One of my favorite family traditions is putting the tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. Each ornament has a special meaning–tells a story about our family.

This Santa is the only ornament I have from my childhood. A family friend made us–my brother, my sister, and me–Santas. Mine is the one pictured. The pom-pom broke of his hat. My brother had one of Santa holding a green sack. My sister’s Santa was heading down the chimney.

This Santa reminds me of happier times of my childhood. Huge family get-togethers at my grandparents’ house. Going to bed and whispering to my sister, wondering what we’d find under the tree.

Every year our boys receive a new ornament. When they have their own families, the ornaments can hang on their tree. Will they look at them and remember our traditions? Will those ornaments bring back happy memories. I hope so.