Last weekend we had Clayton's three brothers and their wives all over for an evening of ornament making. This year has involved more handmade goodness than ever and it just makes for such a festive, merry atmosphere. There's something about creating Christmas by hand that gives it so much more meaning and helps to remind you of what it's all about.
Clay reminded me today that the Savior was a carpenter, and commented how it was appropriate that we should be making things with our own two hands when we reflect on his life. Certainly ornament-making is a bit more frivolous, but it seems to hold truer to the spirit of Christmas than mere consumption and has definitely helped me stay a little more centered.
We made figures out of Sculpey clay, salt dough snow flakes, popcorn chains, little felt elves and one couple even started a tradition of making an ornament that looks like the other one- funny and sweet.
It's so great having family close enough to start the holiday festivities well before the 25th. Though we now have a nicely decorated tree, the process of gathering and creating together was even more enjoyable.
