They started life as basic glass balls - Christmas decorations

Sunset, Dec, 1988

"Remember me?" the old friends seem to ask as you lift them out of their cardboard homes. Getting out the Christmas tree ornaments is sure to inspire holiday spirit. But certain ones bring back special memories of Christmases past-the ones you and your family made together.

The easy-to-make ornaments you see here all started with basic glass balls. You create animal characters, faces, planets, space ships, or whatever else your imagination can concoct by gluing on smaller ornaments and bits of paper, or painting on details. These ornaments don't take long to produce, but they'll last through many holiday seasons.

For ornaments like ours, start with globes that measure about 2-1/4 inches in diameter; you could also use larger ones. Purchase a supply of the smallest balls you can find; they make good noses and ears and add contrasting color to the main ball. Also assemble other supplies that might make colorful additions: paper, yarn, ribbons, tinsel, synthetic fur, a