Christmas is the Time of Year I Cherish Most
Christmas is the time of year I cherish. As I sit here by my fireplace and look at the beautiful Christmas tree my family and I decorated, I feel so blessed to have this amazing life. The holiday season is a time for appreciation, gratitude, giving, and celebrating life.
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| Our Tree |
My family has a tradition of giving ornaments as gifts. My mother gave me an ornament every year and I now give my boys a special ornament each year. My plan is that they will eventually have a box of ornaments that carry special memories of their childhood, just like I have. I give this gift (an ornament) on the night before Christmas. I have each of my little boys sit down with their hands out and eyes closed. I gently place the specially wrapped box in their hands and watch them open their gift. I then explain why the ornament is significant and why I want them to have it. Even though this gift is the most insignificant gift they receive each year as far as monetary value, my heart explodes with love when I watch their little faces light up as they unwrap their newest addition to their collection. It is at this moment every year that I remember that it is the simple gifts in life that are the most precious.
One of the things I started doing a few years ago is labeling my Christmas ornaments. I create a small label that I can hide on the inside or bottom of the ornament. I label who gave it to me and the year. One of my favorite pass times during the holiday season is to pour a glass of wine and look at all my beautiful ornaments while reminiscing about all the wonderful memories I have been blessed to have.
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| This is an ornament that my Aunt made for my husband and I. We were pregnant with our first child Hunter in this photo. The ornament in the background is a photo of my sister and I as little girls. My mom gave me this ornament in 1983. These are the types of ornaments that makes me smile. |