Countdown to Christmas: 38 Days The Most EXPENSIVE Santa Claus on eBay!

If you're looking for that little something special to make your holiday decor pop, then check out this $15,000.00 Santa on eBay.

Antique Santa Claus WWII with Box "Feldpost"Candy Container approx.1940

Countdown to Christmas: 39 Days What Color is Santa Claus? Or Jesus, for that matter?

This is STRICTLY for entertainment purposes and not open for debate!

But I have found some rather fascinating opinions and comedic revelry on the subject, two of which I thought I'd share.

It all started when Aisha Harris wrote in her article Santa Claus Should Not Be a White Man Anymore on www.slate.com about her experience growing up conflicted because Superman, (Oh, excuse me, Freudian slip) SANTA CLAUS was white in some place and black at her house.

Megyn Kelly from Fox News stepped right up...and then stuck that same foot in her mouth by saying not only was Santa Claus white, so was Jesus.

So, getting back to Aisha Harris's article (assuming you followed the link), she thinks Santa Claus should from now on be a penguin. Because penguins are so cute and sweet and everybody likes them.

Apparently, she's never heard of THE PENGUIN from the Batman comics that has been in existence since December 1941 (Ha! December! How ironic is that?), and is probably just as popular as Santa Claus.

OH, Puh-leeeeez! Batman, Superman, Santa Claus, Michael Jordan...no, wait he's NOT WHITE!

Okay, so let's compare Michael Jordan to Santa Claus, because, obviously, Michael Jordan is a fictional character (he, and Denzel Washington) because there is no way a man who is ALL THAT and has fans of all races and nationalities can be black.  Because if he was black, then white people wouldn't like him. They would not have attended his basketball games, cheered for him in the Olympics, bought his shoes or his underwear, or whatever he was promoting, right? Because white people can ONLY admire and relate to white role models or, in the case of Michael Jordan and Santa Claus, LEGENDS!

SO, if Santa Claus can be depicted as black, or (Oh, please no...a penguin) then by all means, Michael Jordan must, from now on be depicted as a white guy or a very tall rabbit. If you don't get that reference...look it up.

Now do you see how really ridiculous this all sounds?

Santa Claus is a fictional character based on St. Nicholas, who was actually from The Mediterranean, so he was probably sporting a rather decent tan.

However, for many generations, we in America have celebrated/acknowledged a Santa Claus who is loosely based on Washington Irving's (white guy) version of Sinter Klaas, Thomas Nast's (another white guy) illustrations in Harper's, and the jolly on elf in the poem by Clement Clarke Moore (you guessed it...white guy) as our jovial gift giver.

Santa Claus is legendarily portrayed as a portly aging white guy, with or without glasses, red suit, black belt, white or green gloves or mittens, black or white boots and the all too familiar (regardless if he's riding a Harley Davidson or a sleigh, whether he's fly fishing, drinking a Coke, sunning at the beach with Jimmy Buffet, being taken over by a Pumpkin King with a great singing voice, or sitting at the mall) white beard. He lives at the North Pole with a bunch of elves with curly toed shoes and pointy ears, his wife, Mrs. Claus who is just a regular, overweight, sweet lady...who is also white.

BTW it is NOT Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus! It is Santa and Mrs. Claus.

After spending most of the year making toys in the North Pole, he rides his sleigh all across the world and drops down the chimney (if you have a chimney, if not, does he just slip through a window or come through the front door?), he eats the cookies and milk you set out for him, he leaves presents under the tree and/or in stockings, and sneaks back out.

Then your parents get up really early and play with your toys before you get to!

So, I don't see the problem here.

Other countries have their own version of this generous guy, why can't we? And why does it have to be a racist thing for him to be white?

If you want a Kwanzaa Claus, then by all means, get one! I'll tuck a figure of him right in there with the rest of my Santa Claus, Pierre Noel, Sinter Klaas, and Ded Moroz collection..but please, just let Santa Claus be an overweight white guy.

And Jesus can be Middle-Eastern.

More great articles to read:

Jesus Wasn't White but Santa Definitely Is

Megyn Kelly Addresses White Santa Comments

Love ya, Megan and Aisha for keeping it fun!

Countdown to Xmas: 40 Days Why Would There Not Be "CHRIST" in Christmas?

Had we in America held the tradition of Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th, perhaps confusing Jesus's "birthday" with the eve Santa Claus slips into our homes and leaves gifts under the Christmas (AKA Winter Solstice) tree, perhaps we could keep "Christ" in Christmas and celebrate Jesus's birthday on a day all to itself.

I tend to send cards that say "Happy Holidays" because I like to encompass the new year into the greeting as well. Still, the holiday IS called Christmas...PERIOD.

If you DON'T want to say "Christmas" then I think you shouldn't be allowed to celebrate it.

