Tag: Heirlooms

Sitting on this shelf, this pretty little elf.

With her inquisitive stare, bright eyes, and pouty smile, this sweet little elf, dressed all in red, has always been one of my favorite heirlooms. This elf on the shelf beauty was a doll my Mama received one year for Christmas when she was five years old. She wasn’t just any doll—this elf on the shelf was a special Christmas gift my mama received when she was just five years old

Mama often spoke of how magical Christmas was in her childhood home. Each year, the family would venture out to find the perfect tree, bringing it home to decorate with care. When I was a child, I vividly remember Mama hanging ornaments she had lovingly saved from her own youth. The Christmas of 1939 was during the Great Depression, and times were tough. Grandpa worked long hours on the ranch, while Grandma cleaned houses to help make ends meet. Despite the challenges, Grandma always managed to make Christmas special. Each year, the children—my mom and my aunt—would receive one “big” gift and a stocking filled with little treasures.

That year, Grandma bought Mama a secondhand doll. It wasn’t extravagant, but Mama cherished it deeply. Every Christmas afterward, she would lovingly place that little elf on display, a symbol of resilience and joy during hard times.

Now, in my own home, this cherished heirloom has found a special place of honor, perched safely on her little shelf—a reminder of family, tradition, and the enduring magic of Christmas.