If there’s one thing I can’t resist during the holiday season, it’s buying one or two beautiful new ornaments for our tree. I don’t remember the very first time I bought one, but I know that it was when my family still lived in our old home, which means this little “tradition” started over 15 years ago.
For the most part, I’m not as easily captivated by all the glitz and glamor surrounding the holiday season. Sure, I enjoy sequined clothing and bright lights as much as the next person, but lately I’ve been shifting towards a minimalist approach to shopping and giving.
I just think that underneath all the glitter and gems, stuff is still, well, stuff— and oftentimes we realize sometime in January that we didn’t really need it.
But pretty ornaments– they’re my weakness. I think something about having purchased one almost every year since that very first time, makes my little tradition special to me.
These ornaments come with the years attached to them, so IÂ can even remember what happened the year that IÂ bought it.
One of my favorites from 2001!
So I went to the mall today, finally! And we stopped in to our favorite shop for ornaments, picking out the prettiest one we could find. Don’t you love its simplicity? Every year, we are able to find something decadently beautiful to add to our collection.
Sparkling on our own tree!
And the craftsmanship that went into making these pieces is so admirable. These lovely ornaments are handmade, and you can tell; they’re no factory productions. As you might know, I appreciate any industry in which creatives can show off their skills and make a real living, so there’s that too.
Every year, we take out our Christmas decorations and I am just filled with joy when I unwrap the tissue paper around each of these glowing works of art. Memories rush back, and it’s like reopening a gift that I gave myself years ago and experiencing the surprise all over again.
I’ve cherished these aging ornaments through the years. After having gone through quite a few different Christmas trees and decorations, we know that the ones with years attached to them are keepers. If I’m careful enough, perhaps I’ll be able to pass them down.
Do you have any holiday decorations that you’ve cherished for years? I’d love to know!
These are beautiful! I’m particularly fond of the gorgeous peacock ornament. For me when I think of traditional decorations I think of our angel tree topper. We’ve had her ever since I can remember, and it brings back sweet memories. Thank you for sharing!
Haha glad you can relate, Serli! They really are so fun to buy and keep for years 🙂
Ooh yes, I love those. They do make great gifts, something to remember each year by!
Thank you Anna! I can’t imagine how wonderful it is to have your grandmother’s handmade pieces. I actually still have some origami paper cranes that my grandmother made many years ago. So special!
Thank you so much Jasmin!! 🙂
Thank you Deniz! I actually have only been “window shopping” at Bergdorf’s in early December. I bet they do have gorgeous pieces there!!! I have to go back to NYC during Christmas season sometime because it’s so, so pretty.
Yup each year I see ornaments with new eyes– I can’t help myself either 😉
Oooh that’s such a good idea, to pick up ornaments on sale. And I love the way you put it– “heavy with memories”– because that’s exactly how I feel.
Aw thank you Olivia! Sparkly-ness is the absolute perfect way to deck out your tree 🙂
Aw glad we have that in common Jenna 🙂 Thank you!!
Hahah they really are pretty. Thank you Shannon 🙂
Thank you so much Iren! 🙂
They are so fun! Ornaments you pick up when you travel are such a good idea… I should try that!
Aw thank you Jenna!! 🙂
Thanks friend! That’s so sweet that you make ornaments each year– I love that idea 🙂
Oooh the red birds sound absolutely gorgeous!! I love those types of ornaments. And your story about your grandmother too, that is so sweet and beautiful 🙂 Glad the “nose job” lasted too, that is SO cute!
Thank you so much, friend!
Oooh yes a good ribbon is perfect!! Hope you have a wonderful holiday too, friend!
Aw lights are so so pretty too. I love going driving in neighborhoods with lots of great decor. Thank you so much Hayley 🙂
Thank you Anne! 🙂
Yes, right now we have a small tree too– but you’re right, they make a great gift!
It’s so much fun! Hope you’re enjoying Christmas season Jessica!
Thanks Emma! <3
Indeed! Thanks Ashley 🙂
Thanks so much Shauna! They are great investment pieces. 🙂
Aw thank you Shannon! And you have great taste so I’m sure you’re evened out 😉
Thank you Gina! I hope you had fun taking out ornaments and decorating!
Pretty ornaments (especially with lots of jewels and glitter) are totally my seasonal weakness too. It’s true, they’re still just “stuff” you don’t necessarily need but nothing wrong with a little holiday cheer! I love the ones you picked out!
xo, Serli
http://www.lesoleilchic.blogspot.com
I’m also a sucker for ornaments. I find the best are sold by museums in their gift-shop catalogs. Every year, in fact, I pick out one favorite and then buy a dozen or so of them to give out as little gifts to my blogger-friends.
Oh how I love this! The ornaments you showed are beautiful, but I love how much they mean to you. The ornaments I cherish the most are ones that my moms mom made, each one is so beautiful and perfect. They don’t even go on the tree, they are placed in a really nice box to display. I never met her so these ornaments are so special to me.
That’s such a lovely tradition – perfect to reminisce about every single Christmas just by looking at the ornament you bought that year.
