This week I have been featuring Christmas traditions, today I am highlighting the extraordinary collections of an extremely talented friend of mine, Virginia Heaven.  We have known each other for years, and years, and years!  We first met at the Chicago History Museum where she was the Assistant Curator of Costumes, we have continued our friendship through our association with the Costume Society of America Symposium and for the past many years with the Fashion Studies Department at Columbia College Chicago and spend many an evening over a glass or two of wine and a cheese tray at the Chicago Hilton talking about the way of the world.  Virginia is never at a loss for words, ideas and her passion for collecting so many different things.  I have used some of her photos in past posts and am still waiting (are you reading this Ms. Virginia….) for her to complete my profile questionnaire…..someday!  Today I am sharing some of her Christmas favorites.  Please forgive me for starting with my photo of the wonderful winter house she made and gave me several years ago.  I should keep it out all year, but there are some things that one needs to keep for special occasions…don’t you agree!  All photos are Virginia’s and I will give you brief information as we look at them.

A quote from Virginia “I have been collecting Christmas decorations in earnest since 1979 on my December honeymoon in Moscow (starter husband) where I purchased holiday ornaments made in Eastern Europe at the GUM Department Store (before it was fancy) still the Soviet Union.  I have always loved Christmas and it was a huge thing when I was a child (only child like you Nena).”  Virginia is English so we continue that theme as well, what can I say!

Her two most favorite things are her birds and her Snow Babies (which are getting much more collectible and more expensive, what isn’t!)  Here a couple of photos of these two collections…..might I pause here and remind you that the last Randolph Street Market of 2017 is this Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17 from 10 to 5 each day.  Do come for the festivities and see what you can find for last minute gifts and for yourself while enjoying yummy treats and delicious drink.  And, by the way, there will be Christmas Trees in the parking lot (parking is free!!!!!!).

A beautiful German glass bird (I had these when I was a little girl) perched in her red tree.  Some of her treasured Snow Babies, charm personified!

You knew I would find a book on the subject…….here you go.

Not one of Virginia’s but a charmer I found on Pinterest no photo credit available.

“The green church is homemade from early 20th century, the base and fence were purchased separately and all the tinsel and brush trees were accumulated over the years.”

“This church is home-made probably in the 1940’s it was made for a real tree but I use it with a fake tree that I cover with my blown glass birds.”

These pieces are clock cases that Virginia has discarded the nonfunctioning clocks and made them into display cases, they stay out all year and their contents often change.

This is my favorite, I might need a bigger bag when I visit, if you get my meaning!!!!

Let’s pull up a chair by the fire and enjoy some of the treats Virginia has put out for us.