Hanging the Christmas decorations on our tree this week brought back some old memories, and created some new ones. Over the years I have collected many ornaments, and our tree is filled with them. The following are just a sample of my favorites, and how they jog my memory every year as I hang them on the tree.



This ornament showing friends from around the world joining hands was a gift to me from students when I was a volunteer ESOL (English for Students of Other Languages) teacher, helping students from around the world to prepare for the American citizenship interview and test. I am so thankful for the friendship I shared with all those wonderful people. As I hung it on the tree this year, I also thought about how grateful I am to all my new friends on Steemit. A new memory has been born!
![hands around the world.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512334451/f5nxaw52qdjovatoi5hv.jpg)
**_Image © Diane Macdonald. All Rights Reserved._**

One of my sons made this candy cane ornament many years ago when he was in kindergarten, so each year as I hang it on the tree, my head is flooded with memories of  good times spent with family and and with thoughts about the wonderful times we still share. I am so grateful for my husband and sons.
![candy cane.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512334472/jutrmpmzfdhggslwcmoy.jpg)
**_Image © Diane Macdonald. All Rights Reserved._**

Apart from my husband, sons, and a niece and her family, all my family is still in Scotland, so this ornament (a gift from my sister one Christmas) reminds me of the love of my family far away at Christmastime. I am forever grateful for their love and support, and thank God that although the miles may separate us, we are a close-knit family.
![scotland greetings.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512334489/jx7bxwfdmdmozbkjqdor.jpg)
**_Image © Diane Macdonald. All Rights Reserved._**

This ornament is a reminder of how grateful I am for all my dear friends, and especially for the friend who gave this to me the first Christmas that we spent without our faithful dog, Carlos. It's a reminder not only of Carlos, but also of my other dog, a beautiful golden retriever named Sandy. I'm blessed to have had both in my life. 
![dog ornament.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512334514/g1us5ddubfa7ptmkffrs.jpg)
**_Image © Diane Macdonald. All Rights Reserved._**

I couldn't have a dog ornament without also having a cat one! I'm reminded of friendship again, as another dear friend gave me this one. There has been no time in my life that I have been without at least one cat in my life, so I have no idea what it is like to live in a home without these delightful creatures around. Even now, after losing both our senior cats a few short months apart, there are two cats still in our home. My son and his two kitties have been with us for a year, but he is about to move overseas and hopes to bring the cats with him. I will have empty nest syndrome in a big way then! It is hard to remain sad or stressful when you have a purring cat on your lap. I am so grateful for all the cats who have been in my life!
![cat ornament.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512334531/ie9cpvcymhdbeiacxiqc.jpg)
**_Image © Diane Macdonald. All Rights Reserved._**

I love learning, and this ornament was a gift from a friend I have lost touch with over the years. The occasion was the second time I graduated from college. The first time I graduated from college was back in Scotland in the 1960s, and my major was education. On this occasion in the eighties, my major was computer science, and finally for the third time I graduated with a major in photography in the 1990s! I am so grateful for the education I have had.
![graduation ornament.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512334547/lr1citkaaxibiyyigoyg.jpg)
**_Image © Diane Macdonald. All Rights Reserved._**

No Christmas would be complete without the manger scene. Without the birth of Jesus in a lowly stable, there would be no Christmas, the biggest birthday bash in the history of the world. I am so grateful for His birth over 2000 years ago.
![manger scene.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512334576/x7p5awzcig9oumoqmgnn.jpg)
**_Image © Diane Macdonald. All Rights Reserved._**

Without Christmas, there would be no cross, and without the cross there would be no Resurrection. Without the Resurrection there would be no Hope for mankind. This cross reminds me that God's greatest gift of all was His Son, who freely gave His life in my place. Now THAT is something to be eternally grateful for!
![christmas cross.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512334607/fyvvmwjo3yk0ayiaoayv.jpg)

**_Image © Diane Macdonald. All Rights Reserved._**

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Thanks for taking the time to read this! I appreciate it.



To check out my art prints and stock images online, please visit my [website.](dianemacphoto.com)
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Are you looking for something unique as a gift this holiday SEASON? Please check out all the products I have available on [Fineartamerica here](https://diane-macdonald.pixels.com/) and [Redbubble here](http://www.redbubble.com/people/dianecmcac).  You will find household goods, apparel, cell phone and tablet covers etc. as well as traditional prints!   Thanks for looking. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! :-)

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