Kris Kringle~ aka Santa Claus, also known as St. Nick, and Father Christmas~ is known across the globe.
I set a table with my various Fitz & Floyd Santa pieces collected through the years. . .
The western idea of Santa Claus is a combination of the European traditions of Kris Kringle, Father Christmas and the Christian Saint Nicholas.
Kris Kringle is derived from the German “Christkindl” which translates to Christ Child in English. The German version of Kris Kringle portrayed a sprightly young boy that brought gifts to the children in the Germanic countries. Although Kris Kringle is used interchangeably with Santa Claus in the U.S., the traditional Kris Kringle is very different from the modern idea of Santa Claus.
I’ve always loved Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies~
I’m sure most everyone is familiar with the tale of the white-bearded gentleman who appears at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and fills in for an unfit Santa Claus—and as a result is asked to become the store’s resident Santa. This Kris Kringle believes he is Santa, as do children from all over the city, and reindeer at the zoo nearby. Since its first publication in 1947, this tale has been treasured by generations of believers, making this Academy Award-winning story part of holiday traditions all across America.
A Christmas classic, which debuted in 1947 in theatres, the same year as the book. Since that time there have been four remakes of the movie, as well as a Broadway musical. The most recent remake in 1994 had a more serious tone than the original 1947 version with a large portion rewritten, although the majority of the plot and characters remained intact. The film also added a subtext concerning religious faith.
Because of a film industry strike, there was a shortage of color films available from all the studios for screening that summer, so Twentieth Century-Fox decided to release Miracle on 34th Street twice—once, in June, to select theaters to fill the gap in new movies; then in early fall nationwide. Archival letters detail how the book’s release date was pushed to tie in with that of the film. Within months of its release, the book was appearing on bestseller lists, with more than four hundred thousand copies in print. The film went on to win three Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor, for Edmund Gwenn’s portrayal of Kris Kringle; Best Screenplay and Best Original Story.
Postwar America was ready for some old-fashioned Christmas spirit, packaged in this modern tale.
The story has withstood the test of time. More than fifty years after the publication Macy’s still hosts its annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and the U.S. Postal Service continues to receive thousands of letters to Santa Claus each holiday season. In Kris Kringle’s words, “Underneath all the hurry and bustle people still believe in Santa Claus and all Christmas stands for.”
Do you believe in Santa Claus?
I was told at a very early age, if you didn’t believe, Santa wouldn’t come. . .
I’ve been a believer ever since :-)
I filled hurricanes and glass jars with nuts, cranberries, lady apples, and small pine cones ~ to bring a little nature to the table. . .
The clip below is from the original 1947 film version that won Edmund Gwenn an Oscar for his portrayal of the jolly old elf Kringle and with then newcomer Natalie Wood playing Susan.
Wishing you something to believe in this Christmas Season~
Thank you for your visit, I’m joining:
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Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursdays~
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Jenny Matlock for Alphabe-Thursday~
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Jain at Food for Thought, a delicious blog for readers with an appetite for the written word~
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The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays~
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No Minimalist Here Holiday Dining Party~
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A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday~
You have a lovely collection..I dore that movie..
I do believe:)
Those Santa plates are exquisite..You girls have beautiful items!
Mary I am speechless!! This table is amazing as is your entire post! I love everything about it.
Such a nice collection of F&F…♥ those Santa plates!!! You’ve really set a beautiful table, featuring all these wonderful pieces, Mary. BRAVO!
The colours on your table are so festive – the whole arrangement is perfect, for me.
When my children began to doubt the existence of Santa Claus I told them that he lived in each of us, and that we all had the capacity to be Santa for others. They loved that!
oh this was fun, my cheeks hurt, i had a grin all the way down, and i am slow… so i ache! i wanted to take in every pic and read every word, FUN FUN FUN! what a wonderful tie in, love the videos, book, dishes, MEMORIES! we had similar santa plates when i was kid, i had totally forgotten, i feel 5 years old again, leaving a plate of cookies out for santa~
thanks so much for the fun, i just keep staring, smiling and drinking it all in :)
So much fun! I adore Santa in his little Santa Mobile with gifts piled high!
Very adorable!
Not only do I love that movie also, I also love this whole table. It was a treat to try to take in every detail of the plates and other details. I absolutely LOVED that Santa Mobile! So cute!
Your table is so gorgeous i just wanna look and look and look …. wow, just gorgeous!!!
I watch “Miracle on 34th Street” every year. I would have wanted that wonderful house at the end of the movie, too! Your tablescape is magical…Fitz & Floyd always have market cornered on darling Christmas designs. Thank you for sharing your magical tablescape. Cherry Kay
The way you intertwined facts about Santa with the tablescape is wonderful. I love the bits of nature you brought to the table.
