by Anita Benedict
I have been collecting nutcrackers for several years; all shapes and sizes, novelty items, curtains, bedding, pillows and a tall inflatable one for outside. Living on the windy shore that one is hardest to display. I have two Steve White original paintings of nutcrackers; I knew enough to specify what kind of nutcracker or I would have ended up with a painting of a functional metal one. He has a great sense of humour. Another favourite is a hand knit one by a lovely lady in my community.
The kids have contributed to my collection over the years, hubby stopped when he realized how many were accumulating. I told him I have a penchant for collecting ugly men; nutcrackers at Christmas and Toby mugs and jugs are displayed the rest of the year. I had to add present company excluded when he gave me a funny look. I gave Hubby cans of beer last year with custom labels made by me. My fave was “Beer is like nutcrackers, you can never have enough.”
One size nutcracker has eluded me, but this year is the year! This is the year I finally bought that six foot nutcracker that will likely stay on display all year long. I figure he can wear a heart necklace at Valentines, rabbit ears at Easter, or he can be one of the soldiers guarding Jesus. On Canada Day he can hold a Canadian Flag and dress up like Herman Munster at Halloween. That is my justification, the possibilities are endless.
I think I shall call him Gabriel, because his expression is quite angelic. I would call him Lucifer, because it has been a hell of a time saving money to buy one and to find a nice one, but he looks more like a Gabriel. The last large one, only three and half feet, I called Mortimer. Robert Munsch has a Mortimer book and the parents would say “Mortimer, be quiet,” I told the kids to be quiet and not mention him to
see how long before “someone” noticed. I think it was one week and the kids did not tell!
Between hats, Toby’s and nutcrackers, my friends are quick to alert me to ones on sale, ones in auctions and so on. Most go for prices outside my range, but one never knows. The time is approaching to dig out and display that collection for a month or so. I know I talked about decluttering a few weeks ago, but that did not include nutcrackers. I have added a small rug to the collection and am excited to see it in
place!
One of these days I will have a “guess the number of nutcrackers” for a fundraiser. I can give to a non-profit, and maybe, just maybe, finally get an accurate count for myself! How many is too many? No idea, haven’t reached that number yet.
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