Though dated 1980, this rocking horse wasn’t completed until 1981. It hung on the tree for Stephen’s first Christmas. I doubt he remembers the event because he was not quite 3 months old, but he does know that is his horse. He is patiently waiting for it to join the rest of his ornaments. When he got married, one of his gifts their first Christmas was all the Christmas ornaments that had been given to him over the years. Except this one – I am hanging on to it for a while longer because it reminds me of my first Christmas as a mother and how wondrous it was to have a baby of my own. It also reminds me of Mary and her first time as a mother which makes the Christmas story feel more personal.

The hat I made for myself. It had a pair of matching mittens which belonged to Stephen’ s Dad. These ornaments came as small embroidery kits. They were on sale because they were last year’s designs. I find it a bit odd that Christmas ornaments and decor have “trends” such as rustic plaid one year, bright red and green the next, metallics another, but they do. In this case, it worked in my favor. I was able to save money and indulge in one of my favorite hobbies – needlework. And, despite being designs from 1979, I don’t think they have lost one bit of charm or Christmas cheer.