I set up my Christmas tree in record time this year. Usually after cutting the tree down from a local farm, it takes one to two days to get the lights on the tree (my least favorite Christmas activity) and then another to get all of the decorations on it. This year, however, I am on a mission to complete all of my holiday prep with efficiency and not to strive for perfection to allow myself to be more present for the season in its entirety.

It’s always so much fun, especially this year with Emerson, decorating the tree once the lights are on. I love to look back through the ornaments that I’ve collected over the years: ornaments representing memories from travels, seasons of life, and other special moments, all of which seem to have the ability to freeze time. I look at my ballerina ornament, in her purple leotard and pink ballet slippers, and am immediately transported back to my childhood bedroom of the same colors, where I used to hang tinsel from my bedposts and windows each Christmas. Out of the variations of crocheted and lace ornaments, I’m drawn to the lace nativity ornament that Jody and I bought in Italy almost six years ago. I can still feel the heat of the sun that beat down on us as we shopped before our final tour dinner with new friends. Then there are all of the heart ornaments that we have collected each Christmas since our engagement, serving as a small symbol of what that year held. And unsurprisingly, one of my favorite additions to the tree has been the ornament I got last year to commemorate Emerson’s first Christmas. All of that to say, I cherish each of the special memories that I hang on my tree each December.

When I first participated in an ornament swap, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I lvoed the idea of receiving snail mail because, at the time, the only mail I really got was ads and coupons. Now that I’ve been in swaps year after year, I look forward to choosing which ornament to send my swap partners and imagine it hanging on their own tree.

I’m excited to announce my fourth (!!) annual ornament swap. I’d love for merry mail to reach as many mailboxes as possible, so I hope you’ll join in the fun this year!

How it works:

1. By Wednesday, December 6th: Complete the Ornament Swap Sign-Up form with your basic contact information for swapping purposes.
2. By Friday, December 8th: I will email the names and addresses of up to three people who will be your swap partners.
3. By Monday, December 11th: Drop your ornaments in the mail. Of course, the sooner you mail them, the sooner your partners will receive a little holiday magic in their mailbox!

Please feel free to invite any holiday-loving family or friends to join us this year as well! Be sure to tag me when you start sending and receiving ornaments. I hope this will bring a little Christmas cheer to your mailbox and trees! Happy Swapping!

P.S. Here’s the Ornament Swap Sign Up Form!