We have done many different things over the years to try to keep the true meaning of Christmas the focus in our home. We even went two years of only celebrating Hanukkah to try to get the commercialization and ungodly rituals out of our celebrations. Last year we went back to celebrating a traditional Christmas and it was so nice! But I still felt like there was more I could do to keep our hearts set on Christ during this season. I learned about the Jesse Tree when Stephanie mentioned it on her blog last year, and I decided that we would implement it the following Christmas. We have never done a Jesse Tree before so we are very excited about this new tradition!
There are alot of options to choose from, and I really wanted to do something extra special without spending a lot of money. I found this site that has free devotions for the Advent season so I decided to use the symbols that go with the devotions and embroider them into ornaments. I love red work, so I did the embroidery in red, cut them into circles and stitched the circles together adding a twine hanger and we are all set to go!
I found a little 2ft. tree at Target for $7.99, some lights we weren’t using, an angel ornament that fit just right, and an unused tree skirt with our other decorations.
I used fabric and floss that I had in my stash, and then I found this box stored away that reminds me of a treausre chest- perfect for storing our ornaments!
This little project that has so much meaning cost under $10! I am looking forward to making this a new tradition in our family for years to come. I also plan on having my girls make their own sets of ornaments to set aside for the day when they have their own families.
Have you ever done a Jesse tree before? How do you keep the meaning of the season in focus for your family? I’d love to hear it!
This post is linked to: Exemplify Online and Frugal Fridays
{ 5 comments }
I must admit that until I found your blog I hadn’t heard of the Jesse tree. But I love it. And I just know that my girls will love it next Christmas. Thank you for telling us about this. June
June @ Christmas embroidery designs´s last blog: DoFollow, Top Commenter, CommentLuv and KeywordLuv enabled
I’m goign to have to check out the Jesse tree. I admit that I have only heard of it, but would love to know more about it.
Have a great week!
Sherry
Sherry´s last blog: Menu Plan Monday – December 7-14
Stephanie Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
That was me last year and this year I decided to give a try. I don’t know why I never heard of it before, but thank goodness for the internet
I did a jesse tree with my high school girls group this year. What a wonderful way to anticipate the birth of Jesus! I loved it. Thanks for sharing this tradition. Blessings.
Stephanie Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Did the girls like it?
Tracy Reply:
December 14th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
They loved it, and learned so much. It was a great refresher for me, as well. Blessings.
Tracy´s last blog: Reducing The DIstance At Christmas
I’ve been researching the Jesse Tree and I think it’s wonderful!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us–I just might have to do it!
Joye @ The Joyeful Journey´s last blog: a good yarn
Stephanie Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
We are having a lot of fun with it! It’s like a great over view of the Bible in a month!
I just learned of the Jesse Tree this year, and we are doing it as well! I blogged about it last week: http://alison.blogsome.com/2009/11/27/merry-christmas/ We also do some other fun stuff to remember Christ in Christmas as well.
Enjoy your tree!
Stephanie Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Thank you for sharing what you are doing! I can’t wait to go see it!
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