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If I could only have one Christmas decoration, it would be the tree. While there are certainly glamorous ways to decorate a tree, I’ve always seen the tree as a symbol of love and family and wonderful memories. Our tree tells my family’s story…and I’d like to share some of it with all of you…

So, I guess the story should start here. This is the first ornament my mom ever bought for me. She was pregnant with me at the time, and this angel hung on the tree she and my Dad had in December, 1967. I was born 4 months later…funny how the angel has dark hair like me, especially since my folks were both convinced they were having a boy!!

And speaking of first ornaments….when Kylie came into my life, this was the first ornament I ever bought for her. She was only 1! I’ve bought her an ornament every year since.

And this is the ornament Kylie picked out for her little brother after Trevor was born.

The big, red ball ornament is in memory of my Grandma Metzger. She gave me a similar, beautiful red ornament, but it broke several years ago when our tree fell over. I don’t think I’ve ever sobbed so much. But this one is pretty close to the original. I think she would like it.

This ornament is one my mom made years ago. It was always one of my favorites growing up, and now it's one of my kids’ favorites too. They actually fight over who gets to hang it each year!

We bought this snow globe ornament after my dad passed away. My Mom hangs it on the tree each year. We sure miss him.

This is another ornament I found after my dad died…he loved race horses. It just seemed perfect. My kids treasure this ornament and usually like it to be the first ornament we hang on the tree. My dad would have loved that.

This is the first Christmas without our sweet dog, Duke. He loved Christmas! He would go in and lie down near the Christmas tree as soon as it was put up. He was magic.

Of course, we still have our funny Brosky…so he gets an ornament too!

This is an ornament that Joan Rivers sent me several years ago. She knew how much I loved cardinals and that they reminded me of my grandmother. I was a little emotional putting this egg on the tree this year. I still can’t believe she is gone…I know she’d be happy that her ornament was part of my family tree.

I hope you liked seeing how we treasure our Christmas tree! It’s truly the story of my family…what we love, who we are, where we’ve been and who we miss. I’m sure your tree tells a similar story…isn’t it wonderful?

Sending love to all of you this Christmas!

XO,
Jill