Jasmin xx
http://www.whatdefinesus.com
They really are special! And thank you, Sheryl!!
Hahaha so glad you understand Sarah!!! And oh my goodness we were so similar as children… I started ballet lessons so I could dress like the girls in the Nutcracker 😉 I love pretty ornaments that reflect the glitz and glimmer of holiday decor. 🙂
Yes it’s a great idea.
Aw that’s cute! We might make our first ornament together this year– we’ll see.
These are so beautiful Daisy! Have you been to Bergdorf Goodman around the holidays? They always have incredible hand made glass ornaments. Each ornament is like almost $100 but they are so beautiful to look at! I’m sure you would love it!
– Deniz
http://www.dressedupdeniz.com
Yep, it’s true I don’t need any more ornaments, but every year I look through them ALL at stores and find ones I love more!
You’re so spot on when you say that come January, we realize we don’t even want half the stuff we splurged on any way. It’s so hard not to get swept away! My favorite part is going to the after christmas sales when all the decorations are 90% off- you can find some real treasures there 🙂 And the tradition of buying a new ornament each year is lovely. I can just imagine how your tree will look like when you’re 50, heavy with memories 🙂
xo marlen
Messages on a Napkin
My mother is also a fan of the glitz so our tree is filled with sparkly ornaments too! I love yours-they are the epitome of glitzy:)
Olivia | http://www.hernamewascelebration.com
I have a major weakness when it comes to ornaments, too! I buy a new one each year for our tree. I can’t help myself! All of your ornaments are so beautiful!
Holy gorgeous ornaments! I am a huge sucker for pretty ornaments too! They are too pretty I can never resist!
<3 Shannon
upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
I love all of these decorations so much!!!! <3
happy holidays!
http://WWW.LIAKW.COM
I’m with you I love buying new ornaments, I try to make it a thing every time we travel! Merry Christmas lady!
xo
Michaela
http://michaelajeanblog.com
Oooh, these ornaments are gorgeous! I’m always drawn to the glitzy ones like this in the store, too.
Beautiful ornaments! I wish I had started such a tradition of buying a pretty ornament each year. Although, I do make ornaments for my boyfriend every year so I’m sure those are his favorites!
Katherine Lou
http://www.wanderhour.com
I have two very vintage red birds. Very glitzy and beady like your choice in Christmas ornaments. They have little clasps and I always put them at the top of our tree. When I was little I was helping my Grandma decorate her tree, unwrapping ornaments and having the feels as you described. The birds were my favorite part. Except one year we discovered one of the birds beaks was gone! With such an attachment to these birds, like any six year old would do, I made one out of a piece of paper I colored orange. Though my Grandma is still alive and well, she gave me the birds a few years ago. They are my favorite and I have so many memories of past holidays. Wouldn’t you know my “birdy nose job” is still going strong? (;
they’re gorgeous!
xx fameliquorlove.blogspot.com
I too love the perfect ornaments more is always more wit me! along with the perfect ribbon on the tree Happy Holidays!
http://lachiquitamissi.com
The lights are my weakness! I just love how those ornaments are tied to memories for you!! They are all so pretty!
Ornaments are my weakness….I love that each one tells a story or holds a special place in our hearts! Love the one you chose!
My husband and I have the tiniest fake tree so we have been resisting adding any more ornaments to our collection, but these are just so beautiful! They also make a great gift 🙂
lovejoanna.com
I agree, ornaments are so beautiful to add to your tree every year 🙂
Jessica xo
the way to my Hart
Love this! I am the same way
Emma| With A City Dream
I love adding an ornament (or two!) the to the collection each year. 🙂 You’re got some sparklers on your hands!
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
I love all of these ornaments, so beautiful. I think they are great investment pieces, and will always make you smile when you decorate your tree 🙂 Happy Holiday! -xx
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Oh I am in looove with that white ornament! It’s so gorgeous and simple! I’ve tried making it a tradition for my fiance and I to buy an ornament each year for each other, buuuut his taste could use a little work 😉
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
These are precious! I think my favorite thing about ornaments is all the memories. My favorite thing is to open up the box of ornaments we have and decorate the tree with my family. In fact, we get to do that today! I’m so excited!
I’m am an ornament junkie. They are so beautiful and special. I’ve found some years it was hard to buy just one and have purchased two! I love the one you have chosen for 2014.
Oh the ONE glitzy thing? I don’t know if I can go with just one, but I do lovvveee shimmery ornaments. Growing up I used to make skits with my mom’s ornaments which were more like different caricatures, items from travels and hobbies, etc. Yes, I was a really cool kid. But my favorite was this white & gold ballerina. I was (still am, possibly) in a ballerina phase and I just wanted to look EXACTLY like that. Now my mom just ties ribbons on the tree with the lights, but she told me that the first ornament she packed away to give me was that one. It’s crazy how much ornaments can mean to us, huh?
– Sarah 🙂
http://www.thecrownbijoux.blogspot.com
The idea of making your own ornament is just great… Creating memories!
http://check-our-style.com/
Sam and I have a tradition of making at least one ornament together every year. Cheesy- but fun! x