When my friends Sandy and Greg celebrated their first Christmas together, Greg saved a slice of the Christmas tree's trunk and recorded the year's events on it. That tree slice became a meaningful ornament for the next year, and so a piece of the second Christmas tree's trunk was saved, too. It also was inscribed with the year's highlights.
This Christmas, as they do every year, Sandy and Greg hung up a long garland, displaying pieces from all of their Christmas trees. It's a lovely tradition, and it makes a very special decoration, don't you think?
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I couldn't help myself. Since my last posting, I went out and bought five more antique glass pine cone ornaments. I particularly like the smallest one, which appears silver on the tree, but which clearly has a tint of chartreuse.
I hope you're all having a good holiday!
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what a good idea - I never would have thought of that! thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi, Stefan,
DeleteI think it's a great idea, too, especially if one can start from the first year. I've never seen this done anywhere else.
Hello Mark, I like both the idea and the look of those ornaments, which remind me of some of those log crafts of the 1940's and '50's. Someone capable of cutting out these discs could take the idea one step further and make other small objects (desk items, boxes,etc.) that would be similarly imbued with sentiment as well as recycling the tree.
ReplyDeleteWe had saved some wood from a beloved apple tree with similar intentions, but most or all of it disappeared over a number of moves.
Happy New Year very soon,
Jim
Hi, Jim,
DeleteI think it's great when something sentimental or with a history can be turned into another thing that's functional. I have several buttons from my grandfather's WWI uniform that I've thought of making into cufflinks, but that's further down on my to-do list!
I know that in your part of the world, you get to celebrate several New Year's — I hope they are all happy ones!
Mark
Dear Mark - what a very unique idea, and how lovely for Sandy and Greg to be reminded each Christmas of their memories over the years.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that those lovely antique pine cones are breeding?
Dear Rosemary,
DeleteI don't know what happens on the tree at night, but some of those pine cones look very much alike!
I hope you had a good Boxing Day — I thought of you and H on the 26th!
I've never heard of anyone doing this. I love it. I don't know if they have children but what a great collection to pass down. I'd love to be able to read the highlights of my grandparents, for example. A great way to keep your family history alive.
ReplyDeleteHi, Steve,
DeleteI've never heard of anyone else doing this either, but I think it's an inspired creation. I named the posting "A Newlyweds Christmas Tradition" because I think for this to work, there needs to be a starting point of significance. It could just as easily be "A New House Christmas Tradition."
Dear Mark, A very beautiful and original idea. I love your antique glass pine cones...no wonder that you just had to have more. They look wonderful amassed in your bowl.
DeleteWishing you a very happy New Year and am looking forward to reading more about life in St. Petersburg.
Dear Gina,
DeleteIt seems as though any time I start collecting something, it happens with a rush. I've collected more than two dozen antique glass pine cone ornaments in the span of a year, but I'll call it quits until next December.
Wishing you and Gene a Happy New Year, Gina!