The ornaments are eclectic and cross four generations; there’s ornaments from travels, tiny wooden shoes from Holland, an Elvis ornament from Graceland, a starfish dressed up like Santa from a beach trip; a glitzy fleur de lis from New Orleans. There’s the Disney 
princess phase my daughter went through represented with Snow White and Pocahontas ornaments. We have lots of handmade things too; the Wizard of Oz collection my Mom made when I was young that’s only a little chewed up from the dog who thought Dorothy was a chew toy; an empty beer can that’s painted with the pop off lid hole designed to look like an angel singing; lots of God’s Eyes—popsicle sticks with yarn wrapped around them—that my Girl Scout troop made me on a long ago campout; and even a faded crayon-drawn ornament on cardboard held together with lots of staples that survived from my early childhood when I had just discovered the magical properties of a stapler. My sweetie’s White House collectible ornaments from his decade in Washington blend well with everything. The blingy silver beaded garland and colored lights tie it all together.
We have several little holiday collections, none real large and none that really match. Other than the pooping toys I have nutcrackers, reindeers, angels, Santas; there are lots of candles, a Yule log and a menorah. Steve added his Holy Land village that he collected over decades with his children. It fits in our idiosyncratic collections and I agree with him, that a turkey is a nice addition to the traditional manger animals.
While I appreciate well designed, simple and tasteful holiday decorations, it’s the shiny, whimsical, silly and tacky side of the holidays that I’m drawn to. The classic wreath on the front door with simple white lights is lovely—but it’s the house with an over abundance of mismatched lights, Santa and Frosty the Snowman standing with the three wise men looking at baby Jesus in the manger that’ll make me slow down.
When it comes to gifts, we believe in quantity over quality. A pair of socks equals two wrapped gifts. We’ll even wrap a package of Oreos and a six-pack of cokes. We have a large shabby bow that we call the family bow; it’s too ratty to give anyone outside of immediate family. It’s considered lucky to have your gift wrapped with the family bow.
This year we’ll be blending in a new tradition. My sweetie has little grandchildren so we will have Christmas dinner at their home where Santa will have just made a big stop. His adult children have requested a return of Steve’s Christmas spaghetti. As I understand it, you add green food coloring to the noodles so when the red meat sauce is added, everyone will have a plate of red and green deliciousness. I’m looking forward to this new tradition and love that it’s a revival of a treasured family memory for a new generation.
Baking Christmas cookies and making ornaments
I’m going to make wine cork ornaments to go along with my Christmas cookies. I need to get started so it must be time open a bottle now that I’m collecting corks! Cheers to happy holidays and your own treasured traditions!
Love it. And I love your pants with the hands. Unless that’s an apron….my eyes are not what they used to be. LOL. Sounds like you have lots to look forward to this Christmas. Especially the green spaghetti.
Lisa, I was cooking in my nightgown!! I am indeed looking forward to Steve’s Christmas spaghetti. Thanks as always for commenting.
Sounds like you have the most fun holidays at your house!
We do have a lot of fun!
While reading this, I relived all my favorite family holiday memories and yes, each ornament has a story. Loved this post!
Thanks Pat. The stories and sweet memories are the best part of the holidays.
I want to party with you, lady. You guys know how to have fun!
Anne, that means you are a lady who likes fancy things! LOL
I want to be at YOUR house for the holidays!
Come on over!
Very funny and festive! I have not seen a pooping toy collection before, thanks for enlightening me.
I’m glad to be of service!!
Love the whole post and your whole attitude about the holidays. Great traditions!
Darryle, thanks, I do love this time of year!
I love the concept of the family bow, and how you have collected ornaments. We are doing the same and starting other family traditions.
It’s really sweet to look back on the years of collections. Of course you don’t know what will become a tradition, like the family bow!
Love your story about the ornaments and their history.
Thanks Sue!
We have a tree for the first time in over 20 years this year – while we were raising our kids we stuck with the Jewish holidays, but this year my husband’s entire (non-Jewish) family will be at our house, so we are decking the halls. I had the BEST time buying ornaments! It sounds like you really enjoy the holidays with your family.
Sharon, that sounds wonderful. When I was little I remember my Jewish friends having Christmas trees, but they called them Hanukkah bushes! I do enjoy the holidays and it sounds like you do too!