Make Christmas memories in your first home

A new marriage or a new house, your first child — and suddenly it’s time to start creating your personal Christmas memories.

Of course, after the next 20 Christmases, you’ll have gathered lots of memorable ornaments. By then unpacking the boxes of carefully wrapped treasures will bring a rush of happy remembrances. A kindergarten ornament of colorful chenille stems stuck helter-skelter in a Styrofoam ball or a paper mache angel.

What to do now? Start with some good lighting for your tree. Ornaments change throughout the years, but lighting endures.

Next: Be creative. Don’t blow your budget on trendy ornaments. Try popcorn strands, paper chains, and even flour-paste cookie cutter ornaments. Spray pinecones with gold and glitter.
If you have a stash of old Christmas cards, a great way to reuse them is for decorations. Cut out the pictures, or hang the cards in tact.

Spend a day outdoors gathering pieces of nature to use in wreaths and for table decor. Hang a fallen tree branch over the table.

When you do buy, remember that even cheap bulbs look great when the tree lights turn on.