Collection Challenge #33 - Santa Visit Photos And A DIY inspired Project

When I was little there was always something magical about going to visit Santa with my brother and sister.  I was never afraid of him and would happily climb in his lap.  My kids also always enjoyed their visits to Santa and sat in his lap with lists in hand.

When I was challenged to show my collection of Santa visit photos, I was happy to dig into my stash.

The above photo was dated 1951 and the little girl is Susan Marshall. The  info was pencilled in the inside of the cardboard sleeve.

I love to find them in their original department store cardboard sleeve as I love the graphics.

This is a 1950 photo of Gordon (5 years old) and his sister Dolores (7 years old).

This is their Santa visit one year later in 1951.

I love the tradition of the Santa visit and I religiously took my kids each year. As the kids got older I ended up with quite a few photos to display and not enough flat surface.  I made this to display all the photos in one spot.

It is one of those wood large photo screens that were popular a few years ago.  I color copied vintage Christmas cards and decoupaged the entire frame with these images. (This is also my favorite photo below of the kids on Santa's lap. Kate is about a month old and she is sound asleep and looks so tiny next to Santa's hand)

I must admit my kids were happy when all 15 spots were full and they did not have to visit Santa anymore. In the last photo they look so big and gangly on Santa's lap. I do love this project.  All the photos are in one spot and in order. It is fun to see the kids grow up from frame to frame.
 
We also always went to the same department store to see Santa and often he is the same Santa from year to year.  I was always happy to catch a glimpse of his friendly face as we waited in line.

I miss this tradition.  My kids are 17 and 18 and growing up quickly. If you have little ones, enjoy all those magical holiday traditions with them.

If you have an idea for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "show me your collection of _____".I will see what I can do.

May Santa bring you all you wish for this holiday season...even if you didn't get a chance to sit on his lap!

Comments

[Lisa]

I just love this collection post!
What a fun way to display their pictures!

Will you post the silverware collection soon?

[Debra Ganas]

What a fun post. I love the way you make your displays so interesting. Great idea on the picture frame stand.
I do have a picture from my childhood. My sister is screaming and trying to get away while I am smiling.

Debra

[sandy]

This is a great collection. I think everyone has happy memories of visiting santa. I take my 4 grandchildren to the Festival of Tree's every year and have thier picture taken with Santa. They are now all teenagers and fight me on it now. You are so right about enjoying the holiday traditions with your little ones, time goes so fast.

[janet]

Just finished my Christmas shopping and stopped at a couple of antique stores (bought myself a Santa ornament). Then home and had your sweet Santa photo collection waiting for me. Lovely day. Thank you for your part in it.

[Debby Messner]

I have a large frame with several of Santa's photos over the year. Love getting it out for Christmas. I think I will have to take a picture of it and make a post. Such good memories.

[barbara]

What a fun collection! I think the little boy in the last photo is starting to have a few doubts...

[Linda @ A La Carte]

It's fun to see your childrens photos on a visit to Santa. I love the old one's and have some of me that look just like that!

[Valarie Kraft]

LOVE this idea. I have one of those old frame thingies in my closet, I hated to get rid of it, and now I know why. Your blog makes me smile.
xxoo Valarie

[Lindlee]

The 1950's photos with Santa are classic!

What a great use of kind of an originally tacky screen. Great gift for a grandparent.

Would love for you to show us your collection of metal recipe card tins??

[Jill]

I love how you display your kids' santa visit photos~ such a great idea, and wow, what a labor of love.
Hugs,
Jill

[Lynn]

I think this might be my favorite one yet - well after the Scotties. I love Santa photos.

[Annette]

The photo screen with the pictures from year to year is a great idea. So often those old photos just get put away and not brought out for enjoying each year. How fun to have the same santa from year to year, too.
Annette

[Janis]

Laurie, what a sweet collection
of Santa and children photos!!
For some reason, I can't remember
a visit to Santa as a small child
but, I do know I did because of
pictures. I must have blocked
it out of my mind! lol!