Tis the Season for … Ornaments
My Christmas Tree whispers the history of our family and shares the memories of five generations. Ornaments passed down from my Bavarian grandmother as well as ornaments from friends and family and even some from our own grandchildren.
Years ago my mother started a family tradition of making them for my siblings. I remember decorating styrofoam with glitter and pipe cleaners when I was only eight. These ornaments still grace my tree and tug at my heart with memories of Christmas past.
I took up the tradition when my children were still young and have designed and crafted unique ornaments using supplies gathered from our back yard and around the world – tiny pebbles from Stratford On Avon, slate from Wales where I attended school, and tiny treasures gathered throughout the Greek Isles, where we celebrated our 50th.
This year I had a heart attack which blessedly resulted in Zero damage to my heart but it got me thinking and “Heart” became the guiding theme for this year’s 49 ornaments.
First I gathered random supplies with only a vague idea of what I’d create. I picked two sayings “Home is Where the Heart is” and “Families Are Forever” – These became red bordered scrolls. Next, I made an ornament hanger from scrap wood in the basement to take the place of the third hand I don’t have for when I needed to tie ribbons. And step four was to gather the assorted peppermint, heart, and gold beads as well as the red, green, and clear faceted beads that would join the scrolls inside the globes. No two ornaments are ever identical. Just like our family – each is unique.
Once the thin ribbon is cut and beads are strung in a variety of patterns, the tags are made. Each tag is a cut heart, punched, and strung with a small gold bell, the year is recorded, and the recipients name added. The sayings are wrapped around a toothpick to curl the ends in scroll fashion. These are placed in clear globes with 4 red, 4 green, and 8 crystal faceted beads. We have 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls. The far right shows the first completed batch which would be sent to children’s homes across the country.
The final assembly includes a wide wired ribbon in a variety of patterns and colors. The picture above is the last batch although there were a few last minutes additions, including our traditional Nerenberg Newsletter. Wrapping and mailing, trips to USPS and UPS, gifting a dear friend or two, and placing ours on the tree completed this year’s labor of love.
Was this labor intensive? Yes, very much so. Was it repetitive? Definitely. Was it boring?
Not at all, for with each paper motto carefully rolled and tucked inside, each bead counted and dropped in its ball, each tag, dangle, and each colored ribbon tied, I see the faces of our loved ones and the smiles as they unwrap this year’s creation – Nana’s “Magic Heart” ornament for 2021.
Wonderful personal ornaments! Beautiful results.
Last year I asked each grandchild what they wanted me to tell them about my childhood. I made them each a little booklet with my response. Topics ranged from, “candy” to “What happened in 1995?” Because they asked the questions, they were interested in the answers.
What a lovely memento. I’ll have to remember that. Thanks for sharing.