Some of my favorite Santas...

Since I've had a nasty flu the last couple of days I haven't done much crafting. So instead of a paper creation, I thought I'd share some of my favorite Santas with you. I have a small collection of them, and I like to pick them up, when I can, from wherever we travel.

Here's one of my most treasured Santas:

This Santa is from Russia. He is handpainted and was given to me by a friend who imports these types of gift items to this country. This Santa is very regal, and I really love him!

This Santa on the "rocking reindeer" is also from Russia and was given to me by the same friend. The little bells that hang from the saddle blanket actually jingle when he rocks.

This is another much-treasured Santa that I purchased in Prague, Czech Republic. My husband and I visited there a couple of years ago during the Christmas season, and I vowed not to leave until I had a Czech Santa. My grandmother was Czech so it was important to add this one to my collection. He is also hand-painted and very regal looking.




























The Santa at right is quite rustic.  He was hand-carved and painted by a gentleman from northern Minnesota. I liked him because of his green shirt and his stance--with his hands in his pockets. These peculiarities make him different from most Santas you see.






























The Santa at left was purchased in Heidelberg, Germany. He is wearing the traditional dress of the European-style Santa.  I chose him especially for that reason.

Don't you love his mittens, too? They look like they must be leather mittens.



























This is a look at my entire small collection. Some I have painted myself, others have been purchased here in the U.S. and a few have been given to me as gifts. It's always fun to pull them out of the box and set them on the mantel in December.

Thanks for visiting today, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day!
Cheryl