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ANTIQUES & VINTAGE, DECOR, HOLIDAY

Vintage Santas On The Shelves: An Artful Installation Of My Collection

Want to know what happens when you pile in all of your vintage Santas into one spot? May I introduce you to ‘The Great Wall of Santas!’

a shot of two of the shelvves full of vintage santas

In case there was any confusion … I am mildly obsessed with Santa. Yes. I admit it. Well, I guess you could narrow it down to say that I am sorta/kinda obsessed with vintage Santa’s (even though there are a few that are vintage inspired ones included here in my collection). But, can you blame me?

side view of shelves

Look at those jolly faces.

Look at those playful winks.

Look at those perfectly round bellys.

What’s not to love?

a banner of Merry Christmas and gurley candles

Yes, I may have more Vintage Santas that any one person would need – but hear me out! I am a vintage and antique dealer and I do a lot of buying – which means that I am around ‘old things’ a lot. And, when I come across an old Santa (which I do often throughout the year) I just can’t leave it behind. Also, in case you didn’t know, I am quite found of all things vintage Christmas (you can read why here) so it only makes sense that I would have a crazy Santa collection.

All the santas togerher in one photo

This year, with the help of my dear friend Rob, I decided to put all of my Santa’s in one spot. I was super nervous about the idea of displaying them this way at first. I was worried that they may look too cluttered or would be overwhelming. But, I decided to just go for it!

blow molds on the shelf

I will share how I put it all together, but first let’s talk about what I used to fill the shelves! From vintage Santa mugs to vintage Santa candy containers – I used all the Santas that I could find.

Vintage Santa Mugs

old santa mugs

This is probably the most popular Santa that I used. By know, especially if you have been following me for a while, you know all about these. Just in case you are new, you can read all about Santa mugs here. Instead of putting all of my mugs in one spot this year, I decided to scatter them around here and there throughout the shelves.

Vintage Santa Blow Molds

blow molds up top

You can see that I used these blow molds mostly on the top of the shelves. I also scattered a few on the taller shelves and then placed my largest one there on the floor. I love the grouping at the top – it is sort of like a crown for the entire space! Santa blow molds are pretty easy to find but may cost ya. I have seen the prices of these really increase over the last several years. Also, if you find a blow mold and you are wondering if it is old, then check out this post.

Vintage Santa Candy Containers

a close up of the vintage santa candy containers

I love these little plastic candy containers. The majority of these were made after the second world war and were very affordable. People would fill these little plastic Santas with candy and give them as gifts. I love the Santas on the skis the best! If you want to learn more about old candy containers you can click here.

Vintage Santa Music Box

music box

I only have a few old Santa music boxes, but the ones that I do have are the best. My newest addition is this old wind up music box from Japan. I particularly love the old fuzzy Santa hat.

Vintage Santa Gurley Candles

gurley candles

There are all sorts of old Santa candles out there but I am partial to the Gurley and Tavern brand. You can click here for all the history on them. I love that all of these Santas look the same but are various sizes.

a chocolate Santa

One new addition this year is a Chocolate Gurley Santa that Rob gave me. Yes, the Gurley company used their molds to create candies that were covered in wax. No – I do not plan to eat this one!

Vintage Santa Salt and Peppers

lots of santas on the shelf

I had fun this year gathering vintage Santa salt and pepper shakers. I actually used most of my salt and peppers here – but the ones on these white shelves are the left overs! I love their cute little faces and most, if not all, of these are marked Japan.

Vintage Santas: Paper Mache

paper mache santas on top shelf

These two old Santas are the jolliest of them all in my opinion. Made from paper, these Santas are quite fragile. They also would have held candy as well.

Vintage Santas: Miscellaneous

  • wind up santa toy
  • santa pin
  • santa paper

I have wind up toy Santas and Old Store display Santas. I have chalk ware Santas and Santa pins. I have Celluloid Santas and Santas in their original packaging. You get the idea…. the list could go on and on! Just know that I have several different vintage Santa collections within this one large collection.

celluloid santas

Setting The Stage

blow mold on the left side with lots of little ones

Now that you know what I used to put these shelves together, let me just touch on a few of the steps that I used to build this space out.

nothing on the shelves

The very first thing that I did was to take everything off of the shelves and dust them off. My friend Rob was actually here with me when I started the process of building this out and he jumped right in and helped to clear them off with me. He had the idea to adjust some of the shelves to make room for some of the larger Santas and also to add some interest along the top of the space.

Next, we added back in some of my primitive staple pieces. We did this knowing that there would be a lot of red and we needed to break that up. Also, the primitive pieces provided a structure and helped to organize all of the various Santas that were going to be in the space.

Since the primitive pieces that I added back in were neutral, the space needed some contrast of color to help break up all of the red and white. The green trees (old and new) were necessary to help make the Santas pop off of the shelves. In the case of the larger trees there towards the top, those were styled with great intention to help create moments of pause.

