As a newlywed, you quickly realize that an ornament collection is something that grows gradually over time. I’ll never forget the first year Bo and I bought a tree together, while living in Philadelphia, and realized we didn’t have any ornaments after we got home. We were both so accustomed to our family’s trees where there was never enough room for every ornament, even when there were two trees in the home.

That year we bought three packs of red, white, and gold ornaments at K-Mart to decorate our small tree. We decided that moving forward we’d buy an ornament on every vacation and then random bear ornaments here and there.

Now, four years later, we have finally developed an ornament collection that makes us smile each year when we relive our vacations and memories. Even this year’s seven foot tree is covered head to toe, at least on the front, by ornaments!

Last night, while decorating the tree, Bo and I especially loved these ornaments, each of which are now near and dear to our heart.

This ornament, Rudolph, is my maiden name and will always bring a smile to my heart when I remember all the years of torment I received during the holidays for having the same last name as the red nosed reindeer.

This ornament was given to us by our wedding planner and is the church where were married, Isle of Hope Methodist church.

My maid of honor, Amy, gave this to us our first Christmas! We forgot to buy an ornament on Anguilla, while on Honeymoon, but this personalized ornament includes a picture of us from our honeymoon, therefore making it a perfect substitute!

We bought this ornament, a pink Bermuda home, on our trip to Bermuda this May!

This ornament will always remind me of our first trip to Disney World together, enjoyed in January with Meghann and Derek!

Question: Have you started an ornament collection of your own? If so, what is your favorite ornament?