Decorating the Verlo house at Christmas is definitely a big part of making the house a home.  These are a few of the decorations that hold special meaning and bring a smile to our faces each year.

Mike’s parents gave us a Hallmark “New Home” ornament the year we moved into the house, and was on our first teeny tiny artificial tree. I kept the box, and put it away carefully every year because its so sweet and special to us. – Sara

These next photos show a few of the ornaments we’ve picked up on vacations over the past couple of years.  We’ve decided that instead of buying knickknacks, we’d rather buy Christmas ornaments on trips.  This way, we can reminisce each year about the journeys we’ve taken together as we decorate the tree.  So far, we have ornaments from trips to Florida and Texas. -Mike

I’m not sure how the story goes, but I was told once that a birds nest in a Christmas tree was good luck (or maybe it was NOT having a nest was bad luck?). Whatever the superstition was, this little artificial nest and bird also has three little eggs, and I just nestle it in at the back – so it doesn’t occlude the lights. – Sara

My favorite ornament on the tree is one that my parents made and gifted to me a few years ago. It started as a joke, but it’s something that makes me smile. It’s made out of the hood ornament from the 1987 GMC Suburban I drove in high school.  I fixed up the truck with dad, which included painting it black and buying new chrome trim.  This hood ornament was the finishing touch on the vehicle, I had to special order direct form GM and spent $120 on it.  My parents secretly replaced it with the old one before it was traded in. – Mike

These wooden reindeer were made by my Grandpa George, and I think they’re older than me, because i remember them even in my earliest Christmas memories. They both assemble into four parts and sit precariously on their angled legs. I can remember being a kid and thinking it was so funny to put the big legs and antlers on the little body, and vice versa. The googly eyes also add a touch of whimsy that’s laughable. – Sara

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!