Knowing that this was a display that could easily be overwhelming, these moments of pause were necessary to break up all of the dense “Santa Areas’ (like the Santa mug piles) throughout the entire space. In essence, I created smaller vignettes within the larger space intentionally to maintain interest and create some organization within a space that could have been very chaotic.

shelves the left two

Wanna Santa?

I gathered up a few of the Santa’s that I found online that I would love to add to my own collection. To shop, simply click on the photo below for more information.

Wrap Up

large blow mold and paper mache one

I hope you enjoyed my “Great Wall of Santas”. It took a bit of time for me to build it out (2 days to be exact) but, with the invaluable encouragement from my friend Rob, I got it done. I have to tell ya, this was a bit of a stretch for me. I am very comfortable creating small, tight vignettes – but this large space was indeed challenging. I wanted it to be artful and intentional and I did not want it to be overwhelming. Luckily, I was up for the challenge and I am very pleased with the way it turned out. I hope you like it too.

Thank you for taking the time to read all about my little (or large) Vintage Santa collection. I appreciate you being here! I hope you found this installation of my vintage Santas to be artful and inspiring. Merry Christmas to each of you!

PS – Wanna take a guess at how many Santas are in and around these shelves …

side view
close up of the big blow mold santa
the top right shelves
the middle shelves
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Comments

  1. Suzanne says

    What an amazing Santa collection! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many in one place. You and Rob did a wonderful job with their display.

    • Julie says

      What a collection! I’m thinking 250 Santa’s. The 25th of December and 0 for his jolly round face!

  2. Rickie says

    Amazing! I also collect vintage Christmas – and love the Santas all gathered together like a happy reunion!! Merry Christmas to you!

  3. Karen says

    I didn’t count them and I’m going to guess 172! My first guess was127 but I really think you have more than that so I transposed the last two numbers!! Love you! Merry Christmas Monday🎄

  7. Kelley says

    I’m guesstimating 243 Santa’s. I collect Santa figurines and I know how many can fill up my small kitchen table. Anyway, this is probably too small a number, but that’s what I’m guessing. Absolutely love everything about this collection!

  20. Lynn C. says

    This is perfection! Not overwhelming and having the shelves divide them up makes for an interesting display! Love them! My guess is 482

  26. Amanda Upton says

    Love the display Emily – makes me so happy ☺️☺️ I’m guessing 185 Santa’s on the shelves! Cheers – and Merry Christmas!

  34. Tina Kelloway says

    I’m going to say 173…🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅

  51. Leslie @atticpatina says

    You did a wonderful job styling these shelves & displaying your collection!!! I love it! My guess is that you have 178 🎅… I may have tried to count! 🙈 Again, well done, Emily!!! Looks awesome!

  52. Jennifer says

    My guess is 168! I hope I win lol 🙂

    Happy holidays Emily! You are such a joy and I love seeing you on instagram.

  53. Michelle says

    I think there are 111. This is an amazing display and I’m extremely jealous. How long have you been collecting? Love following your account.
    Michelle

  55. Valerie says

    I’ve always had a hard time with grouping collections together, I don’t have the right touch. Mine always look either to jumbled up or crowded together. Yours is stunning!
    My guess is you have atleast 200 Santa’s in your display!

  56. Cherie says

    What an amazing collection and a wonderful display!! Thank you for sharing all your information on collecting such great vintage treasures. I’m guessing around 198 Santas altogether.

  60. Carey says

    This gives me hope for my tiny collection. I too like to gather pieces on “hunts” so it’s growing slowly. I also need a display cabinet. You have such a beautiful display. I love following your account on Instagram.

  64. Brenda says

    Emily – you have inspired me so much this year! I have always loved vintage Santa’s and have been slowly adding to my collection. Your collection however is fabulous! Can my guess be not enough Santa’s??? Ha ha!!! I’ll guess 185. Merry Christmas.
    Brenda

  66. Brenna Guzman says

    I’m in love with each and everyone of those face’s. You have inspired my growing collection and I guess 178.

  72. Missy says

    I think you are amazing! Those Santa’s aren’t half bad either! 😊 I enjoy following you!
    My guess is not enough – keep collecting! 173. Merry Christmas!🔔⛪

  74. Doreen says

    So awesome Emily! You’ve inspired me to keep adding to my small collection. I’ll guess 103 Santa’s!

  76. Sally Leyba says

    My 🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻Guess is 221. They are fabulous. Merry Christmas to you and your family

  82. Denay Greeb says

    This is the coolest thing I have seen all week! So much Christmas cheer in those jolly faces! Love them so much!

  83. Elisha says

    I would have never purchased a
    Santa if it wasn’t for your intriguing displays…now I’ve got a collection of my own! 😬😆 my guess is 214

  84. Robin says

    Picked up my first 2 mini Santa mugs this year. Added to my Gurley candle collection that I started last year. Thank you for the inspiration!!!! My guess is is 412 santas on your shelves!!! With more to be added!!!

