Thanksgiving Bounty

I worked with a wonderful woman during the early years of my marriage and parenting.  One year she told me that it was a Thanksgiving tradition in their family to have a Christmas ornament for each person who shared their holiday meal.  I immediately stole the idea and have presented ornaments to family and guests when we have been lucky enough to dine at home.


Wednesday during breakfast my middle son announced, “I can’t wait to see what our ornaments are this year.”  Heavens.  In the midst of the holiday card making and the school projects I had forgotten to get the ornaments.  I knew a quick trip to Hall’s would be an easy solution; they have great ornaments and there was sure to be something for everyone.

While there I overheard another shopper saying, “This one’s for Susie and this one’s for Stacy and this one is for Bob and this is for what’s-her-name.”  “Excuse me?,” said the clerk.  “Hurmph.  My daughter-in-law.”  I’m quite sure the feeling is mutual.

So this year the eldest received boy’s best friend, the middle, a turtle to commemorate his new pet and the youngest, a cupcake, because he is one and would live on sugar given the chance.  Mr. Blandings received a grill.  To say he was overjoyed would be an exaggeration.  He has never bought into the ornament obsession and feels sure we have enough.  And the other boxer?  A gift from my mother-in-law who would never call me “what’s-her-name.”  The feeling is entirely mutual.
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16 thoughts on “Thanksgiving Bounty

  1. What a great tradition. It is amazing how such simple ideas become such treasured memories.

    happy holidays.

  2. Why you certainly do think of everything! What a clever idea, an ornament! I do love party favors and especially ones that have been “personalized.”
    Lovely table – the mint julep cups are such a nice touch.

  3. Patricia, we get a similar tradition with a slight twist. We buy a spiffy white round ornament, and with a fine sharpie, everyone signs everyone else’s ball. It’s a great memory of the day, and the quotes and asides people add to eachothers balls are fun and endearing. 🙂

    Loving your blog dear. 🙂
    Alexis

  4. My sister’s mother-in-law used to call my sister Missy, because she couldn’t be bothered to remember her real name.

  5. What a lovely tradition! And I like the transition it provides between two holidays. I have been giving ornaments to my nieces and nephews since they were babies so they would have their own decorations when they move out on their own. I remember being distraught my first Christmas on my own with no ornaments — decorated the tree with my jewelry!

  6. What a wonderful tradition that I must steal immediately! My in-laws live in Kansas City and I’ll admit to a fondness for ornament shopping at Hall’s.

    A couple years ago, a raccoon broke into my attic, invited all her friends and threw a big party. Every ornament but one was broken (or gnawed). 20 years of ornament collecting gone in one crazy wildlife orgy.

    The one that survived was my most precious ornament, and they are only things, after all. It was a real wrench at the time, though. I cried buckets. Hall’s came to the rescue and I got some (tons) really darling ornaments.

  7. That is the BEST tradition ever!! I’m totally using it, and I hope you dont mind…thank you for passing on a wonderful idea and tradition to come. LOVE IT!!

  8. What a wonderful tradition. We give ornaments at Christmas but how neat for Thanksgiving — at the beginning of the season rather than at the end!

    Martha

  9. What a lovely tradition! I didn’t know you did this. Everyone will want to copy the concept.

    Your table and presents look very, very pretty. I love that the boys look forward to the ritual.

  10. My mother-in-law makes needlepoint ornaments for us each year, and gives us to them on Thanksgiving. Each one is monogrammed with the name of the person to whom they are given. They are my most treasured ornaments, and thankfully,I have a wonderful relationship with MIL (I pity ‘what’s her name’).

  11. I love that tradition. I would love to steal it as well for next Thanksgiving. All of the ornaments were beautiful and I loved the way that you wrapped them.

  12. Wonderful tradition!!!! I have always given an ornament every year to my family and we have hung them Christams morning, but I think I like this idea better!

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