The Jolly Man

Some people know that I have a Santa collection. Every year the man in red comes in many different versions at our house. Sometimes he gets tired of his red suit, or it needs to be washed, and he wears a different color.

I like to try to find a santa when we go on foreign vacations. But since we usually go in the summer, I have not been very successful. I have a Delft santa in blue from Holland. The one below came from Russia, via my in-laws.

We also have a paper mache one from Germany (also via the in-laws. Aren't they great?) Of course we had to have Santa in a rocket for Frank. Just for Anna, there is a santa holding cats.

The jolly fellow is very active and likes to go canoeing, skiing, ice skating and drive a car. I own quite of few by David Frykman, who created the one below.

But one of my favorites, and the very first one of my collection (at the time, I didn't even know I would have a collection), is this guy below. My sister made him for me in middle school. He took an extended vacation for several years and we couldn't locate him. But I was so happy when he resurfaced and was able to bring him to my own home.