Christmas Nostalgia

Lots of Christmas trees are decorated beautifully, done up in a theme, color-coordinated and practically perfect. I don't want a tree like that. Ours is covered in handmade ornaments the kids have brought home through the years (and a possibly a few from our own childhood). we have ornaments that commemorated something that happened that year. Or contain photos from events--like the one I made this year that has a picture of us driving a covered wagon from our trip over the summer. 
Is our tree perfect? Definitely not. The kids put all the ornaments on and there are definite spaces where more ornaments cluster together than others. The tree itself is twenty-one years old and losing needles like crazy--plus a few branches. And I don't think I got the lights hung evenly.
But you know? It's okay. Because it has nostalgia.

My tree has two or three strands of bubble lights. Do you know what those are? I took a picture so you could see one. My grandparents always had strands of them on their tree too. So, when I grew up, I knew I wanted some of my own. The little globes warm up the liquid in the part that sticks out until it bubbles like a lava lamp. I'm not sure why I love them so much, but I do. They're just fun.
I also have a small Christmas village. My grandma always had one.
I have a snowman she made a long time ago.
A garland of paper light-shapes strung on rickrack I made in college.
​A gorgeous Santa from a dear friend who passed away several years back.
And each year when I pull those items out, it brings up the memories I made with the people associated with them. It can be bittersweet if it's a person we've lost. Or very sweet if it's a person we still have but haven't talked to in a while.
This is a time of year when the nostalgia is high. We remember Christmases past (without the help of Scrooge's ghost) and soak up the joy of Christmas present, making more memories for Christmas future. We devour foods that we ALWAYS ate (peanut butter balls and divinity anyone?). It's wonderful.
​What's something you prefer to have around at Christmastime to bring up your nostalgia? Any traditions you carry on from generations past?