My Favorite Christmas Ornament
Let's wrap up this week of newsletters on a lighter note.
I mentioned in yesterday's newsletter that E and I only have a small box of ornaments here in Berlin. Most of our ornaments are back in the States, but the longer we spend in Germany (we're coming up on 4 years!), the more I'd like to move some of our Christmas decorations here.
My favorite thing about Christmas ornaments is the stories behind them - where they came from, how long you've had them, etc. The majority of our ornaments back in the States have the same backstory. They're from the holiday party that E and I threw in 2014.
In August 2014, we lost most of our possessions in an apartment fire, and that included all of our Christmas ornaments, so when December rolled around, we didn't own any decorations. Instead of going out and buying a bunch of new baubles, I went to a craft store and bought several blank ornaments in different shapes and materials as well as paint and glitter. So, in addition to our usual holiday party activities (wearing silly Christmas sweaters and eating latkes made by my best friend, Lisa), our dining room table became a crafting area. We invited our guests to decorate ornaments and hang them on the tree when they were done.
Some of the ornaments turned out beautifully. Others are ugly and falling apart, but that's part of their charm. Each ornament is unique and was lovingly made for us at a difficult time in our lives.
In the years following that Christmas (but before we moved abroad), it was fun to pull out each ornament while decorating the tree and try to remember who had made it. "Can you read this person's handwriting?" "Oh, did so-and-so's ex make this one?" "This drawing is supposed to be David Bowie, right? Glitter glue is a challenging medium."
But one ornament from that party stands out in my mind. It's the one that I most want to gently bubble wrap and bring home to Berlin. It is a lovely round bauble with a gentle point at the bottom - a classic Christmas ornament shape. And one of my oldest and dearest friends, Megan, painted it to look like a boob.
Yes, this is my favorite Christmas ornament. I always think of it fondly this time of year, and someday it will join me in Germany.