In focus: Holiday Keepsakes

“My father’s wool scarf and ice skates from the early 1940s New York City. These skates and scarf of my father’s, Dr. Richard Nacewski (1930-1993), were gently placed in the ‘donate’ box by my mother. I claimed them right away. While I had never seen them before, they quickly became a true treasure and the dominant fixture under our Christmas tree.” Jennifer Weichert, Mendota Heights (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“I made the Singing Snowman Family when I was 10 (50 years ago). My mom displayed it every Christmas until she died in 2002. I’ve displayed it in my own home since then. It’s not very fancy, and it’s getting a little worn, but whenever I look at it I’m reminded of my mother and how delighted she seemed to be with my creation.” Carla Christopherson, Brainerd, Minn. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“I was 6 in 1956 when Sister Anaclete told us to bring in two new Christmas bulbs to decorate. I forgot to tell my parents until the night before. Dad was mad at me and the nuns. Mom was flustered. Mom dug through the Christmas ornaments until she found two plain glass bulbs. The next day in class, I carefully wrote “MOM” on one bulb and “DAD” on the other with white glue. Then I sprinkled each with glitter. My parents loved their presents.” Shari Albers, Minneapolis (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“The Christmas of 1984, my husband and our 3-year-old son sat down with a piece of cardboard, some glitter, glue and a toilet paper roll to create this star for our Christmas tree. Thirty-five years later, this star, with a bit more glitter and a lot more glue, is still adorning our son’s family tree.” Monica Rosen, Apple Valley (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“As my kids grew up, their dad’s illness was ever present in our lives. We chose to see the positive, be optimists, and these ornaments reflect that. We painted my husband’s IV bottles and used them as gifts for our tree as well as family and friends. We chose to celebrate. And now that he has passed away, it reminds us of our good fight.” Jane Kepple Johnson, Albert Lea, Minn. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“When my son was about 10, his teacher invited her students and their parents to make these ornaments together. They’ve survived surprisingly well for almost 40 years. They’re among our most cherished keepsakes hanging on our tree.” Judy Russell, North Mankato (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“When my daughters were growing up in Germany, we spent many hours doing crafts. As a photojournalist, I had a lot of photo paper boxes, one of which became a frame for this nativity scene by Claire, then 3. It has brought back fond memories of our 18 years in Europe for nearly four decades.” Barbara La Valleur, Edina (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“My mother-in-law made this ornament over 40 years ago (yup, it’s a deer), but as soon as we put it on our tree, our cat, Pumpernickel, appropriated it. No matter where we hung it, he’d find it. Every morning we’d find it, a bit more battered, somewhere in the house. He’s been gone almost 20 years, and we still hang it up.” Mary Hanvik, Minneapolis (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“My daughter made this five-star construction paper Santa in 1981. She wrote ‘Love Kristin’ in her best kindergarten printing. It immediately was placed on our Christmas tree and then carefully tucked away. When she was in high school, she bought me the five-star Santa ornament in hopes I’d toss her handmade one and replace it with the new one. Little did she know then that the paper Santa could never be replaced.” Ellen Feuling, Coon Rapids (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“As a newlywed in 1950, my aunt JoAnn Johnson used watercolors to paint on tissue paper to wrap presents. I wasn’t very careful in tearing my gift open, but the tissue was folded and saved. Eventually, I did frame it because it is so special.” Kaylene Hayes, Minneapolis (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“This Santa has been in the center of our family Christmas tree for 72 years. Before that it was the center of my grandmother’s tree. We aren’t sure how old it actually is, but it doesn’t matter. It brings back the most fabulous memories. It is the one decoration I place on our tree myself. The first decoration on the tree and the last to come off.” Karen Lorinser, Prior Lake