When we started having children, my mom began making (among other things) a cross-stitched Christmas ornament for each one of them. They were so charming – I loved them!
When it was clear that we were done with the whole procreating business, she passed the pattern book on to me just for fun.
When our children have gotten married, I decided to make an ornament for each of their spouses for when they celebrate Christmas here with us.
Our youngest son got married last year and I am now working on the ornament for his lovely wife, Abby. I thought I’d work ahead of the need and make it over the summer, but here it is, three days before they get here and I’m just now getting it done. It’s pleasant work – I don’t do much counted cross stitch anymore.
I’ve thought about whether or not to make these for our grandchildren, too. We’ve got two so far and two on the way. It seems like a good idea, doesn’t it? Maybe I’ll work on those next summer…
Crafty friends, what kinds of ornaments have you made?
I’ll count on crossing this out in the morning.
Lynniebeemuseoday 
Those are beautiful, Lynn. Such a treasure. I love counted cross stitch so much but I’ve never been able to do it. It hurts my eyes and I think I’m dyslexic or something…my eyes and hands just don’t coordinate. But I sure admire the work. Keep going as long as you can. It’s a gift. My mom used to do it too.
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Thanks, Barb! I used to do a lot of it back in the day – started when we were newlyweds! Now it’s rare for me to pick it up.
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Oh, my goodness! How beautiful! The most I have ever done (as far as craftiness is concerned) was to make gingerbread people to hang on the tree along with strings of popcorn and cranberries! Dave’s mother has made some nice ornaments over the years, and we hang up her ornaments- when we have a tree! You will be happy to know Dave brought down our Christmas decorations and we have decorated our house; we just don’t have a tree this year. We did consider getting a tree, but we just don’t have the time.
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The gingerbread people sound pretty crafty to me! I bet your house is quite festive right now even without a tree. Is “Shenanigans” getting into trouble with your Christmas decor? 😁
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Oh, yes! Shenanigans gets up on the buffet and licks the ribbon on one of the lighted “presents” just to get attention when he feels neglected!
One tradition we have had every year I think since Emily was born. Dave’s dad built a cradle that both girls slept in the first few months of their lives. Once Emily grew out of it, we have used that to put our presents around (regardless if we had a tree or not) and on Christmas day, “Baby Jesus” appears in the cradle. Now that the big cradle is in Saint Paul waiting for our first grandchild (!), we have the small cradle (that the girls’ grandpa made as well) for Baby Jesus this Christmas. It includes a crown of thorns ornament held on with a nail (what we think they used back then) and a Star of Bethlehem hanging from the ceiling.
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What a lovely and meaningful tradition! Thanks for sharing that. ❤️
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