Family traditions…we love them! And around the holiday season, creating your own family traditions is so special. Picking out the perfect Christmas tree each year, and adorning it with ornaments, is sure to become a core memory your children will treasure into adulthood.
Now, let’s talk about those ornaments. While we love a gorgeous Christmas tree that looks straight out of the pages of Pottery Barn, we’re huge fans of trees full of meaningful ornaments. There’s nothing more beautiful than the ornament your child made in pre-school, right? And you smile every time you hang that peanut butter toast themed ornament up because it reminds you of the year that it’s all your toddler survived on. And then there’s the annual Star Wars themed ornament you get for your husband, because he really is a kid at heart.
Do you have a tradition of creating an annual photo ornament? If not, this is the year to begin this sweet custom. You’ll love looking back each year, and eventually you’ll have an entire collection of precious ornaments to hand down to your children and to their children.
Here are our favorite photo ornament ideas. Choose your favorite and start your own family tradition.
A Vacation Keepsake Ornament
Did you take a special family trip this year? Commemorate it with a vacation photo Christmas ornament! From National Parks to Disney World to beach, you’ll relive the memories year after year when you decorate the tree.
Baby’s First Christmas Photo Ornament
A new baby deserves it’s very own commemorate ornament! This baby’s first Christmas ornament with a photo will bring the “awwwwws” year after year.
Use Camera Roll Snapshots of Favorite Memories
We know your camera roll is full of great photos from your year. Choose a few favorites – even one great memory for each child – and make them into keepsake ornaments. Celebrate the little things like your daughter’s game-winning goal, your baby’s first taste of strawberries, or the first snowfall of the season. We promise your future-self will thank you for capturing these special little moments!
A Keepsake Ornament Using a Family Portrait
If you’re invested in family portraits, make sure to put those beautiful images to good use. Creating an ornament that displays your annual family portrait is a great way to capture your growing family year after year. Make sure to order extras, as they also make treasured gifts for grandparents.
Make a Pet Photo Ornament
Let’s not forget the cutest (and furriest) family member of all! Make a tradition of creating a photo ornament for your dog, cat or heck, even your goldfish, is so fun! Capturing them from the puppy years and beyond adds a little extra sweetness to the Christmas tree!
