Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Santa Claus is Coming To Town

It is time to decorate for christmas - and the first thing I got out was my collection of Santas
Most of the Santas are on the tops of my 1898 Piano - they are perfect there.  Before we got the piano the Santas were on windowsills and where ever I could find space for them







There is no method to my collecting - if I like a Santa it usually comes home with me.  Many have been lovely gifts too.  Most are from thrift stores and yard sales
I like the tin rolly polly Santa a lot




Big and little Santas




A Russian Santa
He's making a list - he's checking it twice
And drinking cocoa.

And we mustn't forget Santa Paddington
This Santa was a gift from one of my favorite blogging friends
He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake
This Santa is a little tippy and made of ceramic - so he sits here on the side of the piano - propped up so he doesn't fall over


I cut out and painted the wooden Santa with the bundle of sticks on his back -many,many years ago 




Santas on the piano - sometimes at  night I hear them singing christmas carols - they can get to be quite a rowdy bunch
And then there are many Santas who are not on the piano - this old fashioned rocking Santa toy was a gift from my dear cousin Linda, in Oregon.  We are like little kids - we make Santa rock and sit and watch him with big grins on our faces.
And Santa teapots - tea for one with the rolly polly Santa
Tea for one - another Santa
I'm a little teapot short and stout - here is my handle - here is my spout.
A fabulously elegant Santa teapot - a gift from Don
Ho Ho Ho! "Merry" Englebreit Christmas to all!
We have Santa Ted - a cookie jar from when the kids were growing up.
And this Santa Reindeer will wish our neighbors Happy Holidays - he's just waiting to go out to the end of the deck and greet friends and family.
And here we have Sandra Claus (really it is Elmo - but he likes the hat with braids the best)  As you see, he's been to the nearby San Juan Islands for a ferry ride.
Grampa Bear Santa and his pet reindeer
Two little Santa door hangers - they came home with us from West Virginia when we went out there 9 years ago for Rusty and Jamie's wedding.  It was the first time I'd seen a Dollar Store.


Peace Sign Santa Salt and Pepper Shakers
Mr. And Mrs Santa Salt and Pepper Shakers - we've had these almost 50 years.
More Peace Sign Santas - I just can't resist them - they sit in the china cabinets at christmas time.

A pair of Santa Teddies on a music box
One of our favorite Santas - he is filled with Chex Party Mix - our son made this in second grade.  The teacher got those candle jars - the kind that used to be on every cafe table in the 70s - cleaned them up - and the kids  made Santa hats from felt, glued on cotton balls for beards and made the faces from googly eyes and felt features.  One day it will go to Rusty's house - but not just yet.
Even our bathrooms get to have Santas - these were all from the same thrift shop a few years ago


Happy Santas - one and all.

Do you have a collection?

I know here are more Santas - especially ornaments for the tree - but we don't have the tree decorated yet.  But soon.



20 comments:

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Wow! That's a lot of jolly santas - or is it a jolly lot of santas? Merry Christmas!

Kay said...

You have such a collection! I think I remember a few from last year, but there are a lot I don't remember. Our local Goodwill has a Christmas store that I'm sure you'd love. Lots and lots of Santas...and plenty of other holiday temptations, too. I brought home a few things. I'm trying to keep from going back.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a fun collection, JoAnn! I loved seeing the great variety of Santas who live with you. You really have some fun ones there. :-)

I collect ornaments, and Iove whimsical ones. The felt ones that have been out the last few years are right up my alley, and I have added to our collection happily.

Loved seeing this. I have missed you. Been recovering from an illness that was a booger bear.

Love,

Sheila

Julie Fukuda said...

Will the REAL Santa please step forward. There is this thing about collections, when someone knows you have a collection, they tend to add to it. I have an owl collection and even though I am not actively collecting fabric, that seems to be other' people's perception, causing astonishing growth.

JoKnows said...

Your Santas are awesome! I particularly love the folk art-style carved ones on the piano. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Bliss Tuesdays! Jo

Peggy said...

Oh, Jo, I do so love seeing all your collections come out with each season. This has to be one of the best. But where, oh where, do you keep them all?

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Ho Ho Ho, Jo! I especially like the Russian Santa, the Teddy Santas, the Sanda sitting with Rudolph, and the large, tall Minimalist Santa in back of Paddington with dots for eyes.
Am not a collector of anything, really. But really enjoy looking at other people's collections.
xo, m & jb

greenthumb said...

What an amazing collection of santa's your have.

Lorrie said...

Every year I'm amazed by your wonderfully vast collection of Santas. Have you counted them all? Your home must look like a Christmas wonderland.

J said...

I like seeing your collection every year! It's amazing how quickly it grows and how much it fills your house with holiday joy and color! The snack jar school made Santa would be my favorite too!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You have a wonderful collection of Santas...it's fun to have a nice variety! I love your S and P shakers and the cute reindeers, too. I would feel right at home at your house. I like so many of the same things! PLUS we could play with our dolls! heehee! Sweet hugs, Diane

Wildflowerhouse said...

I'm loving your collection of santas! I have quite a few that I have collected over the years. Also have teddy bears. My so is trying to get me to stop on the bears because I told him I'm leaving them all to him. Ha!

Montanagirl said...

That's a wonderful collection you have there! What fun to see it.

Candy S said...

That is a lot of Santas! They look fabulous displayed on the top of the piano - they look like they are at home. They must wait all year to get out of their packages and finally be able to sing Christmas carols with all of the other Santas. I gave up most of my Santas about twelve years ago when we moved to Florida. I miss them so..... lesson learned - don't give up the things you love when you downsize!

Arlene G said...

Thanks for visiting my blog today!! Love all your Santas but I think the Roly Poly one is my favorite. I am still looking for one to add to my collection this year.

joy said...

What a great collection, JoAnn, it must take you ages and ages to dust them all> Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, with love from the UK, Joy x x x

Carletta said...

You are way ahead of me in decorating. My will get done this weekend.
LOVE that little Santa and the reindeer! So sweet. I really do like your vintage ceramics ones - takes me back to my childhood.

Laura said...

Oh My Goodness! So many santas in your collection, they're great! That rocking santa is just the best, I've never seen one like it. I have a slight addiction to santa mugs myself! : )

Powell River Books said...

Wow, what a collection. I like the rolly polly round Santa teapot. - Margy

Lila Rostenberg said...

What a wonderful , and extensive collection of Santas!
I love the peace sign Santas, so cute and cheerful!