Text by Kaleb Wyse
I love collecting all kinds of Santas, especially the older ones, and displaying them throughout my home. Here are some of my favorites!
At this point in my life, I’ve fully embraced the fact that I am, at heart, a collector. If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know how deep my collecting passion runs. I’m always on the lookout for something special to add to an existing collection or, better yet, to start a brand-new one!
There’s something captivating about the idea of an item being passed from one set of hands to another, moving through different homes and lives, each owner lovingly taking their turn to care for it. These pieces of history not only live in our homes but also bring a sense of charm to our décor.
My Christmas collections hold a particularly special place in my heart, which means I’m always keeping an eye out for Christmas treasures, no matter what date the calendar says.
The Santa figure holds a unique place in history, with the origins believed to trace back to Saint Nicholas of Myra, a village in modern-day Turkey that I was lucky enough to visit in 2009. Over the centuries, Santa has taken on various forms and meanings, evolving as the years have passed.
German composition Belsnickel Santas were popular from around 1870 to 1920. This is a later one from about 1900 that was made in Germany. It’s my tallest one with such bright colors.
My collection mostly begins in the late 1800s with composite Belsnickel Santa figures. Unlike the jolly, kindhearted Santa we know today, early versions of Santa often had a much sterner appearance. This was intentional, as during that era, Santa was portrayed as a figure who enforced discipline, ensuring children behaved. In fact, my Grandma Conrad used to tell me how frightened she was of Santa as a child, shuddering at the thought of him seeing any occasion when she didn’t follow the rules. It wasn’t until the rise of consumerism, particularly with Montgomery Ward’s popular depiction of Santa as a cheerful, jolly figure, that his image softened into the familiar character we all love today.
This early Santa is from the late 1800s. The cotton clothing and plaster face depict a figure close to what we recognize as a current-day Santa with a staff and bag of toys on his back, only slimmer. These are very delicate and hard to find in good condition.
I search for antique Santas with great colors, like this Belsnickel Santa from the 1920s. I was excited when I realized it had a key to wind up a music box that it sits on.
Santas are exciting to collect because each one is different. This ornament is just the face but still emblematic of the season.
Papier-mâché Santas were popular from the 1940s to 1960s in the United States. They usually show Santa with a jolly face and rosy cheeks. These are easy to find, as they were often gifted to children and used as décor during the Christmas decorating explosion of the 1950s.
Santas can often be found in every form, like this cast-iron miniature from the 1960s in a skiing position.
While hard to find, many of these older Santas were cared for by family members who passed them down. In the 1800s, having a lot of seasonal décor was uncommon, so these were special pieces meant to be beloved.
Cotton wool ornaments are a German tradition from some of the earliest Christmas decorations. The small Santas are often faded but add some warm texture to trees.
During the 1960s, manufacturers worldwide increased Christmas exports and made numerous versions of Santa, like this ceramic Napco one. It is only 4 inches tall but still makes a great statement.
This 1964 squeaky toy always makes me smile. Even the family dog was able to enjoy the season! Somehow, this one was saved, and now when I bring it out, and accidentally squeak it, my dog, Kip, cannot contain himself.
