Magyar News, 1996. szeptember-1997. augusztus (7. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1996-12-01 / 4. szám
Those who are familiar with the customs and traditions of social activities around the Christmas holidays know that there is a substantial difference to what we practice here in the States. They too have baby Jesus and Santa Claus, but the Christmas tree and the presents are from the baby Jesus and not from Santa. True, Santa doesn’t put anything under the tree, but he still has a role of dishing out things to - mostly the children. This happens in the early part of December on Nickolaus day and not on the holiday. Then the presents do have an unusual variety. The children polish their boots and put them out for the night. They are expecting candy, or some stocking stuffers, and those who behaved through the year receive these goodies. But let Santa find out that a child was not at his or her best behavior, then that child will find a piece of coal or sticks to be spanked with. This gives the child ample time to clean up the act before Christmas. These thought were churning in my mind as 1 stopped with my family, on our way to New Hampshire, at Deerfield, Mass. There are several reasons to stop here. We take a rest on our trip, we like the historical district, it is entertaining to visit the stores, specially the Yankee Candle Company. If you haven’t been there recently then you are in for a great surprise. It is several times the size it used to be, there are exhibits of all sorts, live bands play, there is food, and believe it or not this candle place has a car museum. You could spend a whole day there. Just hold on to your beloveds because it is hard to find them. As I walked into the Bavarian Christmas Village my Hungarian trained eye got locked on a display. It had a selection of two feet tall Santas. Well there is nothing to it, except they were wearing Hungarian decorations on their robe. This was a real show-stopper. Some were embroidered with matyó motifs, others had appliques from Mezőkövesd and Debrecen. Lynn Haney, an artist living in Texas, at a trade show in New York saw some wonderful hand-embroidered stockings. These exquisite works were made by Hungarian women. Haney spent almost a year studying the Hungarian motifs and crafts till he designed pieces for his Santa collection. With Ins connection, a couple in New Hartford, Connecticut (!), to the Hungarian folk artist he added on Hungarian Santas to his Exquisite collection. As of now there are eleven different costumes in Hungarian style, and by next year he will be introducing several more. Though one has to pay a couple of hundred dollars for a doll, it seems to be worth it because the material and design are the best, there are outstanding decorative pieces for any home, and let us not forget that these Santas came from Hungary. Joseph F. Balogh For information you may call me, or even better, call Lynn Haney Collection 1- 806-788-1271. Page 1
