My grandfather, Donald C. Minor, left a postcard collection, which includes a couple dozen Christmas greetings from 1906-1910. Besides gleaning genealogical clues and collecting family history snippets, I brainstorm ways to play this art forward. What a waste it would be to just file these pieces of art away in acid free sleeves! One of … Continue reading Postcard Play: Make Christmas Gift Tags
Santa
The Mystery of a Purple-Robed Santa
In December of 1910 my grandfather, Donald C. Minor of Greene County, Pennsylvania received another Christmas postcard from Genevia in Morgantown, West Virginia. She wrote: "I hope Santa will bring you lots of pretty things and that you will have a Merry Xmas and Happy New year. Your friend, Genevia" As a genealogist the card provides no clues … Continue reading The Mystery of a Purple-Robed Santa
A Merry (European) Christmas!
Hello, Donald, Come on over and we will sled ride. What is Santa Claus going to bring you. ~Carl This toy-bearing gent is more St. Nicholas than Santa Claus. Influenced by the artist's Saxon* roots, this illustration depicts a St. Nick clad in heavy black boots and a long, hooded red robe tromping through … Continue reading A Merry (European) Christmas!
Christmas Presents of Christmas Past: 1960
If safe-keeping is any indication of what we value, then a Santa gift from 1960 must be one of my most important treasures. Both the doll and the doll bed, complete with original bedclothes sewn by my mother, are stored in my attic, saved for some distant day when a grandchild comes to visit.
Advent Calendar December 6: Santa’s Secret
I turned the doorknob and fell into our foyer as Brad pulled the front door open with a flourish. "I SAW AN ELF!" His hands gestured emphatically with each word. Three year old David jumped up and down by his side yelling, "SANTA! SANTA! SANTA!" Just that day there had been a heated discussion at the … Continue reading Advent Calendar December 6: Santa’s Secret
Shoots, Roots, and Leaves 