Dancing Santa Tells Me It’s Christmas Soon
Every year, we unpack the dancing Santa and I know it's going to be Christmas soon.
I would imagine most folks who celebrate Christmas will have something similar that says — hey it's that time!
My family mementos got me thinking about Toronto's deep relationship with Santa Claus.
Now, if you're from here you're probably familiar with the iconic Santa Claus Parade (formerly the Eaton's Santa Claus parade — sigh … the times, they certainly do change).
You maybe lined up — your dad possibly put you on his shoulders — you cheered as floats, marching bands and other characters walked by, waiting until …. he arrived!
Santa on foot was ok …
But really, it was Santa in his sleigh (and those great gifts he had) that got a kid excited.
If you're interested in the history of the parade, there are even some books you could read including A Mile of Make-believe: A History of the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade.
The Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books even has some vintage Eaton's Santa Claus Parade colouring books from the 1950s. If you're wondering who the character beating the drum is … well that's Punkinhead and I refer you to this blog on him to find out more information (he first appeared in the Eaton's parade in 1948).
There are many good blogs on the Eaton's Parade that have loads of information and great vintage photos:
- Toronto Then and Now, The Santa Claus Parade
- Doug Taylor's Historic Toronto, Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade Toronto
- even Wikipedia has an article
- The Ontario Archives has a collection of original material on the parade as well.
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
2 thoughts on “Dancing Santa Tells Me It’s Christmas Soon”
I really enjoyed seeing the marching bands this year at the Santa Parade and the best viewing spot for that is Christie Pits Park, after which one can warm up with soup in Korea town. I too have precious little ornaments I have been collecting since I arrived in Canada a few years ago and every year they bring up feelings and memories! A special Santa moment in our place is also our cat snuggling with the stuffies under the tree. Merry Christmas everyone!
Fun post! If only we could bottle the excitement, awe, and positivity we experienced as kids around this time of year, I’m sure we could put a few pharmaceutical companies out of business 🙂
Our special Christmas object is a 50+ year old stuffed Santa who has been snuggled and loved for years and years by myself, brothers, sisters, children, and grandchildren. He’s threadbare, faded, and his body is flat as a pancake now but he still sits proudly on our mantle at this time of year.