Photo ornaments, the stars of the tree

Every year the tree gets a few new ornaments.

I've added a photo ornament of both girls to the tree every year since they were born. That box of ornaments does not get put downstairs with the Christmas decorations. It's kept in the top of the bedroom closet for safe keeping. It is that box of photo ornaments, of the girls and other loved ones, that is the most fun to open each year.

Here are this year's ornaments, both recent photos of the girls. Their baby days were long ago as they are now in their twenties.
(That makes for a LOT of ornaments!
Probably not the wisest decision to go to a SLIM tree this year!)

 

The ornaments from Wal Mart were originally black. I wanted to lighten them up a bit so I painted them blue, letting some of the black show through in the crevices. I like them much better now. Before I hang them next year I'll give them a coat of high gloss polyurethane and maybe some glitter, but I was anxious to get them on the tree this year.

 

It seems like yesterday that their newborn ornaments were put on the tree...

 

...followed by their First Christmas ornaments.

 

This locket ornament is one of my favorites. I got it back in the early 90's (I think from Lillian Vernon) when the girls were little.

 

Of course I keep the locket open when it's hanging on the tree.

 

There's a picture of hubby from the 60's when he was in the Marines.

 

And photos of loved ones no longer with us, but whose memories we always hold close to our hearts.

(Late 1940's era photos of my mom and dad).

 Our four legged family is also represented on the tree...

those who are with us and those who no longer are.

(These are photos of some of our loyal companions who have crossed the rainbow bridge.)

I have to share these adorable tinsel ornaments I purchased a few years ago. If you are an animal lover, you must check out one of my FAVORITE Etsy shops, OldWorldPrimitives. I purchased a set of 3 different CAT ornaments...

 

...and 3 different DOG ornaments! Are they not the cutest things ever?

(Yet another photo oranment in the background... My sister and I visiting Santa back in 1958 at the Boston Jordan Marsh Department Store.)

 

And what tree is complete without at least one celebrity photo ornament?

Years ago the girls met Fred Savage of The Wonder Years when he was appearing in a play.

The NICEST, most down-to-earth celebrity you will ever meet!!!!

(Taken at the Cape Cod Playhouse in Dennis, MA, summer of 1998.

Santa Caps, moon, other embellishments added by me, of course.

I hope he doesn't mind that he's part of our cherished Christmas tree decor!)

 

Wishing you all a peace filled, Merry Christmas.

 

Donna