My, but don't we have enough stress over the holidays? So many expectations and now we have to watch our tongue as to how we greet someone during the time of the year where the cold (in most areas) makes us want to stay in our homes, but the holiday season encourages us to get out and about.


Now, if I had my preferences, I'd stick good Ol' Santa smack dab in the middle of his own holiday and let the time for celebrating the birth of Christ stand on its own.

Albeit, Saint Nicholas was an actual person, I still like the idea of Santa Claus and all the legends and traditions that have developed through the world regarding his generosity and/or discipline.

But there is one thing I am curious about is the connection between Santa Claus and Jesus in the manger and Noah's Ark. Who started that legend/tradition?

I can see Noah...it's the beard thing, right? But how do we even know Noah had a long white beard?

I'm confused.

And I would say that anything that predates the actual Saint Nicholas just doesn't work logistically.

But I'll share some cute Santas with Jesus and Santas/Noahs and the Ark that I've found on the internet with you anyway.

What is Santa Claus Doing Next to Baby Jesus

"Some even argue that telling children that Santa Claus is real is not only a lie, but fear that when the children find out that Santa Claus is not real they may believe that Jesus is not real as well. I do see the difficulty in lying to children even for the sake of celebration. In my family we had to make some decisions about how to handle this."

The opinion from the previous link may be an interesting dinner party top of conversation, as will this opinion of the link between Santa and Noah on religiousforums.com.

"One the biggest reasons I rejected a belief in Santa Claus as a child was the seemingly impossible task of his toy delivery run. If one does the math Santa Claus would need in order to satisfy all children would have to deliver toys at the rate of 4000 deliveries per second. Some children still continue to buy it, "well that is because Santa Claus is magic" is the answer given to many children when they query the parents about Santa's impossible work schedule on Xmas eve. The same argument applies to Noah in his quest to round up two of every species of wild animal he would need to break the sound barrier like how did he manage to get those two toed sloths from South America moving faster than the speed of sound in a hasty attempt to round them up to get them about the ark? Saying Noah was magic like parents lie to their children about Santa Claus does not seem to wash with me."

As George Michael said, "You've got to have faith!" or was that someone else?

Anyway...

Ed Pribyl "Noah's Ark Santa"

Found on Pinterest

Jim Shore's "Santa with Noah's Ark"

Nostalgic Noah's Ark Woodcarved Santa

I think it is rather conflicted that we try to wrap the Christmas season up in a neatly wrapped box with a shiny bow. It is complicated, and for those who do not chose to believe or celebrate with those who embrace this season of compassion and generosity, don't ruin it for those of us who do.

And if you can't bring yourself to say "Merry Christmas", please at least try saying "Peace on Earth, and Good Will Toward Men".

http://instagram.com/ifitwags

HOLIDAY POINTER:

Be good to each other.

Countdown to Christmas: 41 Days Charming Santas by Damian Salinas (DS Carvings)

Obviously, a favorite pastime of mine is looking up Santas on eBay. 

One "face" that keeps popping up is the one carved by self-taught artisan, Damien Salinas.

His price are very reasonable and I would compare the quality of his work to two of my favorites, Anthony Costanza and that of Paul and Camille Bolinger.

I recommend you take a look at DS Carvings current listings on eBay and pick out a few one of a kind Santas for your Christmas gift list, and why not get one for yourself!

Countdown to Christmas: 43 Days Kathy Tate Davis and Her One of a Kind Okra Pod Art

I got one of those "FEELINGS" that I had to stop by one of my favorite thrift shops in Ruston, LA. It provides a work place and support of members of our community, much like that of Goodwill, but it is privately owned.

I dropped by to see if they had put out any Christmas decorations and boy did I hit pay dirt!  Actually, the tall tree and a few of the ornaments are from yesterday, but the large Santa figure, etc. are from today's haul.

But I will blog more about that later because TODAY I want to talk about one very unusual find.

This little elf still has his tag (although stained) and was created in 2007.  I wanted to take advantage of my blog to share with you what I've learned about the artist, Kathy Tate Davis.

First of all we are "practically" neighbors! She lives in Coushatta, LA and I have a camp on the southern end of Lake Bistineau near Ringgold, LA.

Second, she and I got into crafting about the same time. Me in 1992, and she in 1993. Where I have jumped around from art to crafts to acting to photography and back to crafts, she has made quite a name for herself with her favorite materials, OKRA, and her talent is well displayed in her work.

I often find it a bit comical calling myself a Gourd Artist, but Kathy has me beat.

"So what do YOU do?"
"I'm an Okra Artist?"
"Oh...wait, a WHUUUUT?"

I can definitely see how Kathy is inspired by the odd twists and turns of the dried pieces of okra. Much like a gourd, if you shake them, they rattle! Which makes them even MORE adorable!

Anyway...

Check out her Etsy page to learn more about Kathy and her see what she has available.

It looks like Kathy and I share our interest for all things holiday related. You've just got to love the faces she creates on her colorful and clever little characters. Take a gander at some of her Halloween figures and I'll bet you'll think they look like someone you know. SPOOPY!

