Joanna Gaines Reveals Her Mother-In-Law's Sweet Thanksgiving Tradition

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One of the many beautiful aspects of the festive season is getting to re-experience age-old holiday traditions with your family and friends, or even observe them by yourself. You probably have some rituals with your family that you've experienced since you can remember. Perhaps, as your family has grown and been reshaped over the years, more traditions—old and new—have come into the holiday picture. Recently, Joanna Gaines, leader of the Magnolia Network and the Fixer Upper multi-verse, revealed that her mother-in-law has a sweet Thanksgiving tradition of gifting everyone in the family a Christmas tree ornament to mark another year spent together.

This meaningful gesture is so simple, yet such a wonderful way to acknowledge the passing of time while leading up to something grand. Not only can ornaments be incredibly beautiful, but a tree filled with ornaments received from people you love is sure to hold added meaning.

And while we're definitely going to adopt the Gaines' family tradition of giving an annual ornament, Thanksgiving is not the only time these tree decorations make a great gift. (People who don't decorate a tree may choose to display theirs on a mantel, in a bowl as a centerpiece, or hanging on a beautiful ribbon in a window, maybe even year-round.)

Below is our list of occasions perfect for gifting a tree ornament, and some ideas if you decide to do so. The best part? Whoever you give the ornament to will think of you each year, every time they pull out the ornament to adorn their tree, and again when they put it away for safekeeping for another year. Just like, we're sure, Joanna Gaines is thankful for her mother-in-law, each time she sees her growing ornament collection.

For Christmas

Shocker, we know. These can be simple and small stocking stuffers or beautifully intricate main gifts—there's no wrong way to give them. When it comes to gifting tree ornaments, they don't even have to be Christmas themed. When I was younger, my great uncle and aunt lived in Washington, D.C., and every year he would give my family an official White House Christmas ornament. It was fun comparing the different designs over the years, choosing our favorites and arguing over who got to put up the one from 2003 with a moving rocking horse. Getting out those ornaments is something I always look forward to, every holiday.

For Weddings, Anniversaries, and Other Milestones

If you want to play the long game, you could start this ornament tradition the day the couple gets married. This gorgeous bride collection ornament set from Old World Christmas Store is a thoughtful wedding gift and can mark the start of your annual anniversary gift to the newlyweds. You could start even earlier, with a ring ornament when the pair gets engaged. And if they plan to have kids, baby's first Christmas may not be far behind.

For Hanukkah, Lunar New Year, or Other Winter Holidays

While ornaments are usually associated with Christmas, other faiths decorate for the winter holidays as well. Make sure everyone in your life is celebrated when it comes time to accessorize your home. For example, this beautiful blue and white dreidel ornament would be a lovely addition to any tree, or displayed next to a menorah on a mantel or table. And if you're looking ahead to 2024, the Year of the Dragon, consider this Lunar New Year ornament.

For Birthdays

Though any style of ornament you purchase for someone's birthday would be sweet, it's extra thoughtful to look for a design that has to do with something that happened in the past year. If they're turning 21, maybe get them an extra dirty martini ornament. If you took a trip to London together, pick a British phone booth. Or, if you want to keep it simple, a cute cupcake (or three) will do the trick!

For Valentine's Day

Along with your box of gourmet chocolates and your bundle of red roses, gift that special someone a beautiful, glass heart-shaped ornament. It's sure to last longer than the foods, and it can serve as a constant reminder that your love is everlasting.

One of the many beautiful aspects of the festive season is getting to re-experience age-old holiday traditions with your family and friends, or even observe them by yourself. You probably have some rituals with your family that you've experienced since you can remember. Perhaps, as your family has grown and been reshaped over the years, more traditions—old and new—have come into the holiday picture.

Recently, Joanna Gaines, leader of the Magnolia Network and the Fixer Upper multi-verse, revealed that her mother-in-law has a sweet Thanksgiving tradition of gifting everyone in the family a Christmas tree ornament to mark another year spent together. This meaningful gesture is so simple, yet such a wonderful way to acknowledge the passing of time while leading up to something grand.

Not only can ornaments be incredibly beautiful, but a tree filled with ornaments received from people you love is sure to hold added meaning. And while you can definitely adopt the Gaines' family tradition of giving an annual ornament, Thanksgiving is not the only time these tree decorations make a great gift. (People who don't decorate a tree may choose to display theirs on a mantel, in a bowl as a centerpiece, or hanging on a beautiful ribbon in a window, maybe even year-round.)

Below is a list of occasions perfect for gifting a tree ornament, and some ideas if you decide to do so. The best part? Whoever you give the ornament to will think of you each year, every time they pull out the ornament to adorn their tree, and again when they put it away for safekeeping for another year.

For Christmas

Shocker, I know. These can be simple and small stocking stuffers or beautifully intricate main gifts—there's no wrong way to give them. When it comes to gifting tree ornaments, they don't even have to be Christmas themed. When I was younger, my great uncle and aunt lived in Washington, D.C., and every year he would give my family an official White House Christmas ornament. It was fun comparing the different designs over the years, choosing our favorites and arguing over who got to put up the one from 2003 with a moving rocking horse. Getting out those ornaments is something I always look forward to, every holiday.

For Weddings, Anniversaries, and Other Milestones

If you want to play the long game, you could start this ornament tradition the day the couple gets married. This gorgeous bride collection ornament set from Old World Christmas Store is a thoughtful wedding gift and can mark the start of your annual anniversary gift to the newlyweds. You could start even earlier, with a ring ornament when the pair gets engaged. And if they plan to have kids, baby's first Christmas may not be far behind.

For Hanukkah, Lunar New Year, or Other Winter Holidays

While ornaments are usually associated with Christmas, other faiths decorate for the winter holidays as well. Make sure everyone in your life is celebrated when it comes time to accessorize your home. For example, Kurt S. Adler's beautiful blue and white dreidel ornament would be a lovely addition to any tree, or displayed next to a menorah on a mantel or table. And if you're looking ahead to 2024, the Year of the Dragon, consider this Lunar New Year ornament.

For Birthdays

Though any style of ornament you purchase for someone's birthday would be sweet, it's extra thoughtful to look for a design that has to do with something that happened in the past year. If they're turning 21, maybe get them an extra dirty martini ornament. If you took a trip to London together, pick a British phone booth. If your favorite thing to do together is binge old episodes of Friends, give Hallmark Keepsake's ornament honoring the show. Or, if you want to keep it simple, a cute cupcake (or three) will do the trick!

For Valentine's Day

Along with your box of gourmet chocolates and your bundle of red roses, gift that special someone a beautiful, Terrain's glass heart-shaped ornament. It's sure to last longer than the foods, and it can serve as a constant reminder that your love is everlasting.

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