A Bradshaw Family Christmas, And My Obsession with Hallmark Ornaments

One of Justin’s favorite Christmas movies is ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’, and he insists on watching it every time it’s on Freeform during their 35 Days of Christmas, and for those of you who don’t know, they show it A LOT. I usually sigh, roll my eyes and settle in to some task or another while listening to the movie with him (I listen to t.v. shows and movies more than I actually watch them). While I pretend not to like the movie, I actually really relate to Clark’s desire to have a ‘traditional family Christmas’.  

Like many families, we have our own Christmas traditions- and it just wouldn’t feel like the holiday season without them. One of the traditions that my mom started for my brother and I when we were little was to pick out a Hallmark Christmas ornament for us every Christmas from our first to (well at least for me) the last before I got married.  Anyway, they have to be Hallmark ornaments. You know; the ones that they dedicate almost an entire wall to in the store. Each year we try to pick out ornaments that represent things we like or enjoy doing.

This year, Christopher got Miles from ‘Miles from Tomorrowland’ ornament, Josh got an Optimus Prime from ‘Transformers’  ornament, and Andrew got a Baby’s 1st Christmas ornament. I got two: a new ‘Beauty and the Beast’ ornament, and a porcelin baby carriage in honor of Andrew. 

Every year, decorating our tree is a reminder of all the Christmases past. Unwrapping each ornament, remembering what time in my life they all represent, and adding this year’s ornaments to the tree is a special time for me during the Christmas season. And I hope that- one day- when I hand my boys’ boxes to them to put on their trees, they will think back over the years and share the stories with their wives, and the tradition will continue.