Stores showcase perfect Christmas trees adorned with matching bulbs and garland. The ornaments are evenly spaced, none chipped or scratched or worn.
While undeniably lovely, such a well-designed tree often leaves much to be desired. Homemade ornaments or family heirlooms give character to the branches. They may not match, but together create a garland of memories, another version of the family tree.
We asked readers to share stories of their treasured ornaments. Here are four such stories.
Santa from a special friend
The Santa ornament hangs on the tree each year with fond memories of my dear friend, Nancy Kinzler. The ornament was a gift from her when we were both in college at the University of North Dakota in 1985.
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During my last year at UND she was diagnosed with cancer. While she was being treated for cancer she was still a part-time student and also worked part time. In and out of the hospital at Rochester (Minn.) we continued to maintain contact.
During her last year of life, one of her goals was to make it to my wedding. Knowing she had been too ill, I never imagined she would make the hour drive to the country church where I was married. You can imagine the astonishment I felt when I saw her sitting in the pew as I walked down the aisle.
Sadly, her life was taken away when she died of cancer a few months after my wedding. The Santa ornament reminds me of the love, friendship, and determination of Nancy Kinzler.
Submitted by Nicole Dub, Horace, N.D.
Country charm
This pink "Peace on Earth" ornament was used on the Christmas tree at a country schoolhouse near Union, N.D., where I attended first and second grade.
When the schoolhouse closed in 1961, all ornaments were dispersed among the students. As I grew up, the ornament hung on our family Christmas tree year after year.
Now, 44 years later, it continues to find a special place on my Christmas tree and brings back many warm memories of years gone by.
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Submitted by Phyllis Stanley, Fargo
Jesus with a backwards 'J'
My special ornament is about 25 years old and has been front and center on our Christmas tree every year.
Aaron (my son) made this for me when he was about 5 years old. It's made from a toilet paper roll! He used Scotch tape to hold it together, used a crayon for the eyes, nose, mouth and he wrote "Baby" on one side and "Jesus" (with a backward J) on the other side.
I've had to re-tape some parts, but otherwise it's exactly the way he made it. I love it!
Submitted by Kathy Wetterlin, Glyndon, Minn.
Of kids and clothespins
My special Christmas decoration is a clothespin Nativity set my children and I made in the mid-'80s.
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I vividly recall my 7-year-old son painstakingly attaching embroidery floss snippits for Joseph's hair and beard.
Two daughters vied for the privilege of making Mary and the angel. If you look closely, Baby Jesus is tucked in the little manger bed.
The roughly made stall was a "find" at a garage sale a few years later - a perfect fit!
Now to decide which of the three gets to have the set.
Submitted by Judy Jacobson, West Fargo
