I have 4 kids, now all in their teens and twenties, and every year I make or get each of them an ornament (or occasionally a nutcracker) for Christmas that somehow represent them and the year; something they like, a new hobby, achievement, milestone, or family memory. Each of them has their own ornament box and every year each one puts up and takes down their own ornaments. My hope is that in years to come when these are put on their own tree they will have special memories and stories to tell their kids.

I too have ornaments that are hand crafted by my great aunt,  from college roommates, and ones that represent other special memories or people and they still go on my tree.