Do-it-yourself projects aren't for everyone, but they make the finished product, in this case tree ornaments, yours, not someone else's that you bought. For me, that makes a huge difference, when giving gifts, or decorating for the holidays.

My favorite ornaments, which I use still, are the ornaments my daughters made with me, years ago when we were poor. I cut a limb from a tree, and made ornaments from clothespins, pinecones, and popcorn strung on thread. We would have loved to string cranberries, but we couldn't afford cranberries for the tree, just enough to eat on Christmas Day.

We made whipped soapsuds and slathered the tree limb with artificial snow and strung one strand of lights on it, then put the homemade ornaments on the tree, stood back and looked at our handiwork. I still tear up as I think what my oldest daughter said, "It's beautiful; maybe the most beautiful tree in the world, Dad."

Money isn't as tight now, but maybe I am. I still put the clothespin ornaments on the tree, along with other homemade ornaments from later years. One year we made stained glass ornaments from a kit we bought at Hobby Lobby. Another year we made ornaments from photos of the girls, and their brother we lost the previous year.

We made reindeer ornaments from pinecones, actually spruce tree cones, but the girls didn't know the difference; so who am I to correct them? We stuffed cotton balls in the crevices between the cone's "leaves," for Santa's beard, and glued on beads and buttons, with a red-hot candy for a nose. The girls laughed and squealed with joy as they decorated the pinecones.

Now, with more money, we still make things for Christmas gifts, mostly it has been candles for the past years, and fire-starters from the leftover candle wax. We wrap them up and go to friends houses on Boxing Day (December 26th), sometimes, if they are here. Sometimes they don't make it home for the holidays, so we do something when they are here. When we finish the projects, whatever they are, we gather around the piano and sing carols or silly songs from their youth.

Inevitably, through the holidays, at least one or both of them will ask, "Do you remember the Christmas when we made the clothespin ornaments?"

"Of course; I still put them on the tree," I say, and point to them, knowing exactly where I placed them, right where they are easiest to see.

They can't believe I still love those ornaments. "They're so ugly, now, Dad; you should toss them this year."

"Never," I answer. "They're still beautiful to me."

Through this holiday, I wish you and yours a merry and happy time, making ornaments and decorating a tree. It is about memories, if you want it to be. Or, it is about what you make it, not what the stores make it for you. Happy holidays.

Learn more about this author, Will Kester.
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