A Christmas Tree Tour

 

by Jan Drexler

A lot of families have "themed" Christmas trees. One of my friends loves the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz, so you can guess what her theme is! Another friend loves red and white decorations, so of course her tree has white lights and red ornaments of all kinds. My cousin is a Chicago Bears fan...yes, you know what her tree is like!

I'm going to share some pictures of my favorite ornaments from our tree - will you be able to guess the theme?

This first ornament came from my husband's parents when we were first married. It had been a part of their Christmas since they were married in 1947. Even though we've lost a few of the ornaments they gave us in our cross country moves, this one and a blue one are still with us!

This ornament and the striped one in the background came from my parents' collection. They bought it when they were first married in 1950. There was a match to this one in blue with the words "Silent Night" on it (my absolute favorite from the time I was a young child.) Sadly, that ornament met its demise our first December in Kentucky when the tree Just. Fell. Over. We can't even blame the cat! For the remainder of the five years we lived in that house, we anchored the top of the tree to the window frame!

I made this ornament when I was about thirteen or fourteen. My mom brought the kit home from work or somewhere - I don't remember where it came from - but she wanted me to put it together. I spent a weekend working on it, and have never made anything with beads since then! It was tedious, and I didn't really enjoy it...but, you know...my mom wanted me to do it. Every time I look at it I'm reminded that at least once in my life I did something just because I loved my mom.

As much as I disliked working with beads, my grandmother loved them! This ornament came as a package decoration when I was in high school. I don't remember what the present was, but this little bell that Grandma made for me has been on my Christmas tree ever since that year.

In 1979 I met this guy... By 1980, we were enough of a couple that he bought me a Christmas present. By the next Christmas, we were engaged. I'll never forget his first Christmas gift to me - this sweet ornament!

My mom and I shared a love for Hummel pictures and figurines. She bought this ornament for me at Bronner's Christmas store in Frankenmuth, Michigan. If you've ever driven up I-75, I know you've seen the advertisements for this store. It's a classic, but it isn't for everyone. Have you ever been there?

In early 2019, we suddenly lost our tri-color corgi, Thatcher. I hate saying goodbye to dogs, don't you? But several months later, we brought Jack home. When I was at Bronner's that fall, I saw this ornament. Jack will have a place on our tree almost as long as he will have a place in our hearts. (Note to self: on our next trip to Michigan, we need to add a border collie ornament for Sam!)

2019 was also the year we moved into our "retirement" home. After moving all over the place for more than thirty-five years, we are finally in a house that we don't plan to sell any time soon, so we bought our first "New Home" ornament. We hope to make many sweet memories in this home!

Have you guessed the "theme" of our Christmas tree?

It's memories. 

I think that's one of the things that makes Christmas so special. Not the lights, the music, the presents, or even the tree. It's the memories of Christmases past, spent with people we love - and the opportunity to make THIS Christmas another sweet memory for ourselves and others.

And all because God humbled Himself to become Immanuel...God With Us.

Do you have a theme for your tree? Or would you like to share one of your favorite Christmas memories?

Tell us all about it in the comments!

Sharing Christmas Traditions

Merry Christmas! Over the next few weeks, we Seekers will be sharing some of our favorite Christmas traditions and we want to hear yours, too.

Like many of you, Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Even with the year we’ve had, I’ve been anticipating Christmas for months. I’m the one who starts playing Christmas music in October (if not September). I start making lists then, too, and check them twice. And yes, I had two trees up and decorated before Thanksgiving, though that doesn’t happen every year.

One of the things that blesses me the most, though, is giving. I enjoy giving gifts. I also like wrapping them, so the recipient feels as though they’re receiving something special, no matter how small or simple the gift may be. Whether it’s a gift card or a plate of cookies, it’s all about the presentation.

This “gift” has been a tradition at our house for decades. It began when my kids were in elementary school and we were looking for teacher gifts. We wanted something special. Something they could actually use and would bring them joy. After a couple of years, they became so popular, we began giving them to the principal and office staff as well. And all we had to do was gather a few simple things and drop them in a bag.

Christmas Scent is comprised of an orange, a lemon, four cinnamon sticks, three bay leaves, and a good handful (approximately ¼ cup) of whole cloves. The ingredients are then placed in a cellophane bag and tied with a pretty ribbon adorned with the Christmas Scent label with instructions on the other side. The instructions read:

Cut lemon and orange into quarters; combine fruit, spices, and one quart of water in a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer as long as desired.  (Add more water, as needed.)  Any leftover mixture can be covered and refrigerated for several days to be reused.

Not only is this a gift tradition, it’s also a tradition at our house. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there’s almost always a batch of this scent simmering on the stove. I love it when my kids come home, step inside, sniff and say, “It smells like Christmas.” That’s when you know it’s a tradition.

Now it’s your turn. Share one of your favorite Christmas traditions with us. Remember, there will be several posts where you’ll be able to share more. One of today’s commenters will win an advanced copy of my March 2021 release, A Brother's Promise. (U.S. mailing addresses only, please)

He didn’t realize he wanted a family… Until he suddenly became a single dad.

After his sister’s death, rancher Mick Ashford’s determined to ensure his orphaned niece, Sadie, feels at home. And accepting guidance from Christa Slocum is his first step. But just as Christa and Sadie begin to settle into Mick’s heart, Sadie’s paternal grandparents sue for custody. Now Mick must fight to keep them together…or risk losing the makeshift family he’s come to love. 

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com