There are two common ways to decorate a Christmas tree: using ornaments in the same style or mixing different styles. Our family started with high-quality Soviet ornaments passed down through generations. Each one had a history because someone long ago had chosen it for our home. Our tree looked beautiful and traditional, but over time, some ornaments broke. My mother asked an important question: if ornaments don’t last forever, how do we keep the memories they hold? We decided to replace broken ones with new ornaments that had meaning. Each year, we pick one that represents something important in our family’s life. This tradition makes our tree unique and gives us a chance to reflect on the past year. Some ornaments remind us of happy moments, while others represent challenges we’ve overcome together. One of the most meaningful ornaments on our tree is a Soviet-era figurine of a boy holding a machine gun. It wasn’t chosen as a new addition but kept for a reason. It represents the war happening right now—the reason our family had to leave our country. Among the bright and festive decorations, it stands out as a reminder of everything we lost and what we’ve been through. It’s not just an ornament; it’s a piece of our story and a symbol of resilience. “Every ornament tells a story, every light a memory.”

– Luka Tseplyaev

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