Remembering a Childhood Tradition

When I was a little girl, we had a basket of heart ornaments that sat under the Christmas Tree.

I have spent a lot of time this month at my mom’s helping with our family’s business.  I couldn’t help but notice the little felt hearts hanging on my mother’s Christmas Tree.

Seeing those little hearts brought back memories.

My mother stitched each of the ornaments long ago.  At the beginning of the Christmas Season one year she put the basket of hearts under our newly decorated tree.  She explained that these ornaments were special.  They could only be placed on the tree when we had done something nice for someone else in the family.

That year I remember coming into my room to find that my bed had been made and my room had been cleaned by my sister.

I remember little notes and shared treats from my brothers.

I remember looking around my home for sweet things I could do for my family members.

I remember little by little our tree being filled with hearts.

Seeing those hearts hanging on the tree brought back so many warm Christmas memories.

I think next year this is a tradition I need to do with my own family.

31 Comments

  1. That is just beautiful! My Mom passed away last year and this year I am missing her so much, especially now at Christmas time as she loved this time of year.

    But, I am lucky to be able to be here with my 3 grown children and their spouses and continue the traditions we had while they were growing up!

    Merry Christmas!

  2. I truly love this idea, and reading your memories brought tears to my eyes. If it’s all right with you, I’d like to share this tradition with my family for next year too.

    I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday!

    Best,
    Amy

  3. What a wonderful tradition! The ornaments are so pretty. Traditions like this one should be the big focus of the season. Thanks for sharing with us. :)

  4. Thank you for sharing. I have been spending lots of time thinking of how to encourage my kids to do kind things to each other. I am going to look for felt on clearance after Christmas. I should be able to make one or two ornaments a month this year. By Christmas next year I will also have a basket of hearts.

  5. What a fantastic tradition! Thankyou so much for sharing. I am expecting my first next week and have been wondering what our future traditions might be and I love this one :)

  6. What a fabulous tradition! My children are so over-excited right now and I keep reminding them that I want to hear Christmas in their voices. What a concrete way to make it happen and bring the season back on track.

  7. What a great tradition and what a great compassion teaching tool! This is something that could also be done during the year with a wall hanging or one of those cute metal trees; hearts for Valentines Day, shamrocks, Easter eggs, flags, jack-o-lanterns etc…ohhh the possibilities are endless!!

  8. What a great tradition. I don’t have kids of my own, but this will make a great gift for all the families I know! Thanks so much for sharing!

  9. That is such a Good Idea! I love it. I think I’ll make some of my own. My husband and I are currently looking for some christmas traditions to start with our own little ones! Thanks for the idea!

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