My older brother does that too - he just uses white lights and tinsel and then those colored balls that all look the same - so, like your mom, it looks all fashionable or classy or whatever. My mom was laughing about how disorganized his tree will become once his kids start making school projects for the tree.

My mom used to have so many ornaments when we lived together (when I was like 20) that if I wanted any of my own ornaments I had to hang them in my room also. I got a mini table-top tree and just hung my favorites in there.

Yes, PICTURES!! I love holiday pictures.