years.)
When he was four years old, my son proudly presented me with an ornament he made out of colored popsicle sticks and some red yarn, with his picture glued sideways in the middle. It is my absolute favorite. He is nineteen now and in college, and each year, when unwrapped, it warms my heart to hang it on our tree.
When I was 2, my mother and I lived in a small apartment. We could not afford much but she wanted to make Christmas fun. She bought a small tree and this little wooden ornaments in a kit with paint.
I still have one that has made it through the last 38 years. It always has a special spot on the tree. It reminds me of all the times that have been hard she has come up with creative ways to make holidays and such special.
Am looking at it right now. 10 years ago my husband was in the hospital for an emergency gall bladder operation. Because of heart problems and others, he was in the hospital for over a week. Our granddaughter Ann,who lived in another state and was about 11, made him origami birds after reading story on how the birds and bring heath. There were hundreds of them, and we had them in the IVs, on the window, the top of the bed…everywhere. We took them with us afterwards and put them out for decorations every year. This year we moved and downsized, so we were only able to bring a few, but they are now hanging on our tree, tucked into branches, with wonderful memories.
I love the vintage Shiny Brite ornaments from the 40's and 50's. The pinecone shapes are my favorites.
My mother-in-law gave me a white, heart shaped ornament with 3 white doves hanging from the heart. It is beautiful and has always been my favorite.
Of course the ornaments my children made for me when they were little are so special, and even though some have them have started to fall apart because of age, and are very fragile, I will keep them forever. I do have a special one from my Neice that she gave me several years ago, she told me that I was her Favorite Aunt!, it makes me smile every year when I put it on the tree.
I might add that if I were to win this Beautiful Owl it will be gifted to my youngest Grandson, as we feel The Owl holds special meaning for him, the night Jackson was born, as my husband and I left the hospital to go o the car, 20 feet away from our car, inside the back of the parking garage, sitting on top of a car was a huge owl (and yes, I did get lots of pics), and then the night my daughter and son-in-law brought Jackson home, there was an owl sitting outside their back deck. So, Owls are trully a "sign" for our family, and For Jack.
My most treasured ornament is a cinnamon angel ornament my daughter made for me in school in 2nd grade. Every year it would have a special spot on the tree. When she was 18 she was killed by a drunk driver with her husband of 7 weeks. This is the first year since this happened that my tree has gone up and my son and I placed it in that same special spot that my daughter and I would every year. I just love that ornament and remember that smile on her face when she gave it to me that Christmas.
It is definitely the ones made for me by my children. Those bring me such joy every year.
My favorite ornaments/decorations are the ones made by my boys in elementary school each year. They are grown now but I treasure these just like my mother did with the ones I made for her when I was a child.
My favorite Christmas ornaments are three that I have from when I was a very young girl. One is a woodsman mad of blue pipe cleaners and an acorn top for a hat. Another is an angel made of the most delicate material and several more. I cherish them more than any of my other ornaments. They even have a special box they live in.
My favorite ornament is the six, all alike ornaments, hung as closely together as my four year old Great Grandson could get them on the very bottom of the tree this year. Closely surrounded by as many of the rest of the ornaments that we have that he could put there. BEST LAUGH AND BEST TREE EVER!
My favorite decoration this year is a frog tree ornament that my 3 year old granddaughters gave me this year. they were so excited for me to have it that there was no surprise because they had to tell me what it was before I could unwrap it and then the joy in their eyes when we choose a spot on the tree was priceless
Every year for my birthday and Christmas from my birth until I was 18, my great Aunt would give me angel ornaments. I'm not sure if I have one favorite, but I love my collection of angels. They're all so different, because they span so many years, but I love hanging them all on my tree.
