A Nana Tree

This will be my first Christmas without my Nana…

I have the best memories of Christmas at Nana and Dad-do's house. Traditions have always been important to my family. Christmas was no exception. Christmas day always started with "Santa" and breakfast at home…then we were off to Nana and Dad-do's house for lunch! As a child (and even a teenager), I could barely contain my excitement! Their house was always beautifully decorated and the presents… I always felt like Santa came twice. It's funny, but even as a child, I knew how much I was blessed. 

Anyway…first we would eat. Even though the food was great, I never really appreciated it because I was too focused on the presents in the other room! Ha! It would seem like forever but…finally it would be present time! Nana always chose the best presents. She spent many days finding the perfect gifts for everyone. I didn't realize it at the time, but it must have taken her months to put it all together. She wanted everything to be perfect…and it was. 

After the presents were all unwrapped, I would always admire the tree. It was beautiful! When I was about ten years old, she started letting me help her decorate it. I considered this quite a privilege. She had a very specific way of decorating her tree. The most important decorations were the Hallmark ornaments. Each ornament had meaning. My favorite were the "grandkid" ornaments. Each year she would buy an ornament for each grandchild. She chose carefully each year. She tried to find an ornament that represented the child in someway. I love all of the ornaments she chose for me. Next on the tree were icicles, red apples, red gingham bows, and an angel on top. Perfect! 

As a way to honor her this year, I have created by very own "Nana Tree." It's a miniature version, but it contains all the elements of her tree…including my Hallmark ornaments. It's strange to see these well-loved ornaments in my house, but I'm glad they're here! 

A Nana Tree

No words needed…

My first ornament :-) 

 

I remember this one more than any of the others.  She bought this one when I was two years old. For many years everything that I owned was Strawberry Shortcake themed...

When I was nine years old, I took piano lessons. I quit after a year to become a cheerleader. Ha! She was very disappointed. I wish she could see how well Ariana can play now. She would be so proud. 

My Nana loved to collect things. I wanted to be just like her, so I decided to start collecting something. I chose cats… For many years after that, I received lots of cat items from her. Hehehe… 

There are several other ornaments. Each one is labeled with my name and the year.  I know the meaning of each one. 

I wanted to include all the elements from her tree, so I purchased some items…

I actually bought these icicles years ago. Nana Inspired.  

I couldn't find apple ornaments, so I made some! 

Instead of making red gingham bows, I decided to run the ribbon down the tree… a touch of me combined with her. 

This is her angel. It's not the one that sat on top of her tree, but it fits mine well. 

And the traditions continue…

I decided to continue her tradition, so I bought my very first Hallmark ornament! I bought one that represented her. I plan to buy a new ornament every year. 

Nana collected lots of things, but her favorite thing to collect was dolls. Madame Alexander dolls were her favorite.

Perfect! Just like her! 

Merry Christmas, Nana!