The Christmas Tradition That Means the Most to Me
Every family has that one Christmas tradition that becomes the heart of the season. For us, it isn’t the matching pyjamas or the mince pies left out for Santa, although I do love both of those too!
It’s our annual personalised photo Christmas ornament. Something simple, sentimental, and now completely irreplaceable.
Every year, without fail, I order a new acrylic photo ornament from Popsa, choosing one special photo of Lucas and Morgana from that December. It’s the moment I look forward to most, because it gives me a snapshot of exactly who they are at that point in time, their smiling faces, their size, their bond, their personalities.
One day, this collection will tell the story of their whole childhood.
How Our Ornament Tradition Started
Our tradition actually began long before our first order.
I’ve saved Christmas photos since Lucas’ very first Christmas in 2015. I didn’t know yet what I would use them for; I just knew I wanted to keep that magic somewhere.
In 2021, I finally turned those memories into something tangible by ordering our first Popsa photo ornaments. I ordered seven ornaments in my first order, one for each year from 2015. Each has a photo of Lucas from each December, and I added the year in the text at the bottom of the ornament to help keep track.
They instantly became my favourite decorations on the whole tree.
But 2021 was special for another reason…
Morgana’s First Christmas, And a New Chapter of the Tradition
2021 was also Morgana’s first Christmas, so choosing a photo of both of them together felt perfect. It was the beginning of a tradition within a tradition, the moment our keepsake collection grew from “Lucas through the years” to “Lucas and Morgana, Christmas after Christmas.”
And since then, every year has had:
- one perfect photo of them together. I am not talking about Instagram perfect, I am talking about perfect to show them as they are. Every time I look at the photo from 2024, I remember Morgana refusing to have a photo and me giving in. We walked back to the car, and as soon as we got there, she wanted to go back for the photo, but only if she didn’t need to smile! So, we did, and we have a photo of Lucas and me smiling and Morgana half smiling, and I love it. It shows their personalities, and I never want to forget those little moments.
- taken in December (I’m strict about this!)
- with the year added as text
- and printed on a Popsa photo ornament
Watching the collection grow year by year is like watching their childhood unfold in slow motion.
Why I Wait for a December Photo Every Year
I could use any photo from the year, but I don’t.
I wait for a proper December moment, sometimes a cosy one, sometimes a magical one.
This year (2025), I’m waiting to get a photo of them at the Christmas market in a couple of weeks.
Why December?
Because I love seeing:
- how much they’ve grown
- how their faces change
- how their bond grows stronger
- the way each year has its own personality
December gives me a true “yearly snapshot.”
It’s a real-time record of who they are that Christmas.
Our Popsa Acrylic Photo Ornaments: Why We Love Them
Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with Popsa’s acrylic ornaments for a few reasons:
They look beautiful on the tree
The polished acrylic catches the fairy lights so nicely that they actually glow.
They’re shatterproof
Crucial when you have little ones!
The print quality is amazing
Every tiny detail is crisp, even years later.
They come ready to hang
Each ornament arrives with a ribbon, so it goes straight on the tree.
They’re memories made tangible
Every time I hang them, I’m reminded of a different moment:
Lucas’ cheeky toddler grin…
Morgana’s first Christmas outfit…
Their singing at the Christmas market…
Each ornament holds a whole story.
A Tree Filled With Their Childhood, And Their Future
One day, years from now, Lucas and Morgana will grow up, move out, and start families of their own.
And I’ll still be adding ornaments to our tree.
Eventually, my Christmas tree will become:
- Lucas and Morgana as babies
- toddlers
- children
- teenagers
- adults
- and then… one day… them with their own little ones
A whole tree filled with memories.
A lifetime of Christmases captured in acrylic.
This is why I treasure this tradition so much.
It isn’t just décor, it’s the story of our family.
My Personal Ornament Tradition
- 2015 – Lucas’ first Christmas. His tiny Christmas shirt and bow tie were adorable. I took this photo in my grandparents’ farmhouse before Christmas lunch.
- 2016 – Lucas’ big blue eyes and wild curls. He wore a smart little shirt for Christmas lunch.
- 2017 – Lucas’ cheeky smile during a mini photo shoot at a Christmas tree farm.
- 2018 – Lucas’ Christmas nursery photo.
- 2019 – Our first Christmas in France. I took Lucas to the Bordeaux Christmas market and snapped this photo on the merry-go-round.
- 2020 – Lucas smiling in front of the Christmas tree wearing his Super Mario Christmas jumper.
- 2021 – Morgana’s first Christmas. I love how proud Lucas looks, gently cradling her head as they lay on a rug in the house we were renting at the time.
- 2022 – A giggly Morgana holding a Christmas snowball prop, with Lucas sitting beside her on the sledge during a Christmas photo shoot.
- 2023 – Both children wore matching navy Christmas outfits, and I had a navy dress too. We’d planned a mini photo shoot, but my car broke down, so instead I photographed them in front of the giant Santa sculpture in our village.
- 2024 – Taken at the school Christmas market. One of Lucas’ friend’s dads set up a mini studio in a classroom. Morgana refused at first, but changed her mind at the last minute, and it became one of my favourite photos.
How You Can Start This Tradition Too
If you love sentimental Christmas decorations, this is the easiest and most meaningful tradition to start.
Here’s how:
- Choose one photo every December
- Add the year as text
- Order your Popsa ornament
- Hang it in pride of place
- Repeat next year (and the year after… and forever)
In just a few years, you’ll have a timeline on your tree.
In a decade, you’ll have a treasure.
And one day, you’ll have a full tree of memories, just like the one I’m building for Lucas and Morgana.
FAQ About Popsa Photo Christmas Ornaments
How durable are Popsa’s acrylic ornaments?
They’re shatterproof, polished acrylic. They are ideal for families with kids and pets.
Can you add text or dates?
Yes! I always add the year so I can instantly see which Christmas each ornament represents. You could also add names or even the place you took the photo.
Do they last?
Ours from 2021 still look brand new, no fading, no scratches.
Are they affordable?
They are not cheap, but they’re budget-friendly compared to a lot of personalised gifts and make brilliant keepsakes. At the moment, they’re £15.73 at full price. I always order on Boxing Day when Popsa usually emails out a 50% discount code, which makes them incredibly good value for something that lasts a lifetime.
Do Popsa deliver outside the UK?
Yes, all of mine have been delivered in France. I didn’t even realise it was a UK company when I first ordered. They currently deliver to 50 countries.
Among all the Christmas traditions we’ve tried, this is the one I’ll continue for the rest of my life. Every year brings a new memory, a new ornament, and a new version of Lucas and Morgana to hang on our tree.
It’s a tradition filled with love, growth, and the kind of moments you never want to forget.
And that’s what Christmas should be.
If you’re ready to start your own tradition, you can find Popsa’s photo ornaments on their website. They’re simple to design and arrive beautifully finished. Use this link to get £20 off your first order of £35+.
