by Linda Laughter, Guest Blogger

During this Covid Christmas, where we are all hopefully, safely at home, I am blessed with memories of travels past as I decorate our tree for the holidays.

As newlyweds, we decided to buy a Christmas ornament or some memento to hang on our tree each time we traveled. Maybe a shell, or a pecan from a trip south. I also had time, before children, to sequin Raggedy Anne and Andy on a car trip we took on a romantic getaway to New Orleans. I was young and had good eyes and a steady hand back then. I always remember my mom having handwork in her lap as we traveled to my grandparents each holiday.

Then there are the handmade felt ornaments made by my Mom. The donkey reminds me of the trip she took to Greece, the camel of our trip to Jerusalem, and the giraffe of her trip to Africa. 

My children brought me ornaments from their travels too. A beautiful delft ball from Holland from my daughter in law and son.  A tin angel from my  daughter and son-in-law from their trip to South Africa.

A bottle of wine from dear friends reminding us of our trip to Italy; stuffed Texas ornaments came when we moved to Michigan, reminding us of our lives in Houston.

There are the ornaments that help me remember friends lost…a needle point heart from a friend I lost to cancer, and tiny red peacock from a friend I lost to AIDS. A photo of my Mom who loved Christmas so very much. There is a felt tree I made from buttons Mom took off some of her old jackets and dresses. If only buttons could talk! These are memories of places we went together and had such joy.

My family also has the tradition of each one having a Trinket Tree. This is made of three layers of felt stitched together (I still have the pattern.) To it you add all those little things you collect and have nowhere to display. On ours is a tiny sombrero from our honeymoon, Don’s dog tags, Artprize buttons, scout metals, high school honor society pin, stuffed baby dolls, Strawberry Shortcake and  Eiffel Tower charms..…oh the list goes on. Some maybe do not make sense to others, but to us, its travel memories of fun and lives well spent!

It is getting late and I still have a box of ornaments to go…wonder where I will travel next?

Blessings to you and yours this Christmas!

Linda lives in Cascade, Michigan with her husband Don and new puppy, Joy. She loves interior design, art, travel and her family. She tries to combine as many of these things as she can in her adventures.