I found some more of her images on Pinterest and on her Facebook page. But if you really want to scroll through her some of her amazing pieces, check out Georgia's Gift Shop Facebook page.

WOW!

Countdown to Christmas: 44 Days Santa Figures with Fiber Optic Beards...NO THANK YOU!

I admit I collect a lot of unusual Santas but I have to draw the line at Santas with fiberoptic beards. It's just a bit too creepy.

Generally, I stay away from animatronic figures because I do not like the sounds of their motors, but a Santa with beard glowing in a rainbow of colors better not find its way into my home!

But your opinion may differ.

Available on eBay

Words just can't express how I feel about this Santa with out undoubtably offending someone, so each to his own.

And since everyone is entitled to their opinion, check out Crazy iPod Reviewer's video review.

Good job, Kevin...but I still think they are creepy!

Countdown to Christmas: 45 Days Primitive Santas

For this post, I return to my favorite resource, eBay, for my inspiration and for images to share with my readers.

I actually like primitive Santas a great deal, but I very few in my collection Primitive Art is known as a form of "un"educated artwork.

If I did have a collection, or a rustic home or cabin to display them in, I would stick to the more serious, minimalist Santas, or those with a flair for something that looks like it stepped out of a Tim Burton film.

How fun to have a group of matching Santas to share with those who come bearing gifts.

Some come with a hefty price.

The frustrating thing about searching for primitives on eBay is that you get so many hits for "patterns'; however, if you subtract patterns from your search, you will miss out on a lot of clever Santas.

Many celebrate American

The possibilities for creating and collecting primitive Santas are boundless and, because most are made of fabric, very durable.

This one is ready to go!

Typically one does not find a great deal of dimension on the face of a primitive Santa, but this artist has managed or give this one a lot of personality.

This is a pattern.

It never fails that I spot a primitive Santa on eBay that I like, but the auction is only for the pattern.

This artist created a Santa on a spring.

Below are mass produced "primitive" Santas.  I added this photo because I thought it made a nice composition.

Multiple Santas in a box or basket makes and eye catching center piece and great gifts for your guests.

Some just make you smile.

And then there's this guy...

Where traditional Santas figures and ornaments are more my thing, that does not mean I don't enjoy looking at all the imaginative Santas artists have created. So, as I like to say, "Everyone is an artist. You just have to find  a way to express yourself." and these cleaver Santas are proof that someone out there is doing what they love. 

Seriously ? How can you not love to create Santas?

Countdown to Christmas: 47 Days Touching Up an Already Awesome Little One of a Kind Santa.

Next to Sean Bean, I'd say Ray Winstone, another fabulous actor from the other side of the pond well known for character being killed off, that would make a great Santa Claus...or Kris Kringle.


























Just look at those crinkled eyes and rosy cheeks!

But I'm off on another tangent after seeing him BRIEFLY in the movie "Hugo"... in which he was killed off.

Speaking of cute Santas...

I purchased some Santas from a seller on eBay and this little guy was in the group.

He is only about 9" tall. His beard was rather schmooshed when I took him out of the box, and his clothes were disheveled, but I fluffed him up a bit before this photo.

His sweet little sculpted (or modified press mold) face seems to be madefrom polymer product.

 His tiny hands are from a press mold where the thumb can be on either side.

I saw that he had a tiny belt and buckle, but on closer examination, I discovered that it was the wristband from a lady's watch.

This is a very clever accessory but it doesn't reach completely around the back of this Santa's tummy. I think it would have been better to have just left the watch face on the wristband/belt versus gluing the pieces on the side.




I find a lot of ornaments that make great toys for Santa to carry. This drum was mostly likely an ornament or maybe it was a piece from a floral pick, but the hole was rather obvious.










One think I really liked about this Santa was his handmade boots that are most likely sculpted from polymer clay.

And the tiny oranges are only about a quarter of an inch, yet each one is textured and has a little dimple on the bottom.













I tiny wrapped present sits at this feet that is rather sturdy, perhaps wood? His color pallet is one of my favorites with the light green tunic/jumpsuit :) and his red and gold quilted coat. Each corner of the half inches squares is accented by a tiny gold bead.

His spray of gold twigs (are these for spanking bad children?) are lightly glittered, and his wreath (although shedding leaves and berries) is the appropriate scale.

I am always on the lookout for things to use when adding accessories to my Santas.

I chose this box with the goose, the tiny white reindeer that probably came from a vintage floral spray, but I am still not sure about the snowman.

Finally, I gave his head a little tilt and, to me, this gives him that little extra bit of personality.

HOLIDAY POINTERS:

Don't be afraid of "playing" with your Santa. add or remove items to make him more to your liking. You can always photograph him in his original attire in the event you every want to sell him.

Thread a needle! I don't really care for the look of hot glue all over everything