An item that represents my family’s culture is our Christmas tree and the ornaments we decorate with. This is such an important symbol of our memories. Every year we go out and pick a Christmas tree. We have gone to the same farm for the last five years. When we decorate, we are not trying to make an aesthetic masterpiece, we are trying to tell a story. The ornaments are from before I was born to now. Each year, there is at least one new ornament. Our old renter sends us White House ornaments from North Carolina every year. We have every one since they have been made. Throughout elementary school, we have our weird, horribly made ornaments that fall apart a little more each year. My mom and dad have also collected ornaments from their travels. In our rooms, we have small trees that I hope to one day pass on the ornaments and traditions of decorating it to my kids. Because Christmas is a holiday of love and family, it means the most to my family.  My mom is a second-generation American and the first in her family to go to college. Her family immigrated from England. On my dad’s side, my great-great-grandmother, Sophie, immigrated from Lithuania with her family. They lived in Brockton and were poor.  Her father worked a lot so that in their stockings, the kids would get oranges and things he grabbed from the weddings where he worked. Sophie’s father was a Baron in Lithuania when they were oppressed by Russia. He gave up all of his riches and land to move to America for freedom. 

– SC

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more