Collecting for Christmas |
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A two-metre-high hardboard cut-out of a Father Christmas figure delighted Donna Scarlett as a little girl. The home-made rustic Santa was a gift to Donna from her grandfather more than 40 years ago and, propped up at the family bach or on the verandah at home, it has been the focus of Christmas ever since for Donna and her family.
This original Santa is also the spark that ignited her passion for collecting. She now has a monumental collection of Santas – around 500 different toys, decorations and ornaments – though no one has ever counted them all.
Donna’s husband Chris is a supportive – if initially puzzled – partner in the collecting. He has built a special storage room in the roof space of their house to contain her Santa collection and other Christmas decorations.
“When we first met, his family were not really into Christmas,” says Donna. “But I have converted him. He seems quite happy carrying every single box up and down the stairs each year.”
Chris bought Donna a 1.2m plaster figure, her second-tallest Santa, and other family and friends regularly contribute. Her favourites are cloth-bodied Santas from the Possible Dreams range – American collectables that can be bought on the internet.
Donna and Chris’ children, Ben, nine, and Sarah, seven, love bringing their friends to visit. This year they’ll share their mother’s collection and her decorative handiwork with all 260 pupils at their school and many more from around the district. The Scarlett house is one of eight in a fundraising house and garden tour Donna has organised for West Melton School, near Christchurch. She hopes the day will raise $10,000.
Like many collectors, Donna can’t explain her passion. She doesn’t know why she collects Santas. “I just do.” But she is fussy and not every Santa appeals. “They have to have a nice face.”
This Christmas there is sadness amid the excitement as the dozens of boxes come down from the attic. Donna’s grandfather, Bert O’Connor, the man who started it all, died in June aged 89.
* Click on the Photo Gallery banner at top right for some classic Christmas collectables.
A Christmas Wonderland, the West Melton School fundraiser, is on November 29. Contact the school on (03) 347 8448 or Donna on (03) 347 7087.
Story: Pam Neville
Photographs: Guy Frederick
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