Friday, December 3, 2010

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories, Day 3 - Christmas Tree Ornaments

Christmas 1959.  The first Christmas after I married.  We were both college students, living in old Army barracks convereted to married student housing.  No money.  We waited until the last minute to buy a tree from an almost empty lot - the smallest tree left.  We bought two boxes with a dozen tiny colored glass balls - I'm sure at the time they were less than $1 a box.  And we splurged on one box of lovely and fragile glass ornaments - I believe there were originally eight in the box.  We didn't even have lights on that tree.

After 51 years, the tiny glass balls that have survived decorate a tiny artificial tree to brighten a small corner. 

I don't put the fragile ornaments on the tree anymore- I lay them out in a shallow bowl.  In my heart they represent the new beginnings and boundless hopes of those tender years. There are five left including the tree top ornament and my personal favorite - the teapot - although I also like the horn ....and the bell....



I must admit, I almost always shed a few tears when I unpack these precious memories!