Once upon a time, I was a Girl Scout.

It was, oh, 1984 or 1985 when the troop I belonged to made these gift ornaments.

This particular one was made by me for my parent’s Christmas tree.

So yeah, this little guy is close to 30 years old.

Many years later, when I had my own family, my mom let me take ornaments that were special to me for our tree and it became part of my family’s collection.

This little gift has always been extra special, not just because I made it when I was a child, but because I remember very clearly understanding what the poem meant.

Giving a handmade, heartfelt gift was a very potent and powerful thing because it was something I could do, a gift I could give without spending money or being able to drive or having a job or any of those other “grown up” things. This has remained so for me during my entire life.

The love inside that tiny parcel is absolutely and completely real.

Want to make your own very special gift ornament? Wrap up a tiny parcel and include this poem:

This is a very special gift
That you can never see.
The reason it’s so special is
It’s just for you from me.

Whenever you are lonely,
Or even feeling blue,
You only have to hold this gift
And know I think of you.

You never can unwrap it.
Please leave the ribbon tied.
Just hold the box close to your heart.
It’s filled with love inside.
~Author Unknown

Stop back by every day between now and Christmas as I share crafts and ornaments that are special to me and my family.

Do you have special ornaments or decorations that bring back memories for you? I’d love to see: feel free to leave photo and blog links in comments!

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