  87. Miranda Jackson says

    Hey Emily! I am in complete Aww of your Santa wall and collection! I’ve just started collecting all things vintage Christmas because it reminds me of my sweet grandparents! I’m going to guess 185!
    Merry Christmas!

  88. Joy says

    Friend, I love everything about these Santa shelves!! They are perfection and I’m going to take guess and say you have at least 175 Santas!! My fave is the holographic winking 🎅🏼 Santa!!! Beautiful display!!❤️❤️❤️

  91. Starr says

    I love your Santa collection . I hope to have that many so day . I am slowly getting some but my mom has a nice collection that I will receive one day .🎅🏻

  92. Susanne says

    Festively Fabulous!!🎅 I shared your collection with my children! Their mouths dropped! “Wow, Mom…we thought YOU had a lot of Santa’s!!” Not even close to your collection….but, you have to have goals!!😉 I guess 225…but, room for more!!!

  93. Janice says

    You have the most beautiful collection of vintage Christmas. I just bought my first Gurley candles yesterday! My guess on the number of Santa’s would be 149. I hope I’m right do I can start my next vintage collection SANTAS 🤞🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅

  94. Megan says

    Love your collection! Wish I had room to do something like this. Just beautiful. I’m gonna guess you have 173 Santa’s.

  96. Linda says

    You’re the Santa Queen! I thoroughly enjoyed gazing at each and every one. Thanks for sharing with us.

  97. Carrie says

    Your displays always inspire me. I think you have 231 Santa’s! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

  98. Scott says

    Your displays are alway amazing.
    I have one of your special Santa’s I put out every year!Love y’all Merry Christmas and God bless

  101. Nancy says

    Your Santa collection is amazing! And it’s multiple Santa collections. And it’s so impactful when they’re altogether. I think you have 314 Santa’s! Merry Christmas!!

  102. Paula Skelly says

    Your love for the past and the present is always evident in all your collections. This Santa display is exquisite!! Probably about 185!!

  103. Tami says

    This is the most amazing wall of Santa’s I’ve ever seen! What can I even say about your collection other than beautiful 🎅

  105. Betty says

    216–I have a few and they seem to get scattered around the house—I know realize my mistake! I see a grouping in a special place next year! Thanks for sharing

  106. Shan says

    You have made me fall in love with vintage (and not vintage) Santa’s!! I love the display, you did a great job! Tell Rob thanks from all of us for pushing you to do it!!

  107. Jan Rogers says

    The most beautiful place to visit! I love what an artist you are….absolutely perfect. I think there are around 201 Santas! I think they’re all checking their lists! Merry Christmas, Emily and family! 🎄🎄❤️❤️

  108. Teresa says

    I love your Santa’s. I bought my first vintage Santa mug last week and I’m
    So excited about it. My guess is 98 Santa’s

  112. Sally Lester says

    What a beautiful collection Emily! They are all just so good. It’s hard to pick which is my favorite. I’ve never met a Vintage Santas I didn’t love. We can think of our collections as rescue. We are finding homes for all the vintage Santas of any kind. I have no idea how many are here but if you know a number, that means you don’t have enough. Right? ☺️😂
    Merry Christmas to you and your family my sweet friend. ♥️

  113. Holly says

    I’m in absolute love with your collection! What a treasure to own. My guess is 181!! I’m a little behind you. I might have 30? I need to count how many I have! Merry Christmas! 🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼

  114. Joni Spidle says

    Ahhhh Santa’s have my ♥️also!! You have a great collection here – I am going to guess 223 are hangin with you!

  115. Laura says

    Emily, I love all your Santa’s! It brings back such joyful memories of my childhood. I love that your dad adds to your passion. It gives him great pleasure, I’m sure. My guess is 171. Merry Christmas to you, and your family.

  118. Dedra says

    You have an amazing collection of Santa’s. I love vintage Christmas also! My favorites are my vintage ornaments and my vintage Santa’s. I don’t have a collection nearly as large as yours but I love them all the same! I would love to have something from your collection to add to mine! I enjoy your account so much because we love so many of the same things! Merry Christmas to you and your family! Dedra 🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻

  119. Gloria Pflager says

    212? I love all the Santas and will be on the lookout for them now. I am sad that we used to do progressive dinners, my mom made french onion soup one year and bought all Santa mugs and give each of us some to take home after. I made the mistake of washing them in the dishwasher and all the paint came off, they were white and i think I tossed them! what was I thinking? Of course, now I am on the search for replacements…

  120. Bonnie says

    I love anything to do with vintage!! The santa wall is just amazing. I love all the different kinds of santas you have. It just the perfect amount. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

  121. Chelsey Wolfe says

    One million Santa’s, no just kidding. Beautiful collection you have, I’m sure it took a long time to acquire. I would guess around 210 Santa’s among your shelves but I’m excited to hear the actual number. Merry Christmas!

  122. Sara says

    What an awesome collection! I get excited just looking at it! Makes me want to hit the antique stores! I’m gonna guess 175 Santas in this amazing display.

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