My absolute favorite Christmas decorations were given to me by my parents. Every single year they would give my three brothers and me a different ceramic Santa Claus. We must have over 100 Santas up for display every Christmas. Fat Santa, skinny Santa, lumberjack Santa, or canoeing Santa, we have the all. My personal favorite Santa Claus that I received was one with little woodland creatures looking over Santa's shoulder as he makes his nice and naughty list. Every time I unwrap him from our box of decorations I am overwhelmed with warm memories that have been created over the years.
My favorite handmade ornament is the soft stuffed-angel my mom made for me when I was 7. She had made a new flannel night gown for me for Christmas and made the dress of the angel from the same fabric. That angel hung in my room all through the year then onto the tree at Christmas. She is still in the same condition now, and continues to hang as a Christmas ornament each year- over 30 years later.
My favorite ornament is a glass blowen Humpty Dumpty. My mother bought one for each of us one christmas. I loved mine but lost it in a house fire right before christmas in 1987. My older sister searched and searched for one to replace it and finally found one on a trip to see her friend in St. PAul, Minn. It is always put on the tree near the top by the star to keep it safe.
I have several favorites because, when my Granddaughter was born and old enough to go shopping, we would pick out ornaments together. Many of them are angels but all of them are unique. We always get two so the ornament hanging on her tree will also be hanging on mine. When I look at them, I think of her. When she looks at them, she will think of me, even when I am no longer walking on this earth. It is a love fest between us She is now 15 and that means our trees are full of the love between us. When I am gone, my ornaments will go to my daugter and the tradition will continue…..
My very favorite ornaments in my life were from the first Christmas we were married and I went to Kmart and bought two dozen gold ornaments. I thought they looked classy and I still have a few of them. They bring back great memories from many years ago.
My dad gave me a large hand painted ornament from a local artisan in Dallas. It has blue birds on it and I absolutely adore it!
My tree has over ten thousand lights on it and in some homes I have lived in I can not even turn the tree on because it blows the fuses. I have had to separate the strings of lights into three separate plug ins so the tree has three stages…..when I touch the last button on the last strand and it goes on and the tree stays lit I get so excited….so that last button has become my favorite ornament…. even though there are so many favorite from the pink carboard glam elephant that held a lipstick my mother received one Christmas to the beautiful Waterford glass ornament I bought the year my father went to be with the Lord. ….the one button lights them all so it is my favorite ornament.
The best ornament from a family member was from my son who is in the Army. He found me an ornament that incorporates my two favorite things. It is a snowman holding an owl on one arm and a lantern with the other. I believe it is a Hallmark ornament. I collect owls (that are out in my home all year) and snowmen are how I decorate for christmas.
To honor our daughter's adoption and first Christmas with us, my cousin gave us a beautiful angel ornament made out of shells.
A plastic white angel that my parents bought me when I was a little girl. I hang it up every year
So many of the ornaments unpacked each year bring back memories! Choosing a favorite is an almost impossible task, but here goes. Actually, it has to be 2, given the subject matter. When each of my children were born, part of the hospital photo package was a small keychain w/ the baby's picture in a round fob frame on the end. I've been hanging those little keychains on the tree for 35 and 33 years, respectively – no matter what any given year's circumstances, I always remember the day each was taken, with an overwhelming sense of love and joy. Those beautiful babies are wonderful men.
My father's grandmother gave him a glass ornament, that had been hers, when he was a child. If he were alive today, he would be 92 years old, so you can imagine the age of the ornament. Although it looks absolutely nothing like one, we have always called it "The Raspberry," probably because of it's color. Years ago when I married, my mother gave it to me. It is my favorite and most cherished ornament of all.
My favorite ornament is the first ornament anyone gave me-a glass bird of European origin. My grandfather gave it to me my first Christmas-way back in 1950! I have had it ever since and it has pride of place on my tree every year. The colors have faded a bit-have'nt we all?-but it will always be beautiful to me.
