Every December, when I decorate my Christmas tree, I take a trip down memory lane.

I started a collection of Christmas ornaments in 1978 in Hong Kong. These three are always the first ones I hang on my tree.

Embroidered ornaments from Hong Kong (1978)

This one is hand-blown glass from Venice. Cost me a fortune, as I recall – but now I’m glad I made the investment!

Venice, Italy

A hand-crafted one from Nova Scotia is made from a snail shell – the pointy part of Santa’s hat is the apex of the shell.

Nova Scotia (1999)

In the Central Market in Budapest, they sell beautiful ornaments made from hollowed-out eggs which are then hand-painted, etched or otherwise decorated with folkloric motifs.

Budapest, Hungary

Little geta sandals from Japan. (These sandals have a practical application: they elevate the wearer so that their kimono will not drag on the ground.)

Japan

The little figure on the right is playing the ubiquitous Andean pan flute.

Peru (2007)

This one was a gift (certainly from an import store) … but reflects my love and affection for India.

(probably made in China ….)

from Thailand . . .

Thailand

A modest little stone cottage from Ireland.

Ireland

There’s one ornament that revives a memory that pre-dates any of my travels. I was a Home Ec Education major (… so glad THAT didn’t work out!) at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. When I was student teaching – back in 1976 – I had my class mix up a batch of dough from which they were to fashion Christmas ornaments. One of my students was quite the rascal. You know the type; the jokester, the class clown … disruptive in a charming sort of way. He made an ornament which he gave to me. On the back, he wrote: “To Murph, Lloyd Laurian, 1976”

Every year, without fail, I wonder the same thing, “Whatever happened to Lloyd Laurian?”

What ever happened to Lloyd Laurian?

So, dear reader, what kinds of things do you collect when YOU travel?  (Please post in the comment box below…)

Many thanks for reading, and Merry Christmas!