Just like with your hairstyle or wardrobe, decorating a Christmas tree can be an outward display of your style and taste. Whether you showcase special handmade ornaments from your children, go all out with a specific theme or color, or present an eclectic mix of carefully collected ornaments, you're making a statement and telling a story.
What does our Christmas tree say about us? Well, for starters, it's pretty clear we're both Type A. If you're not a handblown painted glass ornament, you're not coming to the tree trimming party in our house. Sad, but true. This method of decorating is something Alex's Mom passed down to him, and this family tradition was near and dear to his heart. Therefore when we bought our first tree together back in 2000, we set out to follow suit.
Over the years we've collected hundreds of these ornaments, and especially like to seek them out as treasured souvenirs on our travels. This week, when we decorated our tree in anticipation of this weekend's Holiday Designer Tour of Homes, we took a trip down memory lane as we unpacked box after box of our beloved keepsakes.
We noticed some clear patterns emerging, and had a good laugh at our expense. Clearly, we both enjoy our travels, as we have cities from around the world represented. This is the Rosenborg Castle from our trip to Copenhagen last year.
We're also very food centric, as desserts...
...and alcohol make frequent appearances on our tree.
We like to pay homage to aspects of our lives, like the ongoing legend of our "peanut ghost."
We have a deep sense of patriotic pride.
We love animals, as is evident from the multiple dogs, a cat in a stocking, and exotic animals like crocodiles, hippos, and sea turtles.
We adore our pets, and have gone so far as to recognize their favorite things -- a squirrel for Lulu...
...and a mouse for Mel. (He's a mouse gladiator after all.)
We also know which ornaments are our spouse's favorites, and we ensure that these ornaments are hung by the "right person." I'd be crazy to try to hang Alex's stormtrooper ornament.
I also like to hang ornaments in related groups. For example, my favorite pug ornament is always hung next to the fire hydrant. No one else probably notices, but I get a kick out of it each year.
We celebrate treasured childhood memories, like Alex going to see the Nutcracker with his parents...
...or my undying love and affection for the Care Bears!
All in all, our Christmas tree may not be a "designer tree," but we feel it's a reflection of us, our family, and our home. And for that, we relish our time decking the halls.
Speaking of decking the halls, we're thrilled to announce a special Twelve Days of Christmas promotion here at Old Town Home. Beginning next week, we'll be giving away twelve gift cards to local stores over twelve days to make your holiday season a little brighter. Stay tuned for more details and how you can enter to win.
What special traditions do you employ for the holiday season each year? Do you have a special ornament or decoration that brings back memories for you and your family? If so, we'd love to hear about it.
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