Reliving family memories through our Travel Tree

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself thinking even more about the things I'm thankful for. My family and the memories we've created top the list. In just a few days, I'll unpack some of those memories from a red and green plastic tote and hang them on something we call our Travel Tree. It's basically a Christmas tree with ornaments from our vacations or places we've visited. It all started with this one from our honeymoon 13 years ago in Hawaii.

It was actually my husband's idea to buy this ornament in Maui. The month was June and I wasn't really thinking about Christmas.  I'm so glad he was. Because through the years, we've collected more on our travels. In the beginning, we decorated one tree and the travel ornaments hung alongside our other ornaments. Then, three years ago, I realized how much our collection had grown.  We didn't have enough to fill an entire tree, not even close. But one day we would. We had space in our living room for a second tree, so why not decorate one exclusively with the travel ornaments we had? My family gave the idea a thumbs up and the Travel Tree was officially born. 

As each ornament is unwrapped from that plastic tote each year, it's fun hearing the kids say, " I remember this!" or "Remember the time...." It's like we're on vacation all over again. I love this family time. I love this tradition.  I love that each ornament has its own story. Some are stories about my husband and I. Others tell tales of the four of us and sometimes even the 11 of us when we're with extended family.

I think we do a pretty good job at remembering to buy our ornaments. But sometimes we do forget! Then there are times when we just can't find one...not even in the touristy of stores. Not a single ornament. Anywhere. That's when we have to make do with a key chain and call it an ornament.

Yep. We actually had to do that in Riviera Maya. But it worked! Sometimes when I can't find an ornament or forget, I use a picture from the trip and turn in into an ornament. Thankfully, we didn't have any problems finding ornaments in Washington, D.C. this year. 

This is one of two new ornaments that will join the rest on the tree this season. After the decorating is all done, I step back and admire our creation---one filled with love, family and memories. We are blessed.