The 12 Days Of Christmas Decorations

Our love affair with holiday wonder begins when we’re young; the bite of the collector bug often comes much later.

1. ONE-OF-A-KIND ORNAMENTS

Thanks for the Memories

CAROLYN J. “CARI” THOMAS SANTA BARBARA, CA

My mother, Anna M.Fischer McQuaid, was a saver and a collector. She kept beloved ornaments from Christmas trees at Dad’s and her childhood homes, some of them with antique candleholders. After 1931, she added ornaments that she and Dad bought or their children and grandchildren made.

After our daughters were born in 1960 and 1970, I started buying special ornaments for them every year and putting them on our tree. I’d mark the year and the recipient on each ornament, forming a starter set for each daughter. Later, when they married and moved out, each received her own traditional ornament collection.

Just about that time, my mother started to sort through her prized collectibles to give to my siblings and me. I was blessed to receive more of them from one sibling who is not a saver.

Now each year, I choose a new selection of these fragile and beautiful ancestral ornaments to hang near the tiny white lights on my little tree. They give me such joy as I give thanks for my mother, the real collector of memories.

2. FEATHER TREE

ABSOLUTELY ORNAMENTAL Antique glass ornaments hang from a 20-inch goose feather tree Sharon Cromer displays in her West Columbia, SC, home at Christmastime. Her collection includes family heirlooms from her and her husband Alec’s grandparents, as well as antique-store purchases she’s made over the years.

The red and gold bell and light blue teardrop ornament in the upper center of the tree were brought to the United States by her grandmother, who emigrated from Germany around 1915.

3. ANGELS