Our Pre-Christmas Tradition (+ 21 family ornaments)

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One of my favorite holiday traditions is growing our ornament collection. Every trip we take and really, everywhere we go, we look for ornaments to buy that represent where we've been. To me, ornaments symbolize our family adventures, our likes and our growing family.

Every year since we got married, we've done an ornament exchange. I buy an ornament for Frank and he buys one for me. Most of the time, I receive ornaments that have to do with sweets - cupcakes, ice cream...you get the picture. And as I sit here staring at our tree full or ornaments, they bring back memories. So many memories.

Back when we lived in an apartment (and had no kids), we often went out to our favorite local bar and every single time, I would order a soft pretzel. So that soft pretzel ornament Frank got me brings back all of those memories. And the squirrel ornament we got for Baxter this year....I'll spare you the details from the story behind that one.

But no matter the year, we always get each other an ornament and we choose one together for each of our babies.

Our ornament collection has grown and will continue to grow and as we decorate the tree each year, it's such a fun reminder of all of the great adventures, stories and memories we've had together. And they'll always be a fun reminder each and every year.

(This is one of the ornaments we got for Ava this year!)

So if you think this sounds like fun and want to start this tradition in your family, I found some of my favorite personalized family ornaments (and even some baby's first Christmas ornaments) that are such a special memory to add to your Christmas tree. Whether it's a new home, a new baby or just a fun memory you had together that year, unboxing all of your memories every single year to reminisce on the good times if part of what makes this time of year so special to me. And they make some great gift ideas too!

If you see any you love, just click on the image and it will take you right to the small shop that makes it!