TREASURED TRINKETS

Readers and magazine staff share their favorite ornaments, baubles and Christmas decorations

STORY BY BETSY ILER

It’s the odd assortment of ornaments – the old, seemingly worn-out ones – that we proudly make a fuss over as we hang them on the Christmas tree or place on the mantel every year. Those are the ones we celebrate, the ones we look forward to discovering again and again as we carefully unpack them from cushions of foam or wads of tissue.

The decorated tree itself predates modern history, as the ancient Egyptians are thought to have adorned their homes with evergreen boughs during the winter solstice. Romans, Druids and Vikings are reputed as having done the same. The tree took on a Christian aura in 16th century Germany when fruits and candles were used to decorate during the holiday season.

Christmas trees initially were rejected by the Puritans when German immigrants brought them to the New World in the 18th and 19th centuries. But then, Queen Victoria made them fashionable. England’s beloved queen was pictured in front of a decorated Christmas tree with her German-born husband, Prince Albert, and their children in the mid-1800s; and suddenly, Christmas trees laden with baubles became all the rage.

Today, it is common custom to make or purchase Christmas ornaments that commemorate special events

from the previous year or to remember loved ones who have passed. And stories are told over steaming cups of cocoa, as the carols play and the fires crackle in homes across the country. One special ornament this year traveled from Alabama to Washington, D.C., where it is part of the state trees display surrounding the national Christmas tree at the White House. Ria Antha, a ninth-grade student at Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies in Mobile, designed the ornament, which depicts the Children’s Harbor lighthouse on Lake Martin. “It has a lake in the background, the beautiful skies, nature, all the beautiful things about Alabama,” Antha said in an NBC 15 news broadcast in Mobile. The tree also features art by other Barton Academy students, including a painting of Auburn/Alabama football players in action and a flicker, the State bird. The display at President’s Park is free to enter and will be open through December. Visit Barton Academy’s Facebook page for photos from the national tree A White House Ornament lighting ceremony, and check Above and Right: Ria Antha chose the out the website at thenationaltree.org.Children's Harbor Lighthouse as the art for an ornament that now is on display at President's Park in Washington, D.C. On the following pages, we’ve collected photos of more local ornaments and Christmas decorations with their heartfelt stories. So drop a few marshmallows in that cup of hot cocoa and put another log on the fire before you turn the page to keep reading.

Love From Afar

Angela Steven's mother passed away when Angela was a teenager. "This lithophane ornament with her photo on it makes me feel like she's watching over her grandbabies and my wonderful husband, whom she never got to meet."

An Ocean of Joy

This handpainted oyster shell was given to Cheryl Gainer McCall by a friend whose mother made it 30 years ago.

It Takes a Village

Lori Baker began collecting pieces of her Christmas Village years ago and has slowly built a lovely selection with the Santa train, depot, houses, businesses and the workshop. "I look forward to putting them out every year."

Christmas Skirt

These were sewn by TPI General Manager Tippy Hunter's grandmother when Tippy was very young. "I got them when she passed away. Now, the green is under my daughter Emma's Christmas tree, and the red is under my son Hank's."

Phantomof The Opera

This glass ornament was gifted to Audra Spears by her parents when she was 16 years old. "I always find the perfect spot for him on our Christmas tree. It not only represents my love for the musical, but it reminds me of decorating the tree with my mom when I was younger."

Our First Christmas

This very special ornament commemorates Jane and Scotty Howell's first Christmas together. "Scotty and I were married in 1975, and his aunt needlepointed this little ornament for our first Christmas together."

Sew Sweet Stocking

Abigail Murphy's Nana taught her how to thread a needle and read a pattern. "For my parents' first Christmas, she made two green stockings. When I came along, she made the middle one for my first Christmas. The stockings are used every year, and Christmas wouldn't feel the same without them."

Remembering My Father

When Shannyn Meadows' Dad was in hospice care, she would sit on his porch and watch the hummingbirds. "It was so delightful during such a dark time in my life. Isaiah 45:3 speaks of treasures from God during darkness. This ornament reminds me to look for hidden treasures in difficult times."

Letting Go Is Hard

Tara Wilson has many wonderful memories of Christmas in her grandparents' home. "My daughter gave me this snow globe with a picture of their house inside. The inscription says, 'How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.'"

Christmas Together

Harold Dunn made this ornament with his wife and children a few years. "We wanted to do something special for Christmas."

Sailing Away

Her first Christmas at TPI, Magazine Editor-in-Chief Betsy Iler volunteered her husband - with his lovely architectural handwriting skills - to hand letter about 200 wooden ornaments for Lake Martin Living magazine. "He lettered them for several years − and eventually forgave me. I don't volunteer him for anything anymore."

Dreams Do Come True

This Hallmark ornament makes TPI News Editor Kaitlin Fleming happy every time she sits down beside the tree. It represents her fiance and their engagement earlier this year (the wedding is in April!).

A Smart Cookie's Prize

Ellen Godfrey's favorite Christmas bauble started life as an ugly Christmas brooch. Mrs. Alva Hill, Godfrey's fifth-grade teacher, presented it as a prize in a trash pick up contest. "I was small and bullied, but she always called me her 'Smart Cookie.' I ran into her before she passed away, and I got the opportunity to tell her what she meant to me. I never forgot her."

A Loved One Is Near

This cardinal ornament represents Crystal Pemberton's father, who passed away with lung cancer in 2019 at the age of 75.

A Daughter's Collection

Lisa White's Mom, who has passed away, knew how much she loved collecting Santas. She managed the Salvation Army store in Alexander City for years. Every year, her mother bought the Santas at the store and gifted them to her daughter. "In honor of my Mom, this Santa represents her and the joy she always gave me."