As a child I remember going to bed on Christmas Eve secure in the knowledge that my parents would wake me up as soon as Santa had left his gifts under our tree. (I never thought to ask to be awoken while he was still there!). As good as their word, my parents would shake me and my brothers and sister gently awake with the magical words; “It’s time to get up! Santa has been here! Joyeux Noel!” Keeping with the French Canadian tradition, this happened in the middle of the night – usually after midnight mass. Bleary eyed with sleep, we would tear down the stairs as fast as our short legs could carry us and run to the Christmas tree which had pride of place in the living room.

Oh Wonders! The tree would be lit up, sparkling from decorations made by hand, or bought at local stores, or through the Simpson Sears catalogue. Gifts were carefully placed under its leafy boughs ( or aluminum boughs depending on the style of the time). Was there a more perfect day for a child?

Children grow up, but there is still the element of the child in all of us that seeks to recapture the feelings that we associate with Christmas. Collectors of Christmas memorabilia seem to feel it the most keenly. Although this area of collecting was once largely ignored, recent years have seen a huge increase in collecting holiday memorabilia.

Combinations of pagan and Christian customs since the 1500’s evolved to create the tradition of embellishing evergreen trees. Queen Victoria is credited with the decorating of Christmas trees as we recognize them today, although her trees were said to be all table top trees. Early trees were decorated with fruits, cookies, little gifts, and homemade decorations. Artificial trees have been made since the late 1800’s from materials such as dyed goose feathers and aluminum, both which are very collectible.

Collectors today have a wide choice of Christmas collectibles if they can find them. Gone are the days when garage sales would provide easy access to old decorations. Savy collectors snap up decorations, strings of lights (such as bubble lights), candy tins, calendars, books, figures – anything associated with Christmas. Condition is very important and old decorations may be quite expensive. Tree ornaments from the early part of this century can be made of cardboard, celluloid, glass, china, or metal. Prices may range from $50 to $300 for rare ornaments. Christopher Radko, a well known contemporary designer has filled this penchant for the past by creating glass ornaments in old styles.

Collecting holiday memorabilia and decorations is like any other area of collecting. Do your homework by reading books and checking out shops and auctions. Your own parents’ and grandparents’ homes may yield the beginnings of a good collection of your own. In this way you are preserving the mementos of your childhood for your own children or grandchildren. Merry Christmas!

Written by Johanne Yakula

From Times Past

12403 Stony Plain Road

Edmonton, Alberta, T5N 3N3

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