Last night when I came to my bedroom I was enchanted by this tiny Christmas tree on my dresser. We have a large tree in the living room as well, but every year for the bedroom I decorate a small tree with tiny ornaments, some of which are about 50 years old. These were ornaments that I used as a child at my grandma’s place for my own small plastic tree. It felt festive and magical then, and it still holds this feeling for me now.
Speaking of the large tree, when I was decorating it this year, I dropped another blast-from-the-[Christmas]-past heirloom – a large glass bell. It shattered completely. I felt that sharp pang of realization of the finality of what happened and even cried. But as my vSO was trying to console me, I came up with something that helped. I proposed we thought of it as a mishap that absorbed some future bad luck protecting us from it. It comforted me.
I wish you all health, happiness and energy to maintain (or establish) your own positive traditions. And let a shattered ornament to be our worst misfortune.
Happy New Year!
Undina's Looking Glass 
Beautiful trees, and sorry to hear about the ornament, Undina. That’s a good way to think of it. I wish you a Happy New Year, and all the best for 2026!
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The little Christmas tree is beautiful, and I love that you’re using old ornaments to decorate it. I have several family heirloom ornaments on my big Christmas tree, which are about 85 years old now. They were on both my grandmother’s and mother’s Christmas trees, and they bring back fond memories of them every year. As you can imagine, I’ve broken many ornaments over the years, and I appreciate your creative approach to dealing with the loss of them.
I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year, Undina!
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I know that feeling of breaking something that can’t be replaced… but applaud the reframing of it as protecting against bad luck! I always thought of it as a signal for me to look to the future and not the past. We’ve made it through another year, which should be celebrated. Happy New Year!
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What a beautiful little tree!
We have no heirloom ornaments from parents. Mum threw them away for “stylish” colour coordinated decorations & a fake tree. We had a real tree in a half barrel we brought in each year from 72-84 that she burnt.
DH’s parent were divorced & remarried. No idea what happened to theirs.
Wishing you & all your readers a Happy Healthy & Wealthy 2026
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Wishing you, your vSO and MIL a Happy New Year! I love how you put a positive spin on the loss of your heirloom ornament! May 2026 be full of good health, wealth and blessings.
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Love your beautiful little tree! We didn’t have any holiday decorations this year, but a friend gave me a lovely poinsettia that has brightened my holiday. I hope you and your family have a wonderful new year.
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