(Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories Day 3: Christmas Ornaments)
When we were little, my parents bought the ornaments that came in a box. They were either satiny balls or colored glass ornaments with glitter on them. We had 5 or 6 boxes of ornaments that we put on the tree.
Then in the 1970s, Hallmark began putting out collectible ornaments. They were satiny balls with Betsey Clark, Love Is…, and other themes.
I got my first Hallmark ornament in 1978. It was Spencer Sparrow on a satiny ball. Each year since then, I have added to my collectible. At first, they were always Hallmark ornaments. After awhile other companies put out collectible ornaments as well. Hallmark’s were getting to be expensive, so I switched to whichever was cute and I could afford.
My collection consists of dated ornaments back to that first one in 1978. I think there is only one year missing. For some reason, I couldn’t find a dated ornament either in 2007 or 2008. I can’t remember which. Some years I’ve gotten more than one as someone will add to my collection.
I now have 4 plastic crates filled with ornaments in their original boxes. It’s a pain in the butt to get them out and a pain in the butt to put them back. But, I enjoy looking at each and every one. They bring back special memories of tree decorating and family get togethers.
This year, my Mom bought me an ornament early. This is the newest addition to my collection:
This is the 2011 Frosty Fun Decade ornament. It’s part of the Hallmark Keepsake Series. Isn’t he cute?
I hope I will always be able to add to this collection. I may not put them all on the tree, but I enjoy seeing them every December.