It is almost impossible to find a homeowner who decorates in the primitive/colonial style who has not heard of or owns at least one Arnett’s Santa. Every year around this time, hundreds of pictures of these handmade Santas begin popping up on Facebook, websites, and blogs. It seems that everyone wants to share their collection of Santas with others, and we continue to add more each year.

I, like all of you, have fallen in love with the whimsical figures created by Stacee Droit. Every year, I thoughtfully plan out my next addition and look forward to decorating my house for Christmas and including my newest addition to my ever-growing family of Arnett’s Santas. I am not sure when I purchased by first Santa from Arnett’s Country Store. I would guess it was five or six years ago. Why I had never bought one before is beyond me. You see, I grew up in Arnett’s Country Store territory. I was born and raised in West Frankfort, Illinois which is also the hometown of Arnett’s Country Store. So back to my original question. Why did it take me so long to start collecting these yuletide delights? I guess the answer to that question is that we all come to things in the intended time. It is just part of the master plan that is driving all of our lives.

Over the years, I have gotten to be really good friends with Stacee, and I have attended many of her open houses and the antique shows that she has promoted. I have stood in amazement at the number of people who line up to purchase their carefully chosen Arnett’s Santa. The people who purchase these whimsical figures thoughtfully select the Santa they desire and tell stories about when they purchased their first Santa, how many they have in their collecttion, and how much they love them. You can literally see the joy and excitement on their faces and hear it in their voices as they eagerly peruse the newest line of Santas that Stacee is offering.

There are so many reasons why I think that Arnett’s Santas are so popular. First of all, they are made with love. They are quality handmade items that have been given the attention that they deserve. Second, they truly are one of the few christmas decorations that fit in seamlessly with the primitive/colonial style. They do not look out of place in early homes, and they truly add a touch of merriment to any space they occupy. I sincerely hope that Stacee knows how much joy and peace her creations have brought to countless people all over the country. She truly has helped to make Christmas a little more merry for so many people. These jolly Santas will continue to bring joy to people long after we are gone, and I think that is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.

My collection of Arnett’s Santas have brought me a lot of joy over the years, and I know that they will continue to do so as I continue my journey into early decorating and eventually enjoy Christmas in our saltbox. I can hardly wait for that day to arrive! These Santas have brought me a lot of peace when I needed it the most and PEACE MATTERS!

If you have yet to purchase an Arnett’s Santa and would like to, there is still time. You can visit Arnett’s Country Store’s website at www.arnettscountrystore.com to view this year’s selection.

There is more exciting news from Arnett's Country Store! Their new Christmas book is available and ready to be shipped! I have seen this book, and if you love early primitives, log cabins, and Arnett's Santas you will want this book. You can order it by visiting their website.

~Dan~