Everyone (more or less) collects Santas, snowmen, maybe nativities, ornaments, etc. for the holidays, but why not be a little different? Look for the unusual item, something that is not normally associated with Christmas or the holidays, but is definitely related. Or it might be building a collection of something that most people would only have one of. e.g. Ten different books of A Visit from St. Nicholas. Or if collecting Santas, you might look only for those with green coats or only on postcards or advertisements.
After I joined the Golden Glow, an organization devoted to antique Christmas, it opened my eyes to a wide variety of collections that were intriguing, unusual and sometimes hard to find.
Collectors love the words hard-to-find, if there's a challenge, we're up for it. Explore these items that people collect, maybe it will spark an interest for you.
After I joined the Golden Glow, an organization devoted to antique Christmas, it opened my eyes to a wide variety of collections that were intriguing, unusual and sometimes hard to find.
Collectors love the words hard-to-find, if there's a challenge, we're up for it. Explore these items that people collect, maybe it will spark an interest for you.
Dangerous Santas
© Barb Crews
One of the displays I really enjoyed checking out at one of the national conventions was that of Jim Morrison of the National Christmas Center and his Dangerous Santa collection. Dangerous Santa advertisements and assorted items really caught folks attention at the exhibit and had them browsing forever.
The showcase was filled with stories, advertisements and items that were truly dangerous in their time. Like bird lights that caught on fire, things that exploded and even Santa shown hawking scary things. This would be a great collection for someone with a sense of humor of the absurd and would take some time to put together, but that's the best part of collecting -- the search.
The showcase was filled with stories, advertisements and items that were truly dangerous in their time. Like bird lights that caught on fire, things that exploded and even Santa shown hawking scary things. This would be a great collection for someone with a sense of humor of the absurd and would take some time to put together, but that's the best part of collecting -- the search.
Christmas Smoking Paraphernalia
©Barb Crews
In the United States smoking is outlawed in just about every public place and has made it almost taboo to smoke. But years ago that wasn't the case, as it was advertised as making one sophisticated and worldly if a smoker.
One cute, but small collection shown at a recent exhibit were Christmas ashtrays. Ceramic, glass and metal ashtrays all decorated in holiday motifs of Santas, snowmen and holly leaves filled a few shelves. Since that time, I've also seen Christmas lighters and match holders. And don't forget those amazing advertisements with smokers and cigarettes.
You don't have to be a smoker or even an ex-smoker to appreciate these or collect them, as they are a look into Christmas past of the 1950s and 60s.
One cute, but small collection shown at a recent exhibit were Christmas ashtrays. Ceramic, glass and metal ashtrays all decorated in holiday motifs of Santas, snowmen and holly leaves filled a few shelves. Since that time, I've also seen Christmas lighters and match holders. And don't forget those amazing advertisements with smokers and cigarettes.
You don't have to be a smoker or even an ex-smoker to appreciate these or collect them, as they are a look into Christmas past of the 1950s and 60s.
Magazine Ads
Advertising has always had a strong following with collectors, either by product, topic or era. Christmas advertisements are great to collect. They're colorful, usually well done and of course feature favorite products from years gone-by.It might be toys, think Lionel Trains, household items, clothing, smoking and/or liquor. Yes Virginia, there used to be magazine ads for cigarettes and smoking.
Most of these can be found for just a few dollars, except for the more unusual pieces. One hint might be to check out the November and December issues of magazine and cut out the ones that appeal to you (instead of buying individual ads).
Figural Candles
© Barb Crews
Vintage figural candles of angels, choir boys, Santa, snowmen, nativities and reindeer aren't known to hold up well over the years, but when they are found at garage or estate sales, they are usually pretty cheap and reasonable. Look for them everywhere you go and you'll soon have a nice grouping to display on a shelf or bookcase.
The Vermont Country Store has reproduced these 1950 style candles and offers them for sale on their website. The price of these new candles is usually more than you would find the vintage pieces, but of course in a lot better condition.
Find out more:
Vintage Gurley Candles
Vermont Country Store Candles
The Vermont Country Store has reproduced these 1950 style candles and offers them for sale on their website. The price of these new candles is usually more than you would find the vintage pieces, but of course in a lot better condition.
Find out more:
Vintage Gurley Candles
Vermont Country Store Candles
Contemporary Novels and Mysteries
©Price Grabber
Since I've always loved and collected Christmas stuff, along with being an avid mystery reader, I'll often pick up mysteries and novels that have a Christmas theme or title. Especially books by well-known authors who get away from their typical fare with a great holiday story. It's interesting that the authors of these books appear to be mostly woman authors, not figured out why. I don't read authors by gender, but male authors greatly outnumber the females as my favorites, except for my Christmas shelf.
I like to pick up the older books found at book sales and flea markets, but for a start take a look at some of the current offerings.
Check Prices:Christmas Mysteries
Paper or Cardboard Cookie Trays
© Barb Crews
So much fun, so colorful and just a little bit difficult to find. But the upside is they are quite affordable. I think the secret to finding these might be in the part of the country you live in. The German paper trays were (and still are) used give friends and neighbors gifts of cookies and sweets for the holidays.
The cookie trays shown are all vintage and antique, but there are numerous contemporary pieces available, often purchased for well under $10.
Learn more:
Collecting Cookie Trays
A Visit from St. Nicholas / Rudolph
© PriceGrabber.com
I know these are not unusual, but it is unusual to collect a whole shelf of books with the same story, but different adaptions and illustrations. Over the years I've seen the most beautifully illustrated books of A Visit from St. Nicholas, aka The Night Before Christmas. Most are vintage books, but there are certainly gorgeous, recently-published tomes. A coffee table filled with different versions of the book would be an amazing display, as well as a great collection that could also be quite affordable.
Don't forget about the various versions of Rudolph, the classic story from Robert May. The early and first books are still affordable, albeit quite simple. Later, more lavishly illustrated copies can also be found.
Don't forget about the various versions of Rudolph, the classic story from Robert May. The early and first books are still affordable, albeit quite simple. Later, more lavishly illustrated copies can also be found.
Other Christmas books would be my favorite of The North Pole Express, along with hundreds of other stories and books.
Also see: A Visit from St. Nicholas (one of the originals)
Check Prices: A Visit from St. Nicholas
