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15 stories behind some of our Christmas ornaments and decorations

What are some stories behind yours?


  1. Snowball ornaments with wax: Possibly pre-1900. May have belonged to my great-grandmother Hilda Satterlund Wenz. 

  2. What I call the creepy doll (the one in yellow): Belonged to my grandmother Caroline Rubin. I traditionally hang it on the back of the tree each year.

  3. Foil and paper garland: Made by my mother in nursery school, ca. 1959

  4. Painted wood fairy, elf, and duck ornaments: Made by my great-aunt Peep (Hilda Wenz Abraham) and cousin Teddy, ca. 1959

  5. Decorated real egg ornament: By far one of our most delicate ones and one of my favorites. Made by artist Lucy Hawkinson, ca 1963

  6. Shiny origami peacocks: Some of my favorites. Made by my great-aunt Peep (Hilda Wenz Abraham), ca. 1966

  7. Reindeer and bunny ornaments: Decorated by me in late 1990s and a must for the tree

  8. Salt dough snowmen: Made by me in 2004

  9. Angel tree topper that we put a Santa hat on: Made by Mr. Bates, the grandfather of my cousin Bronwen, 1987. The Santa hat I believe was for a Barbie, but we added it to the angel for humor's sake

  10. Clothesline ornament: Made by my mother at a Davis holiday party, 2000s

  11. Literacy Works logo ornament: Lasercrafted by Geof Prairie, gift from Christine Kenny (fundraiser for LW)

  12. Yesterday's Toys ornament: Handcrafted in the USA (SC), ornament commemorating Perrysburg, Ohio shop called Yesterday's Toys.

  13. Photo of my mom and grandmother, 1955 ornament: Lasercut ornament made by artist Geof Prairie in 2014 using family photo

  14. Marzipan piggies from Germany ornament: Bought by me for my mom at Christkindlmarket in 2008

  15. Yellow building decked for Christmas candle: From dear family friend Charline, ca. 2003

(Prompt mostly by ChatGPT)

Photos and some text by Betsy Rubin







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