Pam Cross: I have never been a collector...

Monday, December 19, 2022

Classic styles
Story and photos by Pam Cross

I have never been a collector of things.

When my son was young, we attended the Nutcracker, listened to the music, and he assembled a cardboard nutcracker in school. 

At that time, Bartell’s carried several nutcrackers during the Christmas holiday season. I decided to give him a nutcracker every Christmas.

The first few years I stuck with the classics.

He was excited the first year, and maybe the second.

In order to rekindle his interest, I decided to widen my search to less traditional ones. Santa Claus of course. And a Firefighter.

He was politely interested. He hugged me and thanked me, but I could tell his heart wasn’t in it. 

His interests were now on getting a Game Boy and all things electronic. 

In retrospect, I didn’t think to look for an electronic game involving nutcrackers. Another missed parenting opportunity.

Salvation Army and a chimney sweep
So for the next few years I went with my favorites. A Salvation Army Bell-ringer and a Chimney Cleaner whose face and clothes are painted to look dusty. 

I keep trying to dust it off.

A watchmaker with great details, and a carpenter who is holding a toy tool chest with two-dimensional tools that look remarkably like the toys that his grandfather had given to him years earlier. 

That was his favorite.

A watchmaker and a carpenter
He’s 40 now. And since moving out over 20 years ago, has never asked for the nutcrackers.

I have never been a collector. But I guess I am now and love each and every one of them.




1 comments:

Anonymous,  December 19, 2022 at 4:35 PM  

Pam, your Nutcracker article is interesting for several reasons. The collected items plus why you still have possession.
I have a 20 year collection of tree ornaments boxed and waiting for my 50 year old son to request his treasures. He has lived away from home for decades and has been also living on the East coast for decades. Each year the ornament had some type of meaning as regards my son's life. For example, when he was a student at Blanchet, I found an ornament of a teenager's school locker.
Pam, I understand your thoughts about the Nutcracker collection. Thank you for the pictures.
Another 'pam'.

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