A Traveler’s Christmas Tree

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Don’t forget to my Christmas gift giveaway picked with love.

Deadline is Christmas Eve at Midnight.

Hi It All Changes readers! A big thanks to Cynthia for opening her blog up to guest posts during this very busy month.

I’m Erin, a Washington, DC-based writer and editor who blogs at Travel Eat Repeat. My blog has followed me around the world to nearly two-dozen countries as I live by Andrew Zimmern’s maxim: ‘If it looks good, eat it!’ Working full-time in Washington, the adventures aren’t quite as often (although China is coming up in 2012!) but I love the DC-centric approach my blog has taken and hope you get the chance to check it out (I have an entire DC sightseeing series!).

Travelers know that they accumulate a lot of stuff. It’s easy to come home with an entire bag crammed with souvenirs and gifts. But what do you do with all of it?! For me, I follow a travel tradition started by my parents: rather than picking up tons of trinkets and toys during each trip, I buy a Christmas ornament.

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Each year as I decorate the Christmas tree – first at my parents’ houses and now in my own apartment – I remember the past trips I’ve taken as I pull out each ornament.

Backpacking in Australia and New Zealand? Here:

A year living in Seoul, South Korea? Right here:

A family trip last year to Treasure Island, Fla.? Yep, got that too:

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My tree may not be as organized and neat at those you see in magazines. There are no carefully coordinated red-and-gold baubles, no neatly-strung rows of popcorn balls and no piles of tinsel.

But… it’s me. My stories. My adventures. My history.