What is Your Favorite Christmas Ornament and Why?

I love to look at Christmas Trees at the mall, at the church, at the Christmas stores, .... everywhere!  I am always amazed at the creativity that people have. As a little girl I used to wish we had pretty trees like the ones we saw around....  So now I have a 7.5ft tree and would have a 9footer if it didn't touch the ceiling.  If we ever buy a house with taller ceilings well, ..... 

(My mom and her 2 grand-daughters, my daughter is on the right)

Now I collect ornaments with a passion.  In fact, I had to buy a few more trees, 3-4ft since that's all my husband can handle to accommodate my habit.  I'm about ready for my 4th tree.   The ornaments are a variety of hand-made German Steinbachs from my Germany days via my Air-Force family. Some are souvenirs from our family vacations - I love the White House one I bought at Mount Vernon.  Many come from the hands of my son and daughter - love those! There are a few blown glass or others to coordinate my lime green and red tree.

So maybe collector isn't the right word. My kids say I'm addicted.  My youngest, my son Cory, points them out to me while shopping - "Look mom, another Steinbach that you don't have" - so he can't call me mental, or he's mental!

There is one ornament, however, that might bring me the most joy. It isn't part of a collection, it is not store bought, it's not every pretty. 

My brother Manuel is the most creative, craft, and art challenged person in the universe. Manuel dropped out of pre-school on the first day, so my mom says. He showed up at the front door half way through his first day. When my parents asked why, he replied - "Because they said I had to color or they would send me home." So I at recess I walked home. Now if that isn't commitment to avoid coloring I don't know what is!

Of course he had to go back to school and some years later, I think around 2nd grade he made this hideous ornament. I have it, even though the purple tissue is faded and most of the bling has fallen off after all these years.  It is my favorite ornament.  It hangs in front of my tree every year. My kids exclaim:

"Why?  Why?  Why Mom?  It's so ugly! Can't we put it in the back?

You have so many beautiful ornaments!"

- and they say it quite passionately!

Because, as I've never told them, it reminds me of much simpler days. We used to celebrate Christmas as a preparation for Midnight Mass. We only gave 2-3 gifts per person, and they didn't start with "i" or use batteries. We were allowed to open one, the one my mom picked, which was either something to wear to church or new pajamas.  We put fruit, nuts, and candy in our stockings. We had real trees. We sang Christmas carols and had carolers. 

The little purple ornament, whatever it is supposed to be, is the only hand-made ornament that survived our many military moves. I found it about 20 years ago while cleaning my mom's closet.

What is Your Favorite Christmas Ornament and Why?

 Are you ready to move into your house before Christmas?

Call Cathy Bureau (210) 378-2489!

I'm here to help your holidays brighter!