I like this silver star with sequins on it from my childhood.
a handmade Santa from my sister
I have a lovely pressed glass monarch butterfly ornament that my aunt and uncle gave to me a while back. They are the nicest people who never had any children but always made sure to get wonderful presents for my sister and me when we were kids. She passed away a few years ago and I always think of her when I hang the ornament on the tree.
My favorite are all of my Nut Crackers. My brother started giving me one at Christmas when I was 10. After he passed away I've added to my collection and now my daughter is in love with them also. I have a total of 35 and their all shapes, heights and colors there are no two the same. When my daughter marrys I will pass on my beloved Nut Crackers. I hope she will have the room for them.
My favorite ornament is a Santa pen that my mother in law purchased @ the dollar store as part of our Christmas gift. She was on a fixed income and would love going to the dollar store. You hit a button on the back of the pen and he (Santa) punches at you. I knew she was very frail and that it might be our last Christmas with her, so i took the pens that she gave me and my husband and I put a gold ribbon on it and turned it into a Christmas ornament. They (2) are on my tree now and when I hang them I think of her. It was her last Christmas. I treasure the pens when I see them every year. I loved her very much and she always loved Christmas, and she loved coming to our house to see all the decor. We loved taking her out to see the Christmas lights in the neighborhood.
While my children were growing up, my Aunt Jean would send us all hand crocheted ornaments every year. Now that my kids are grown, I wanted to simplify my tree. It's decked out mostly with Aunt Jean's white snowflakes, angels and bells. It looks so sweet!
I come from a half Catholic half Jewish background, when I was a little girl every year my aunt would put her tree up next door and I would make a special ornament for the tree. Over the years, most of my handiwork ended up falling apart or getting destroyed by the cat. But there was one popsicle Star of David I had made and colored blue and gold that always made it onto the tree. Time passed, and I grew up and moved away. My aunt passed away, as did my parents. But 36 years later in 2009, I was visiting my 92 year old great uncle during the holidays and I happened to look at his tree covered in ornaments and there to my surprise was my ornament! I was so happy to see it actually got passed around, that after Christmas I received that ornament in the mail as it has come full circle back to my own tree. I now have a 4 year old son that has started that very tradition last year by making a beautiful popsicle star with his picture in the middle. That was the first ornament we hung this year and I hope to pass that down to my son when he is grown with a family of his own.
Not one but many. Each year we shop for a family ornament. We have done it since we were newlyweds. 23 years later I have 24 ornaments that reflect our names, the year, and our family as we have grown from two to three to four…. We love these little treasures and they are the only ornaments that are absolutely on the tree every year. My father in law has always loved owls. He and my son were very close – he taught my son to play chess when he was 7 and every year at the holidays they would play. Grandpa passed away last year and my son got his collection of owls. This would be a lovely addition to our "family" tree in memory of my dearly missed father in law. It's beautiful.
My favorite ornaments are the ones my mom made for me! She passed away 13 years ago, but every year when I decorate my tree, she is with me!
My Mom gave me an ornament that belonged to my Grandmother It is a little house with a pink roof and green windows. I have it under a glass dome on a ledge in my kitchen and I keep it up all year. My Grandmother was born in 1893 so just the fact that it has survived is amazing to me
My mother-in-law gave us these 3 silver martini and martini shaker ornaments that you can add a photo inside. The photos that my husband and I chose were of us in Europe. We put those ornaments on our wire ornament tree and remember to not take ourselves too seriously and enjoy each day. We love, laugh, and enjoy everyday like it is a holiday.
My favorite holiday decoration is a little ten-inch-tall lucite snowman that lights up inside blue purple red & orange. One year I was really sick with the flu over the holidays and my husband brought this thing home to cheer me up. He's not very big; and he is no great work of art. He is wonderful.
i love the little paper ornaments my nephews made a couple of years ago!
My favorite is a 3 foot tall Santa, that sits watching over the tree, that a close family friend bought me a couple Christmases before she passed away. He is the one thing I look forward to unpacking each year at Christmas decorating time!