Every December, as families across America gather around their Christmas trees, one travel expert’s simple tradition continues to spark wanderlust and preserve precious memories from adventures around the globe.
Travel columnist Eileen Ogintz has discovered a remarkably effective way to keep family travel memories alive year-round: collecting Christmas ornaments from every destination visited with her three children. What started as a spontaneous purchase has evolved into a cherished family tradition that transforms their holiday decorating into an annual journey through their travel history.
“I can’t help but think of past trips when I look at our Christmas tree,” Ogintz explains, reflecting on years of adventures that have taken her family from the glaciers of Alaska to the beaches of Hawaii, from bustling Caribbean islands to the historic streets of London and Paris.
The tradition is beautifully simple yet profoundly meaningful. During each family trip, Ogintz purchases an ornament for each child, carefully inscribing their name and the year on every piece. Over time, these small tokens have created a stunning visual timeline of family adventures, representing memories from national parks, snow-capped ski resorts, and countless destinations in between.
The collection grew so extensive that the family faced a delightful dilemma: they needed progressively larger Christmas trees to accommodate all the travel ornaments alongside the handmade decorations their children created during their elementary school years. This expansion became a joyful problem, as each ornament represents not just a place visited, but quality time spent together exploring the world.
This travel ornament tradition offers several compelling benefits for families. First, it creates an affordable souvenir option that doesn’t break the travel budget. Unlike expensive keepsakes that might get lost or forgotten, Christmas ornaments are displayed prominently once a year, ensuring these travel memories remain visible and celebrated.
Second, the tradition builds anticipation for both travel and holiday celebrations. Children begin looking forward to selecting their special ornament during each trip, while the annual tree decorating becomes an opportunity to relive adventures and share stories about each destination.
For families considering adopting this tradition, the approach is refreshingly flexible. Ornaments can be purchased from local artisans, tourist shops, or even generic stores in each destination. The key lies not in the ornament’s cost or complexity, but in its ability to trigger memories of shared experiences and family bonding.
The tradition also serves as a powerful conversation starter during holiday gatherings. Visitors inevitably notice the diverse collection of ornaments, providing natural opportunities to share travel stories and inspire others to explore new destinations with their own families.
As the new year begins, many families are already planning their 2026 adventures. Whether heading to nearby national parks, distant international destinations, or simple weekend getaways, the travel ornament tradition offers a meaningful way to commemorate these experiences and ensure they remain part of family celebrations for years to come.
For parents seeking to instill a love of travel and cultural exploration in their children, this simple tradition demonstrates that some of the most valuable souvenirs aren’t the most expensive ones—they’re the ones that keep precious memories alive and bring families together season after season.
