Our "Homemade" Tree

My favorite time of day is early in the morning when I'm the only one up. The house is still quiet and peaceful. I can sit and drink my coffee and read my Bible devotion and I feel totally at calm.
This morning I was sitting here looking at the Christmas tree all lit up and thinking how beautiful it is.
As I gazed at the decorations adorning the branches I began to wonder if other families have some of the same ornaments on their tree. Those precious little handmade trinkets created by the children. I would not want a tree covered in store bought ornaments with a "theme" or a tree that doesn't provoke memories and laughter each year when the kids open the ornament box. It's a big deal in our home... decorating the tree. One by one the ornaments arise out of our red and green tote. And one by one we talk and reminisce about which child made it or what grade they were in.
Probably 90% of our decorations are homemade. And....

I LOVE IT!!!


Paper snowflakes and hand painted glass balls.

The cutest little angel you've ever seen!

The woven ribbon wreath that Ryan thinks is horrible but of course Mom adores it.

The sparkly beaded tree made of safety pins.

Kaycie's handprint Santa. And next to that is a clay boy made by Kyle.

And every tree needs toilet paper roll angels!!

Pipe cleaners... almost as great as duct tape.

I love picture ornaments.

You have to have a nativity made of craft sticks.

A beautiful angel made by Ken's grandma the year we were married.

Hand print and footprint angel.

And a cute little foam gingerbread boy.

I will always treasure these sweet reminders of my kids and Christmas's as they are growing up. My Christmas tree is more than just a tree, it's memories and precious moments.

Sorry about the fuzzy pictures. My camera is very picky about lighting situations!!