Every year my son Nick and I eagerly anticipate our annual tradition – visiting our local Christmas Market. 

For us, this isn’t just a shopping trip – it’s an adventure filled with the spirit of Christmas, a quest for the perfect tree, unique ornaments, and the fun of organizing these treasures at home.

The Hunt for the Perfect Christmas Tree

Our journey at the Christmas Market always begins with the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. This year we also brought Nick’s friend along with us for this occasion. 

As we wander through rows of fresh, green trees, each one seems to call to us to take a look and bring it to our home.

Selecting the right tree is an art for us – we’re all about finding one that fits our living space and reflects our family’s personality. 

Here are our insider tips for picking the best tree:

• Size and Shape Matter: We measure our space before heading out to ensure the tree we choose will be a perfect fit.
• Type of Tree: We tend to gravitate towards varieties like Fraser Fir or Douglas Fir, known for their longevity and pleasant scent.
• Needle Test: Gently tugging on the branches helps us check the freshness and health of the tree.
• Check for Vibrancy: A healthy tree should have a vibrant green color without any brown patches.

Discovering Unique Ornaments

After securing our tree, we get started on the delightful task of finding the perfect ornaments. Every year, the local market surprises us with its array of handcrafted, unique ornaments that add a personal touch to our Christmas decor.

Here’s how we make our selections special:

• Handmade is Heartfelt: We’re drawn to ornaments that are handcrafted, adding a personal touch to our tree.
• Choosing a Theme: Sometimes we decide on a theme or color scheme, like ‘winter wonderland’, to guide our selections.
• Meaningful Memories: We look for ornaments that symbolize special memories or milestones from the year.
• Consider Durability: It’s important to think about how well the ornaments will last and how they’ll be stored.

Insider tip: Reduce, reuse, recycle. For our Thanksgiving dinner, I made these cute ornaments with everyone’s baby pictures instead of name tags. Everyone that attended was invited to take theirs home – but what will I do with ours? I’m going to print my family’s photos, including our puppies and hang them on our tree! 

I’m a huge advocate for sustainability and this is a super simple way to reuse decor in a meaningful way. Check out our Thanksgiving post to see how our dinner turned out. 

Organizing Christmas Ornaments: A Fun Family Activity

Once home, the real fun begins (at least for me!) – organizing and decorating. Over the years, my son and I have developed a system to sort and store our ornaments, making this process as enjoyable as the market visit itself. 

Here are some of our go-to strategies to store holiday decor:

• Sort by Type: We categorize ornaments by type, size, and color for a smoother decorating process.
• Invest in Storage: Good storage solutions are key to keeping ornaments safe and organized.
• Make it a Family Affair: Decorating becomes a special event where each of us places our favorite pieces on the tree.
• Get Creative: We also think of unique ways to display some ornaments around the house for an extra festive touch.

This tradition of visiting the Christmas Market isn’t just about preparing for the holiday; it’s about creating memories and soaking in the festive atmosphere. It’s a reminder of the warmth and love that defines this season.

Join Our Festive Community!

Are you also a fan of Christmas Markets and the joy they bring? We’d love to hear about your experiences and traditions! 

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