START A CHRISTMAS MEMORY TREE NOW!

It's the start of a new year so what better time than now to start a Christmas memory tree?   A Christmas memory tree is a tree where each ornament has a specific memory associated with it. A few of our special family memory ornaments are shown in the picture above.  As you can see they range from simple items like key-chains to exquisite glass ornaments. But each one has special memory associated with it that we share and remember together every year when we decorate the family tree for Christmas.  

Why We Started This Family Tradition
This is a second marriage for both my husband and myself. We each brought our own children into the marriage and we were trying to find ways to create special memories that would help to blend our two families together.  I had already started some new memories and traditions with my children as a single mom, so it was easy to continue doing it as a blended family.  Today, ten years later, it is still a yearly tradition for all of us to get together and even though the kids are 25, 23, and 20, we still laugh and talk about the memories as we decorate the tree.  Sometimes we even get a little teary eyed over the ones that make us a little sad such as the memories of our family dog that passed away this past July. But one thing is for sure, he will never be forgotton!

This is also a great idea because it minimizes the junk around the house.  Everyone is always buying nick-nacks on vacations and has favors from various weddings and parties.  Get rid of all that stuff and choose the special ones to make into ornaments!  The memories are small, they do not sit on a shelf collecting dust, and they will be used (and actually remembered) once a  year!

How To Start A Memory Tree
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1. Collect Items as Ornaments During the year - 

• ​Handmade from Children/Grandchildren - over the years we have saved all the little gifts the children have given us and we have turned the choice ones into ornaments to hang on the tree.
• Vacations - you can purchase an ornament or a key chain from special places you visit such as a trip to Philadelphia.  We prefer key chains because there is a lot more to choose from, they are usually much less expensive, and there is room on the back to write (more on this later).
• Day Trips - we have taken the kids to the Ducks Baseball games, the Museum of Natural History, a trip to the city to the 2112 Cafe, etc.  During these special trips we pick out a cool ornament or key chain the same as we do for vacations.
• Events - we have purchased specific ornaments for special events such as the birth of a child, graduations, getting a drivers license, engagement, becoming an EMT, and many more.  I love looking through the possible ornaments to buy at Personal Creations.
• Parties - I have made it a point to give out party favors that would make a great little memory ornament for sweet 16's, 50th birthdays, etc.  
• Sports /Activities/Hobbies - is someone a soccer player?  Then purchase an ornament to remember all the craziness involved in attending all those practices and games! How about a kid who just doesn't stop playing video games?  Yup, theres an ornament to remember that too!  Again, check out Personal Creations for the many different personalized ornaments available.

Check out this little slide of a few of our special family ornaments:

2.  Make it into an Ornament -

• If it doesn't have a hole, then drill one!
• Buy Ornament Hooks (affiliate link) and make them into an ornament!  

3. Write on the Ornaments -

• We use a special Sharpie Oil Marker (affiliate link) to write on the ornaments.  We usually write the month and year only because the ornaments we choose are mostly self descriptive as you can see in the pictures.
• Then put them in a special location to save until it is time to decorate the tree!

4. Decorate the Tree with Memories -

• Put up your tree with the lights and topper, and schedule a date to decorate!
• When it is time to decorate the tree, be sure to do it on a day when everyone can get together.  As each person takes a turn hanging an ornament, it is is only natural to share the memories of that time with everyone else!

Each year there will be more and more ornaments to add to the tree and the memories of all the things that you did will always be remembered :-)  Above is a picture of our family the night that we decorated our tree for 2015.  It's also another tradition to take a family picture in front of the tree after we decorate it and this years picture includes my daughters finance who we will now include in all our future memories!

It is never too late to start!
​Start today and by Christmas you will have memories of the entire year to share!

• Are you a grandparent?  Then start a special memory tree for your grandchildren as they grow!
• Are you single?  So what...start a memory tree of all the awesome things you have time to do with your friends!
• A new couple?  Those memories have already begun...document them on the tree and remember them each year!
• Young parents?  Well, then it's perfect timing to start that tree and family tradition!

Thank you for visiting :-)

Sincerely,