The Christmas tree is decorated. The candles are in the windows. Empty ornament boxes are stashed in closets. Decorative towels and blankets are arranged in their designated spots. Christmas is almost here. As I gaze at the little tree in the playroom/office, I notice an old, familiar item. A brown sock, with holes in the bottom, was an arrangement that our son created. Yes, sock decorations bring precious memories.
Our son, now a grown man, created this ornament when he was a young boy. We’ve shown it to our daughter-in-love and the grandkids. Rowan and Eden both commented, “Dad made that? Was that when he was a little boy in school?”
My answer. “Yes, your Dad created this special decoration for the tree. He used one of Bop’s old socks and added some felt shapes and glitter. He carefully placed each bit of shiny sparkles and felt to make the perfect ornament to add to the tree.”
Rowan and Eden smile every time we talk about the old sock. By sharing the memories, we are handing down a legacy of love and care. The brown, worn-out sock might not be as perfect as the shiny things on the tree. But the feeling of love is evident every year when we open a box and find the sock.
There are many ornaments on this little tree and many on the big tree in the living room. Each one is placed with care. Each one finds a different spot every Christmas. Angels, stars, crosses, birds, cloth ornaments, and many more reminders bring smiles when we share time together. Conversations, giggles, and sometimes a broken item remind us that the things on the tree are important, but they are not forever.
God’s love is forever. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, we can find peace in reading or hearing Scripture, and sharing the good news of His birth. We can share the story from the Bible. We can think of opportunities to share God’s love with others at this special time of year and always.
The best things on the tree are the ones created with love. Yes, even an old sock can bring precious memories.
What special Christmas ornaments or decorations are found at your home? Do you hang ornaments on the trees outside? Share some of your favorite homemade decorations.
Have a blessed day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson
Tweet
I love that ornament, and the story attached to it Melissa! Special connections like that are gifts to pass along to each generation. My husband has 2 Christmas gifts that our kids made him almost 40 years ago: just simple tuna cans covered with felt and ric-rac. But they remind us of a love that keeps growing thru the years. I pray blessings over you and your family this year, dear friend!
Thank you dear friend. Thank you for sharing about those simple tuna cans covered with felt and ric-rac made by your kids. Precious memories. Merry Christmas! Blessings to you, too.
I have many old ornaments that the kids made. Such sweet memories for those of us reading your blog. And for you, too!
Blessings, dear friend~💖🙏🤗
Thank you sweet friend. I’m praying for you. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Oh, thank you Melissa! I need all the prayers I can get.
I pray for you and your family, too.
Blessings~🙏
What sweet memories! We have some that spark conversation and memories every year as we unpack them for the tree. Some of the ones my boys like most are the “odd” ones someone gave us (like an angel made of yarn whose skirt is yarn strands. They call her the octopus angel. 🙂 ) or the ones that have gotten a little misshapen over the years. We have some I made as well as some they made in school.
That is awesome! Octopus angel. Haha! Yes, sweet memories. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Melissa, I always admire your wonderful family relationships and traditions. Thanks so much for sharing and have a blessed Christmas.
Thank you June. Have a blessed day and blessed Christmas. Thank you for your encouragement and support. Hugs! 🙂
I love your story about the sock. So sweet to pass down to the generations of family. We have a hodgepodge of ornaments that make us smile, but the one I love was made at the groomer of my sweet Babette about 25 years ago. A ribbon inside still holds a lock of her white fur, and the outside has her name. We loved her dearly like a third child and still miss her. Wishing you a blessed Christmas, sweet Mimi!
That is a precious ornament! So sweet to have such a beautiful reminder of Babette. Yes, our pets are our children. 🙂 Have a blessed day and a Merry Christmas dear friend! Hugs!
I love my ornaments that the kids made when they were little. In fact, each ornament brings back so many happy memories. Thanks Melissa and Merry Christmas
Simple treasures can bring precious memories. Merry Christmas! Have a blessed day! 🙂
So sweet! My tree is filled with creations our kids made when they were little, and those always bring me the most joy.
That’s wonderful! Yes, those special creations bring joy. Merry Christmas! Have a blessed week! 🙂
What a treasured memory and beloved ornament! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you dear friend. Merry Christmas to you and your family. God bless you all.
I love how you have illustrated that Christmas decorating is also a bridge to our past. Our minds are crossed with memories as we hang precious decorations from previous Christmas seasons. Now that my kids are adults and moved out of my home, some of their school-made decorations stay in the box but even then, they still bring warm memories when unpacking and packing the decorations every Christmas season.
Thank you Lynn. Those precious crafts bring wonderful memories. If they stay in the box or are displayed on the tree, we can recall special times. Have a blessed day! Merry Christmas! 🙂