Our Christmas tree is a memory maker and keeper. Twenty-five years ago, our musical angel ornament began playing randomly—even without the “on” button pushed. We discovered it was home to a nest of ants while on their way to an ornament of the edible variety. After a thorough cleaning, the angel found its way back to the tree. Each year as I hang this angel, I think of the mystery music.

Today while adorning our tree, there are many memory triggers—glittered popsicle stick stars my preschoolers made decades ago. Years of handmade ornaments from my sister-in-law. The miniature Coleman lantern in memory of a dear friend who passed. A San Francisco trolley car and Mickey ornaments remind me of family trips. And, of course, 40 years of picture ornaments which now warrant a tree of their own.

Ours is an eclectic tree harboring an abundance of memories that are sweet to recall. If preserving memories is of value to you, here are three Timely Tips to make that happen.

Timely Tips to preserve memories

This cross-stitch picture from my Aunt Dorothy has a story to tell of the special connection between my family, theirs, and my in-laws.

VIDEO

Once your home is decorated, grab your phone and roam the house looking for ornaments and other decorations that have special meaning.
Take video of them while sharing why they're significant to you.
Have your kids identify and share about their own special items and memories.
Show the video on your TV or computer at Christmas and save it on a flash drive for each family member.

PHOTO BOOK

Photograph the special items (yours and your kids’)
Type out the memories that go along with them.
During the holidays collect photos of your gatherings and activities (ticket stubs/programs/etc.)
Create an online photo book using Mixbook, Vistaprint, Shutterfly, Snapfish, etc.

Although I failed this year, I try to create a photo book of the previous Christmas before another Christmas comes around. We keep a shelf of our Christmas photo books accessible during the holidays to view and reminisce together.

As my kids were growing I was no Creative Memories expert, but here's a page from a Christmas scrapbook that included a copy of our Christmas letter. (I was a little more creative back then) The bottom photo triggers a memory of having a terrible soar throat but not passing up the opportunity to walk the decorated Huntington Boulevard with my fam.

JOURNAL/SCRAPBOOK

If you’d prefer steering clear of the digital mode, there’s always good ‘ole scrapbooking. Unless you’re a Creative Memories expert, you may want to opt for a book with prompts and specific places to record your memories. Our Christmas Story: A Modern Christmas Memory Book by Korie Herold, can be purchased on Amazon.

Image by Deborah Hudson from Pixabay

Of all the special holiday memories, I’m most thankful for the record of the first Christmas that Luke carefully investigated and recorded.

“So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:4-12