Christmas is only a week from today!

Last year, Stuart and I skipped traditional Christmas. We packed our bags and jetted off to the island of Maui for a tropical Christmas. Because we knew we would not be around for Christmas, we also skipped putting up a tree last year. So this year, I made sure that we got our tree up early enough for maximum enjoyment.

You see, the Christmas tree is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. There is no wrong way on how to decorate a tree. You can make it as simple or as tricked out as you like. It's about what speaks to you and works for your budget and personal preferences. For us, our Christmas tree is a collection of stories; the ornaments are pockets of memories and representation of special moments from our adventures and experiences. Because of our wandering ways, the landscape of stories that is our tree keeps changing every year. And we would not have it any other way. 

I started collecting Christmas ornaments from my travels on my very first trip to Europe in 2011. I was on a tour around Iceland's Golden Circle with my cousin when I spotted this delicate Christmas ornament plated in 24-karat gold with laser cut representations of some of Iceland's key points of interests. Then the idea hit me. Instead of picking up random I ❤️(Insert Name of Place Here)  trinkets, I will buy Christmas ornaments that best represent the places that I have visited! So there you have it ... the story of how I began collecting Christmas ornaments from my travels.

I had been especially looking forward to putting up this year's new additions to the collection.From Canada to Poland, here are this year's new additions.

This totem-like ornament that I picked up in Victoria, British Columbia will always remind me of the very first trip that my sisters and I went on as grownups. The 4 adorable characters on this totem pole could be representations of us or our spirit animals. We're just not sure who's who. Your playful suggestions are welcome. :)

On the same sister's trip, I picked up this ornament at the Butchart Gardens' gift shop. My sisters had never been there before, and we had a lovely time together. Stuart and I came here while on our quick honeymoon in Victoria 10 years ago. I figured that this place deserves its own memory marker.

This Delft blue ceramic ornament in the form of the iconic wooden shoes painted with a windmill scenery is as close to a perfect representation of Holland there is. Maybe a Dutch man or woman on a bicycle wearing wooden shoes eating a Stroopwafel? If that ornament exists, do let me know. 

I love the story and memories that these 4 colorful birds perched on our tree represent. We drove from Berlin to Nuremberg instead of taking the train because Stuart really wanted to visit the small town of Lauscha. Nestled in a small valley sidling up against the Thuringian forest, this little town is known for its glassblowing, especially for Christmas tree ornaments and holiday decor. Lauscha is known to be the birthplace of the Christmas bauble. We visited the town's glass museum, where we found so much incredible glasswork. But what was waiting for us in the basement level is the year-round Christmas shop. I was so overwhelmed by all the beautiful Christmas decor, but as soon as I saw their extensive collection of Christmas vogels, I knew I wanted them all. After much deliberation and considering I don't have a lot space left in my carry-on, I narrowed it down to these 4. I'm very proud that not a single one was damaged or even lost a feather during transport!

Finally, this vibrant blue blown glass bubble ornament came all the way from Krakow, Poland. I picked it up from one of the vendors selling all kinds of souvenirs inside the  Cloth Hall, which is the main feature of Krakow's main market square. The illustration on the ornament is of Wawel Cathedral, where Karol Wojtyla was the archbishop before becoming Pope John Paul II. Looking at this ornament brings wonderful memories of walking around Krakow's Old Town and Kazimierz district.

Stuart summed it up pretty well after the last ornament was placed on the tree. He said, "I love our tree ... It's very US."

What are your  holiday plans? Are you traveling to be with your loved ones? Or are they traveling to be with you? At any rate, I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and keeping warm.