A Few of my Favorite Ornaments

As I have already shared, Christmas is by far my favorite holiday.  I tend to set up the Christmas tree as quickly as possible, primarily because I cannot wait to bring the ornament collection out of storage.  I have quite a few.  So many in fact that Danny has suggested getting me a little tree for our bedroom.  That may be a post-Christmas clearance purchase, or perhaps we will just opt for a larger tree.

 

Each ornament has meaning to me; almost all of them were gifts.  I do not like to buy my own ornaments.  Rather, I like when someone else picks them out, either because they think of me or it holds significance to them.  Most of my ornament collection is from my grandparents who used to give each of us one annually.  This was one of two gifts that could be opened on Christmas Eve. 

 

I have also enjoyed seeing how Danny has also taken to adding to the collection.  When we spent our first Christmas together (2010), he brought one (ONE!) Star Trek ornament - the Starship Enterprise that lights up on the top - with him.  Now he has around five that are specifically his or are "ours together".  For instance, the ornament in between the two eggs and Raggedy Ann is from Pike's Peak.  We bought it shortly after Danny proposed. 

 

Another thing I love about bringing out the ornaments box is looking at the dates on each one.  Almost all of them have a year on them, except this random wooden reindeer.   I have absolutely no idea where it came from, or if it is even mine, hopefully I will remember to ask my Dad about it. 

 

I think most of the ornaments that I took pictures of need little to no explanation (e.g. the ESPN TV or the Bears "player"), but here are a few words on the others:

 

• The eggs: my Grandmom and Grandpop (Killmer) bought those in back to back years.  They are personalized with my name on it, and are quite detailed and beautiful.
• After Pike's Peak is Raggedy Ann - I had a lot of Raggedy Ann and Andy things from when I was little.  This ornament is circa 1983.
• Spike wanted to be sure that I point his ornament out - top right hand corner. That was a gift from Grandma Pechie. He likes knowing that he will be forever immortalized on our Christmas tree.
• The pink ball marks Baby's First Christmas (1982). 
• Grant Hill is still one of my all-time favorite basketball players (and crushes, which Danny does not appreciate very much).
• The Gingerbread House and Twister Roller Coaster ornaments are both nods to the grandparents, Killmer.  For years and years my grandparents would make a wonderful gingerbread house, and bring it out with them all the way from Pennsylvania.  Many wonderful memories exist around those houses because each one was invariably different but never failed to taste great!  The Twister is a wooden roller coaster at Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, PA.  We went every summer for years, and always had a blast!
• This ornament was definitely a school project - me in 1986 - an "awwww" will hopefully now ensue.

 

I always enjoy hearing about other families' Christmas traditions.  Please feel free to share yours with me.

 

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

 

With love,

Laurie

 

 

 

 

My Top Five Christmas Movies

 

I absolutely love Christmas.  One of my favorite parts about the holiday season is being able to watch the movies that go along with it (without the weird looks for watching them in July or something).  Here are my Top Five Favorites, as well as one Honorable Mention.

 

 

Honorable Mention

 

Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962)



 

This one is an old family favorite.  Regrettably, I have not seen it in years since the only version we owned is VHS.  I love most versions of A Christmas Carol, but there is something extra special about the old animation and Mister Magoo.  Ironically someone referenced Mister Magoo a few days ago, and he was shocked that I knew who that was...

 

#5

 

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)

I will be the first to admit that I have absolutely no idea what the appeal is of this movie.  The stop motion animation may be odd, but the characters are lovable and the soundtrack is fun.  This movie never fails to get me in the Christmas spirit, and I also find myself hoping that none of my toys ended up on the Island (of Misfit Toys)...  Please don't tell, but Spike is getting an Abominable Snow Monster plush for Christmas.  It is already in his stocking, and I just hope it makes it to December 26th as Spike tends to be hard on stuffed toys.

#4

Love Actually (2003)

 

 

Yes, there is a movie from this Century on the list.  This is another film with a stellar soundtrack, actually one of the best in years, that can legitimately be listened to all year round.  I really enjoy how this movie follows a number of plot lines, yet manages to tie everything together.  There are some wonderful performances from Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant, just to name a few.  I will probably never forget my parents walking in on me watching this movie at exactly the wrong moment - there is a scene of questionable content.  To this day I am not sure they have ever seen it all the way through.  I also saw this movie for the first time with one of my best girlfriends at the Highland Town Theater, which makes it extra special (especially since we got cake at intermission).

#3

Die Hard (1988)

Well, this movie developed the reputation of being the "Killmer Family Christmas Movie" when my Dad referenced it in one of his Christmas letters.  Those letters had developed quite a reputation - perhaps he will start writing them again...  I digress. 

 

Die Hard (the first one) does take place on Christmas Eve, which is probably the only thing "Christmasy" about it.  There are some classic lines that include off-color language, but never fail to make me laugh.  Plus you can see some really bad 80s hair/clothes, and Bruce Willis when he was quite attractive.  I have never seen the sequels, and so I cannot speak to their merit.  The original for me will always be the way to go.

#2

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

 

 

Now, I grew up watching (and loving) classic movies.  So, it is quite odd that it took until my junior year of high school and a math extra credit assignment for me to see this well-known Christmas classic.  I was hooked from the moment I watched it.  Of course that could be because I have always been a sucker for Jimmy Stewart, or perhaps I just love the idea that things tend to work out in the end.  It is also interesting to think how life would be different if you had never been born...  When I bought the VHS copy of this movie it came with a bell ornament that still hangs on my tree today.  Sadly, I do not have the DVD yet.  *Danny - Christmas hint*

 



#1

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

This is one classic movie that I did see with my family.  I know they remade this movie in the 1990s (1994, I believe), but I refuse to see it.  For me, Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn can never be replaced.  I actually saw the very end of this movie before I saw the rest, and I remember being quite confused over the significance of a cane in the corner...  I watch this one every year without fail.  I love the idea that "a nice old man can be proven to be Santa Claus."

What is your favorite Christmas movie?  I would love to consider adding yours to my annual repertoire (perhaps even in July).