Packing Up the Christmas Decorations

Today is a good day to take down the Christmas / Yule decorations, and un-decorate the Tree.

In the process I am coming across ornaments and other things that have stories connected with them.

This one, for instance...that Philip made.  There is no date on it. Maybe first grade?  He had a wonderful first-grade teacher who did many fun and creative things with the class.

Here is another hand-made ornament that looked very cool, was probably fun to make, and very pretty (I think!)  It was made from holiday potpourri that included red and green wood shavings (which might have been scented at one time) with some sparkly stuff, ribbon bits, etc.  Did this come from  Miss Jan at North Park Nursery School?  or from grade school (Newberry)?  or maybe it even came from the Rosary College (aka Dominican University) alumni Christmas party, which the kids loved to attend.  There was usually an activity of this sort.  Rosary offered a very good early childhood program, and their activities for small kids were great.  This may have come from one of those holiday parties.  alas I wish I could remember.  Even worse, I do not remember which child made it.  Does anyone want to step forward to help me out here?

This next one was made by a professional artist, Peggy Larson, whose son Ryan attended North Park Church Nursery School with Alek.  I can't recall under what conditions Peggy gave this to me....She sold her artwork in many places.  Her house turned into a delightful country Christmas boutique every winter.  Or perhaps she brought them to school as gifts...or maybe it was even at Ryan's birthday party (searching my memory to see if it took place right before Christmas, and did she offer them to guests as favors?)  my memory is the worst...