When you bring out the Christmas ornaments to decorate the tree each year, what do those ornaments represent? If you typically decorate with glass balls and icicle ornaments, it’s likely those ornaments don’t have much special meaning, if any. But if your tree is filled with handmade ornaments or ornaments that have been gifted to you, there’s probably a special memory attached to each one.

There’s a fun Christmas tradition you can start that ensures there’s a memory behind each and every ornament you hang on the tree. You probably bought baby’s first Christmas ornaments when each of your kids were born, right? How about continuing that tradition, year after year? There are so many different kinds of ornaments out there that you’re sure to find something to commemorate each year of your children’s lives.

When they’re toddlers, choose cute Christmas ornaments that relate to their favorite toys, or perhaps a personalized Christmas ornament that reflects they’re your little princess. Hobby ornaments and sports ornaments are perfect when they get a little older and start developing interests of their own. Did something special happen this year? Buy an ornament to commemorate it. Having the ornaments personalized with your child’s name and the year makes them all the more special.

The best part about this type of ornament collection is that you have a visual memory of each year as your child grows up. They can take it with them when they leave home to branch out on their own, or you can hang onto them as special memories. (Or, if you buy 2 of each ornament they’ll have one to take with them and you’ll have one to keep.) It’s fun to remember what prompted the purchase of each ornament as you hang them on the tree each year, and it’s a great way to remember all those years of “growing up.”