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Rain on a Tin Roof

DIY and Home Decor Blog. Fly Your Freak Flag.

You are here: Home >> Holidays and Seasonal >> 7 Unusual but Meaningful Ornaments You Have Around the House

December 1, 2014 By Jenna 24 Comments

7 Unusual but Meaningful Ornaments You Have Around the House

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Unique Christmas Ornaments

Before you go buying all those color coordinated glass ornaments this year, first take a look at these unique Christmas ornaments! The best part? You’ve already got them in your house! These may seem like weird ornaments to some, but they’ll be special to you.

If you were around here last year, you may remember my Christmas tree is not what many would consider a “pretty” tree.

I don’t color coordinate.

I don’t have a whole lot of beautifully detailed ornaments.

There aren’t even many breakable ones on there.

But it is filled with meaningful ornaments – some that aren’t even supposed to be ornaments.

And many are unusual.

But so am I.

Unique Christmas Ornaments

Today, I’m going to chat about some of our meaningful, but also unusual Christmas ornaments. The great thing about these, besides them being sentimental of course, is that you’ll only have to go as far as your own home for them.

Special Christmas Ornaments

1. Baby Shoes

Special Christmas Ornaments

I’m not one to get the kid’s shoes bronzed. I’ve never really been a fan of that. However, those very first Nikes of hers I will keep forever. Her first pair grace our tree (complete with dirt) every year.

2. Sentimental Family Heirlooms(?)

Unusual Christmas Ornaments

Ok, so glasses aren’t technically considered an heirloom. However, these were my Grannie’s glasses that were in her beloved Cadillac Sedan Deville. They usually stay in a tray in my office so I can look at them and smile every once in a while, but during Christmas I like to put them on the tree so everyone can enjoy them.

3. Keys

Weird Ornaments

Speaking of that Cadillac, there’s the key that opened its door. Us southerners tend to get attached to vehicles very easily. We can usually tell you exactly what make and model we were driving when we learned to drive a stick shift (1989 Chevrolet Cheyenne Long Bed Truck), caused our grandfather to beat on the dash because he thought we were going to run off the mountain (1994 Dodge Dakota), got pulled over for the first time (1989 Cadillac Sedan Deville), and ran into the ditch and couldn’t get out (2003 Dodge Ram 1500).

P.S. – I think a special key and tag like this would make a great gift!

4. Special Toys

Unique Ornaments

These keys have been around for as long as I can remember. I played with them at my grandparent’s house as a kid and my dad and uncle did too.

Weird Christmas Tree Ornaments

Anyone else remember the snap bead necklaces? When I was a little girl, my dad and I would go and buy my great-grandfather his groceries every week. He would usually give me a dollar to two to get something, and I always opted for these bead necklaces.

5. Cake Toppers

Unique Christmas Tree Ornaments

Fun Fact: Mine and Grunt Labor’s cake topper was what you see above – a Barbie and GIJOE figurine. Instead of them staying in a box all year long, they are on the tree. I’m sure you could take a normal cake topper too and nestle it into the Christmas tree. Heck, you could even make it your tree topper!

6. Small Stuffed Animals

Special Christmas Tree Ornaments

It just occurred to me that this probably falls under toys. Whatevs. When I was a little girl, my grannie would put stuffed animals on the Christmas tree for me. These are two of the ones she put on the tree for me and I still put them on my tree every year. My daughter loves these animal ornaments.

7. PEZ Dispensers

Unique Christmas Tree Ornaments

These aren’t quite as meaningful as the rest – besides the fact that I just love Batman – but they are pretty fun. At a yard sale a few months back, I found a box full of PEZ dispensers for a quarter each. I snagged this Batman one and a few other favorite characters that are gracing my Christmas tree. And really – who doesn’t just love PEZ candy? It kind of takes you back to your childhood, right?

 What are your favorite unique ornaments on your Christmas tree?

Looking for more unique ways to decorate for the season?

DIY Stocking Holders – not your average stocking holders. 😉

Vintage Storybook Garland – my family adores this Christmas tree garland featuring pages from holiday storybooks. It’s so easy to make too!

How to Make an Elf Hat Tree Topper – a super fun craft for kiddos!

Want to remember these ornament ideas for later? Just pin the image below!

Unusual Christmas Tree Ornaments

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Filed Under: Holidays and Seasonal Tagged With: christmas tree, ornaments

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Comments

  1. Rachel says

    December 1, 2014 at 10:46 am

    Those teeny little Nikes are just too much. I die.
    We have a few unusual items on our tree, too….but I love having so many special memories on display! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 1, 2014 at 5:09 pm

      I know – I just love sweet little baby shoes! Thanks, Rachel!

      Reply
  2. Sarah @ An Inviting Home says

    December 1, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Love this! So fun to read through each thing and what it means to you…I especially love your Grannie’s glasses. 🙂

    ~Sarah

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 1, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      Thanks, Sarah! Those are one of my favorites too!

      Reply
  3. Lindsay Eidahl says

    December 1, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Cute! I love seeing everyone’s decorations! It is so much fun to see their personalities through their trees and decor! You are a lot of fun, I can tell! 😉

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 1, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      I’m the same way, Lindsay – I love seeing all the ornaments – they say so much about a person!

      Reply
  4. chris aka monkey says

    December 1, 2014 at 2:49 pm

    i pinned this so others could know why i love you so much ha ha we be freaks xx

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 1, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      hahahaha!! Freaks unite!

      Reply
  5. Kylie Rose says

    December 1, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    How precious are those baby nikes! I LOVE how non traditional and special your tree is! I think it’s perfectly freaky. 🙂

    xo,
    Kylie

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 1, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      Thanks, Kylie!

      Reply
  6. cassie says

    December 1, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    these are so fun and unique for sure!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 2, 2014 at 7:45 am

      Thanks, Cassie!

      Reply
  7. michelle@decorandthedog says

    December 1, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    Too funny! Grannie’s glasses may be my favorite!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 2, 2014 at 7:46 am

      Thanks, Michelle! Those are one of my favorites too!

      Reply
  8. Aniko@PlaceOfMyTaste says

    December 1, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    Super non traditional, girl! I love it! I am sure I could find many thing laying around here too:-)

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 2, 2014 at 7:46 am

      Thanks, Aniko!

      Reply
  9. Andrea @ life love larson says

    December 2, 2014 at 8:50 am

    Love, love this list! I also don’t make a “gorgeous” tree, but it’s a hodgepodge of different ornaments throughout the years. I love this list of memories for the tree!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 2, 2014 at 12:08 pm

      Thanks, Andrea!

      Reply
  10. JP says

    December 3, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    When I travel, I look for key chains that can be ornaments. I love seeing my tiny metal double-decker bus from London on the tree!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 4, 2014 at 11:27 am

      That is a genius idea, JP!!! I have never thought of buying keychains for ornaments, but it makes total sense! I’m going to be putting that one into play! Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Katie @ Upcycled Treasures says

    December 5, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    I love how unique and sentimental your tree is! It makes me want to walk around my house to see what special items I can find to put on ours. What a fantastic tradition!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 5, 2014 at 4:46 pm

      Thanks, Katie! I am totally a sentimental person – can’t even deny it for a second!

      Reply
  12. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says

    December 10, 2014 at 11:08 pm

    This is such a FUN idea, Jenna! I absolutely adore those glasses…and the baby shoe! I’m so glad to be a part of this tradition tour with you!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      December 12, 2014 at 7:38 am

      Thanks, Kristi!!

      Reply

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