Each December I take a taped up cardboard box labelled ‘Uncle Guy’s Baubles’ out of the attic. Since the boys were small, my brother-in-law has brought them back a Christmas bauble from his numerous travels around the world. Forget colour themes, our tree is a multi-coloured and cosmopolitan affair. The decorations are quite striking, particularly the exquisite large glass baubles from Hungary. The kitsch coral effect glittery starfishes from Florida add a tropical air to the backdrop of our no-drop Nordman Fir and the patriotic Union Jack baubles hang patiently waiting for the Queen’s Speech on Christmas Day. Over time Uncle Guy’s baubles have taken over most of the tree, with only a couple of casualties – it was bound to happen. When the boys eventually leave home and demand their baubles, I’ll miss them and the tree will no doubt look completely naked without them. Each bauble has been lovingly signed and dated on the bottom.
The oldest decoration on our tree is a shiny orange teardrop-shaped bauble from the 1970’s which belongs to my husband. It was given to him over forty years ago when he was eight. When it first appeared, way before children, I told him there was no way that we were having a vintage orange decoration on my perfectly balanced gold and red themed tree. How times have changed! Colour themes are now totally irrelevant and this much treasured orange decoration has its place along with Uncle Guy’s baubles and decorations that the boys have made.
I'm hooking up to Sarah Miles's Monday Club.
Oh, I love this! My tree is also void of any theme except mayhem. We buy a new for the kids each year and have been given a few - i never thought of writing on the bottom! I always wanted my Nan's deccies. but they got broken in the loft before I could rescue them. All I could salvage was some cherubs and a sort of bakelites shepherd, Mary and Jesus. Kept away from the kids!
ReplyDeletePerfect! How lovely to have a tree with such meaning. We have started this but there aren't very many 'special' decorations yet so still plenty of collecting to do for us! I love this!
ReplyDelete