There was a time when I pulled out all the stops when it came to decorating for the Christmas season. That is no longer true as these days it is simpler with one, maybe two, things being the focal point.
This year Santa, perhaps my favorite holiday image, gets the nod.
Why? Because as Jan Miller Girando wrote in her poem Believe, Santa allows everyone to be a child at Christmas.
All we have to do is just believe in the magic of waiting for Saint Nick. In these days filled with cynicism that is sometimes hard to do, but thoughts of Santa do help.
Remember Virginia’s letter asking if there was a Santa Claus?
To this day I love reading Charles Dana’s response that was published in the New York Sun in 1897. He said that because we cannot see Santa doesn’t mean he doesn’t exist. He goes on to say that the most real things in the world are things we cannot see.
There’s more than whiskers and a suit to dear old Santa Claus. Bright hopes there are, and dreams come true, good cheer, unselfish sharing personified by gifts of love. From I Believe in Santa by M. Kathleen Haley
So, as each Santa finds his place, I smile and feel my heart filling with the joy of Christmas. For sure, I will never stop believing as that renews my faith in what is good and gives me hope that by holding on to that belief some of my childlike self will stay in place. I agree with Charles Dana that without Santa the world would be a dreary place.
Lulu's Musings 
One of the six trees that I decorated in our home in New Hampshire was covered in Santas from top to bottom. I sold the collection when we moved but I have three beautiful Santas that I kept. Yes, I believe.
Pure Christmas class! Thanks for inviting us for a peek. CherryKay
I can only imagine how lovely your house is during the holidays!
Linda, I love you Santa collection! My childhood memories of Santa are so vivid!
I didn’t even realize I had a collection until I found them in first one box and then another!
What a wonderful collection of Santas! You always have the most unusual pieces!! Ho, ho, ho!
Jenna
It was fun getting them all out and seeing how different each one is.
I BELIEVE in Santa, Linda! He brings that little bit of magic each year with many memories growing up. My Mom comes from a large family and we cousins could not wait to get together at my grandparents for Santa’s visit. It brings back such happy memories.
Believing is, indeed, part of the magic of Christmas.
Not sure if it will be temporary, or permanent, but the link to my blog is now: marlandphotos.wordpress.com My domain expired!?! 😦 At this point is is expensive to purchase again. Hopefully this won’t interrupt your receiving of my posts. Sorry for whatever inconvenience it causes you. Any recommendations would be welcomed, as well. Marland
Your Santa collection is beautiful and… I BELIEVE!
Yea, Nancy!
The Santa displays are fabulous! I believe!
I didn’t know I had so many as they were not all in the same place. Finding them all made me happy.
I believe in Santa! Love your collection.
Believing is keeping the magic.