33 Christmases

I am a December baby.  Unlike people born at other times of the year who get to celebrate their birthdays as unique events, those of us born in December have to share the lime light with other, larger holidays.  Being born so close to Christmas, I would often receive ornaments as birthday gifts.  When I was younger, I hated the practice of receiving a Christmas-Birthday gift.  As I've gotten older, I  have grown to cherish my collection. I currently have personal ornaments from 1980 to the present, as well as, several of my grandmother's ornaments from the 1970s (before I was born).  As I tend to share everything, I wanted to share this collection as well. 

Here are most of ornaments laid out before hanging (thanks to Erica and Eric for helping with the decorating):

This is my Hallmark Muppet ornament from 1982.  I loved the Muppet Show even when I was very young.  Kermit the Frog was my favorite.  

This is my Grover snowman ornament.  Its from the late 80s (possibly early 90s).  It came as part of a set of five with Big Bird, Oscar Bert and Ernie (this was before Elmo existed), unfortunately the other three were lost or broken and this is the only one that remains. 

  

This is Strawberry Shortcake from 1983 (I believe).  I was never a huge fan of dolls but I did love Strawberry Shortcake.  I think it was the wonderful strawberry smell that made me want to eat them (probably not a very good idea).  

This is my Shirt Tales ornament from 1983 (remember Tyg Tiger, Pammy Panda, Digger Mole, Rick Raccoon , and Bogey Orangutan).  I loved Shirt Tales, really I loved anything with animals (Care Bears, My Little Pony) and still do.  

Once we got to the 1990s my mom started buying me an ornament every year that in some way commemorated the year.  In 1995 I started racing Giant Slalom so the Ski Dog was appropriate. 

I got my driver's license in 1997 and my mother thought she was cute and got me a Corvette ornament to celebrate.  When I got my first car in college it was a purple Saturn, not a red Corvette (and sadly neither car was a Ferrari FF). 

I don't have any Dartmouth ornaments (this is an omission that needs to be corrected) but in 1999 my mom got me a Dr. Seuss ornament as Theodore Geisel is a Dartmouth alum.  Shaun hint, hint, a Dartmouth ornament would be a good birthday or Christmas present this year. 

As I got older, my mom moved away from buying me Hallmark ornaments and took a serious liking to Christopher Radko.  When I bought my house in 2007 she got me this one.  It stands out on the tree and while its not the prettiest ornament I own, its one of the most unique. 

Shaun and I got married in 2010 and I had Bunny with a Toolbelt design this ornament for our first Christmas together.  Bunny with a Toolbelt also did a lot of design work for our wedding -- you can check it out here -- so I thought the ornament would be appropriate.  Shaun is the brown bunny and I am the gray cat, which was designed after my favorite cat Webster. 

 

As an adult people other than Shaun and my mom have learned that I love ornaments.  In 2011 Emily had name ornaments made for me, Shaun and Abbey.  I love the simple balls and glitter lettering.  Sometimes less is more and simple works best.  

The majority of ornaments that I have collected as an adult are animals.  Before Emily got married last year we did the Trainer for a Day program at Mystic Aquarium.  I love the belugas (especially Juno) and I picked up this ornament from the Mystic gift shop. 

Many people know I've had a tough year dealing my eating disorder and body image issues.  After a particularly rough week I came home to a package from my friend Alex with this little guy inside.  Corgis are the most perfect dogs and this is my favorite for 2013.