Santa makes this a happy ho-ho-home
St. Nick is a welcome and regular Christmas guest in an East York bungalow
When Marg Hembruff opens her front door, it’s easy — for a moment — to think you’ve arrived at Santa’s pied-a-terre in the city.
There’s a colour portrait of the Man in the Red, hanging in the place of honour over the fireplace.
Beside the hearth stands another Santa — his ensemble repurposed from a piece of a priest’s vestment, his hands carved from wood and holding a tiny leather Bible — from Combermere, in eastern Ontario’s Madawaska Valley.
“The Santa portrait is from a silent auction for the Hospital for Sick Children, where I volunteer,” she explains.
Hembruff’s husband Ron at one time counted 21 Santas. When the couple was dating, a friend warned him that her Christmas decor might be considered over the top.
“I was overwhelmed when I saw it,” he says. “I didn’t think there would be room in the house for me.”
But it’s all Ho-Ho-Ho happiness now, some 20-plus years later.
“On our trips,” Hembruff says, “Ron is the one who looks for Santas to add to the collection. I couldn’t do this without him — he’s in charge of the lights and electrical things.”
As well as St. Nick figures and decorations, Christmas ornaments and trinkets adorn Hembruff’s East York bungalow. There are stockings and jester, magi and elves. Ballerinas can be seen in an array of sizes, shapes and hues. Even the living room loveseats are upholstered in a deep, Christmas-y shade of red.
Hembruff starts Christmasing her home in late November, a labour of love that includes ironing the fabric outfits.
“Christmas is so important,” she says. “I think of it as time of year when no one should be forgotten. My mom died when I was 7 and our Dad brought us up alone. It’s a very special time, and I love to celebrate it.”
And celebrate she does. Year round — whether out for a walk, or window shopping or travelling — Hembruff keeps her eyes open for new and outstanding treasurers to add to her collection. There are finds from the market at St. Jacobs, Ont., Toronto’s annual One of a Kind Show and from as far away as Florence, Italy.
“I prefer things that are unusual, and are handmade,” Hembruff says.
“I saw this on Yonge St., in January last year,” she says, touching a glass bauble painted red and green with gold glitter trim. “I just had to have it. I like to buy things in sets of three to make decorating easier.
“One of my favourite things is a Santa one of my friends made for me. I was honoured by that!”