One of the traditional Christmas foods in the U.S. are Christmas cookies and that is probably what helped start the traditional Christmas Cookie Jar. Filling up a special jar, set aside just for the holidays, was a family event in many homes. Metlox, McCoy and even California Original made some spectacular Christmas jars that are highly coveted today. Fitz & Floyd came along a few years later with their holiday designs and they have set the standard upon which all Holiday jars are judged. Highly detailed, rich colors, superb workmanship are all hallmarks of a Fitz & Floyd jar. You might not want or like every Holiday jar they do, but you have to admit -- they are some of the best!

Of course other companies make great Holiday jars and many of these will be on the "Wish List" for the Cookie Jar or Christmas Collector. Here are some of the cream of the crop for this Holiday season. This week will be Radko.

Most collectors don't realize just how many jars Radko has produced -- about 18 total, with many more in the works. They started with the unusual looking Saks Exclusive Nutcracker a few years ago, next was the Woodland Series Santa and then the Jolly Jalopy and Kris Kringle jars. (Both of these are still available) I believe the Kris Kringle jar is only one that was made of porcelain, the rest are/have been ceramic.

The newer jars from Radko have what I call the Radko look, a little bit over the top, lots of gold and glitz, oversized and great colors. The faces and figures are very well detailed and, in fact, many of them have the Fitz & Floyd detail. There is a reason for this -- several Radko employees were formerly with Fitz & Floyd. But, nevertheless, the Radko jars are terrific! If you can afford them, these jars are well worth adding to your collection, but beware -- they are costly.

(Note: There is a new line of Radko coming out soon, called Shiny Brite. There will be cookie jars in the line and they will be more moderately priced.)