The holidays are a time for families to come together over gifts, food, and special memories. For many, those memories extend to the decorations they use in their home.
Christmas tree providers Balsam Hill asked photographers around the world to share their most memorable decoration and explain why it's special to them. The submissions spanned six different continents, revealing the touching stories behind the most cherished holiday memories.
We've put together a collection of some of our favorites, but you can see the full project here.
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Tirana, Albania
"My aunt passed away years ago, so this ornament reminds me that she will always be with us each Christmas holiday. She loved building snowmen; it was her favorite thing to do. When I hang this decoration on the tree each year, it makes me feel warm inside knowing we have a special ornament just for her."— Angela
Birmingham, United Kingdom
"My two little sisters gifted me this special handmade star bunting ornament on Christmas Eve. They live in India, and I have not seen them since 2011 ... this gift made me realize that no matter how far apart we live, we will always be connected to one another just like this star bunting."— Gavin
Canterbury, United Kingdom
"This is a small seated porcelain bisque Santa which belonged to my late great-grandmother. I remember this decoration being locked in her ornament cabinet when I was a very small child ...The ornament now stands in my own cabinet, and I bring it out each holiday season and stand it on the bookshelf with other treasured mementos of Christmas past and present."— Lorraine
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