Christmas ornaments have always been a big deal in our house. Growing up, my mother gave each of us a special ornament every year so that when we grew up to be “big girls”, we’d have a tree full of ornaments for our own homes. Some of my favorites are a glue-and-sand-covered bear I made at the Pathfinder preschool, a lighthouse from a summer vacation to Cape Hatteras and a cross-stitched bear (brandishing knitting needles, of course!) that one of my college roommates designed just for me. Why not start a new tradition in your family?

These mini knits also make super cute embellishments for year-round packages, wine bottles and greeting cards.