ornament tradition

We started the tradition in 2000.

In Mexico,
actually.

In June or July, no less.

The whole family had gone to Juarez

with the youth group from church to build a house.

When we found ornaments

with a house painted on them,

it was kind of a no-brainer.

We haggled over the price a bit

and bought four.

The next year,

liking the idea of a 'significant' ornament,

we chose an ornament for each kid based on their likes.

(for example, Tony loved to watch birds, 

so he got a birdbath ornament)

I just wrote on the bottom of the box

'because you like ___________'

The ornament tradition has evolved over the years

and what we now do is:

Tyler and I go on a date 

and we make a list

for each kid of things they've done / like,

areas they've grown in, etc. in the past year

(this could be improved on, by making notes throughout the year)

(Oh. wait. I sorta do that on the ol' blog. Whatdoyaknow?!)

One of the nice side-benefits of this list

is it helps us to look past what we're dealing with 

right now

with a child

and reminds us of the 'whole' child.

(For example - Lily has been a whiny crabby pill for several weeks

and when we first started her list

it was sparse;

but as we looked back further over the year

we remembered how amazing she is!)

remember when Lex' hated homeschooling
and was a beastie??

Then

armed with our lists

we start shopping for ornaments.

We often find things to add to the lists.

(the girls love having tea parties, 

but we hadn't thought to write that on the list

until we saw a teacup ornament...)

After choosing an ornament for each unmarried child,
(or deciding we'll need to make one)

we buy boxes for them.

(plastic food storage containers are great)

Then

- and here's the most important part -

we write a note for each child to include in the box,

using those lists we made earlier.

Little things that would otherwise be forgotten

(like that Lexi used to call Tony 'Hony')

are also lovingly written.

Every year,

once the lights (at least 600, preferably more) are strung,

and the garland is wrapped around the it,

the kids fill up the tree with ornaments,

one memory at a time.

And when they marry - they'll take it all with them.

As Tony was hanging his ornaments Sunday evening

(and complaining about the brevity of the early notes)

Tyler asked, "What if Tony's wife doesn't like his ornaments?"

(though, I am careful to choose ornaments with spouses in mind)

"How could she not like my ornaments?!"

he asked.

"They are me."