My wife has a bunch of ornaments from long deceased relatives and her childhood. Sadly our kids don't seem to have any desire to give a s@#& about them and every year complain we have so many. I just hope that they survive long enough for the kids to realize the history and appreciate them.
We have a few cases of real ornaments made in Germany. All hand made/'decorated. I haven't dug them our for several years now because of the cats. But I must admit, the cats haven't touched the tree. Not once. My plan is to pass those on to my daughters whom I know love them and would take care of them.
It really is sad but we hear more and more about people not having interest in old things and passing things on from generation to generation. My wife keeps tearing herself apart wanting to pass some things along but not really sure who to pass them on to because she has done some of this in the past and stuff gets thrown out. That really is super sad.
Part of the problem is our society is more mobile and living in spaces much smaller so storage and moving things become a problem.
We passed a bunch of old ornaments to the kids, and it's nice to see them on their trees when we visit for Christmas. There's a small fake tree in the attic if we choose to set it up. I've also cut down a small Spruce a couple times, cut off the top 3' or so, then cut off the branches on the "bad side". Attached it to the wall with some small Pex clamps and put presents underneath for a few days. Last couple years, we've used a set of string lights tacked up across the built-in shelving in the shape of a tree.
We have a fibre optic tree that looks very plain until you turn on the lights. I hang all my glass and sparkly ornaments on it so they glitter. edit: I have a couple strings of bubble lights that I would like to make a display of. They work so much better when they are upright.
We can't be throwing to much stuff away these days. You see so many cars parked out side big garage doors and when those doors are open you see STUFF stacked to the ceilings. seems there a whole bunch of storage units arounf and more being built ever year too. Al
I surely wish I could find some of the old bubble lights. They do sell some now but only a string of 6 or so and want too much for 6 plastic lights.
I have regular size bubble lights and mini bubble lights. Something I have been hoarding and waiting for a chance to display since we stopped the old style Christmas lights..
I'm sorry to hear some of the old ornaments/other itmes here are not treasured. Personally I bought an enameled small sauce pan and fry pan that doubles as the sauce pan lid off Ebay because it reminded me of my grandparents, and I am not the ONLY ONE does this. If any of you are interested I can assist in finding your treasures a new home where they will be appreciated at no cost for you Once bought, put it in the mail to the buyer (they pay shipping), maybe add a nice note of the history and these treasures will live on via the buyer.
Here's my bell ornament from my Grandma (b 1907) (yes, her name was Angelina, I gave her the lil snowman sometime during 1980's). I'm grateful these two were sent my way.