I LOVE IT! The Santa Mobile has to be my favorite, although I’m lovin’ all of your F&F! Cracked up at the deer sitting in the car! Have fun:@)
Such a fun post for the Letter K and very timely for the season! Your collection of F&F Kris Kringle pieces is wonderful and your Christmas Table Scape is beautiful and so festive. I enjoyed seeing your collection and the clips of Miracle On 34th Street…..also one of my Favorites! Lovely photos and post.
Those santa plates are awesome! boy did you ever take a lot of pictures of your table ! IT looks really nice and I love the movie miracle on 34th street.
Of course I believe in Santa Claus. To believe in Santa Claus is to believe in giving, love and unselfishness. The Spirit of Santa Claus is the spirit of Love.
I BELIEVE! Mary, this is a wonderful post today, so much to talk about! First, my sister gave both of my girls the same F&F music boxes with Santa in the car. Second your table looks FAB, so festive. Third, I love Miracle on 34th Street and always watch the original version Thanksgiving Day but I like the 1994 version too. Finally I want to tell you, I think Lake Norman must be an amazing place to live. We cross over it ever year on I77 on our way North and always comment that if we lived in Charlotte, we would have to live at Lake Norman. Have a wonderful weekend, Nan
What a beautiful table! Your Santa plates look wonderful on the placemats with the harlequin border — and the Santa driving the jalopy is just adorable! I love the mix of nuts and fruit you’ve used to fill various vessels — what a great look!
Oh, I enjoyed this post so much. We always watch the original version of the movie during the season. It is my husband’s favorite. Your collection of Santa dishes is wonderful and so beautifully presented on this table. Thanks for the warm feeling this post gave me this morning.
I am entranced with your table. I love all the Fitz and Floyd pieces.. the canape plates look wonderful as plates. It all came together beautifully.
Your collection is awesome…as is your table! Thank you for sharing this magical table with us.
What a great table!!! So colorful and playful and Christmasy!!!
What a wonderful Santamobile — I want a ride! All the kids (young and young at heart) would love t0 sit at this magical table.
Your table is so beautiful!! What time is dinner???
Kris Kringle is new to me. We don’t talk of him over here. We definitely have Santa Claus though and I’ve heard the stories of St Nicholas. Interesting post.
OMG! You have the greatest Santa tableware, all of them are just so precious. Miracle on 34th St is one of my favorite movies. I truly enjoyed this post. Your table is amazing!…Christine
Your table is so very lovely!
Brenda
What lovely decorations you have! I love Fitz and Floyd. When I had my home party business I always placed huge orders with them…I miss being able to purchase at wholesale prices!
Thanks for a wonderful fun and festive stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday!
This post really made me smile.
Thank you.
A+
Lovely table. We have a lot of the same F&F items. No one can do festive or Christmas like Fitz & Floyd!
It’s Christmas in your home!!! Love that movie. Thanks so much for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.
– The Tablescaper
In a word…fabulous!!
Wonderful table with your Fitz and Floyd pieces, I am a F&F collector too. Nice touch with the book and movies. Thanks for sharing.
Mary, what a fun table. I do love it when you go a little “on the wild side” girl! This would be a fabulous table for children. Just darling. I do love Fitz and Floyd but I’ve had too many pieces that have easily chipped and it breaks my heart when it happens. Only on the decorative pieces, not the plates. Have you ever encountered this? I have a friend who has the same problem. We’re probably just klutzes, but they are so expensive and chip so easily, I’ve had to stop buying them for practical reasons.
Your table is amazing! I could not decide what I liked best , because I loved all of it. Fitz and Flyod always has the most beautiful things for Christmas. I definately believe in Santa Clause! If you don’t you get underwear, right? That is what I was always told. Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.
This is stunning! I love Fitz and Floyd and I remember your pieces. I have several pieces I’ve collected and given to me over the years. I know your table entertains all who surround it. Beautiful post.
~Emily
The French Hutch
Oh Mary, I sure DO believe! Santa is always SO very good to me! SO, I collect Santas, have collected them for 25 plus years now. I love them all. Your F and F collection is beautiful! I have several pieces now too but would LOVE to have those gorgeous plates. Love the nuts etc. in the hurricanes. XO, Pinky
I love Fitz and Floyd and I didn’t get any for myself this year! Perhaps I should go shopping! :D :D :D Happy Happy and a Merry Merry, too!
There are some really neat touches. I love the nuts and fruit touches.
– The Tablescaper
Another absolutely unreal tablescape. Stunning. Hugs, Marty