Hello Everyone,
 It’s Christmas 2007, and once again, we are all busy finding ways to make this, one of the most exciting times of the year. The shop has been filled with the most wonderful array of items, some fabulous antique furniture, sparkling crystal glasses and decanters, sterling silver baskets, pretty porcelain pieces and a small selection of vintage jewellery. The village is festooned with colourful red and green bunting and the air is filled with the scent of pine cones. Tiny silver, gold and coloured baubles are hanging from the branches the over laden Christmas tree, that is standing in my living room.
Whilst most of our Australian Christmas traditions have derived from our British beginnings, European influences and later the American commercial influences, it is not Christmas unless our small children are brimming with so much excitement that they can't get to sleep on Christmas eve, listening for Santa who comes silently down the chimney and eats a piece of cake and takes a drink left out for him, before he goes on his merry way. I always love waking up on Christmas morning, when you have hardly closed your eyes, the children wild with excitement and wonder as they rip open the wrappings on a multitude of presents, handed out by the biggest and jolliest of the family, wearing a Santa suit or at the very least a Santa cap.
 This year, as is years past, our Christmas dinner, will be served at lunchtime on Christmas day at home, where the very best antique china, glassware and silver will be displayed on an antique lace tablecloth, delicately covering my early Victorian mahogany dining table. There is always something quite comforting and nostalgic about using the items those past generations have handed down.
The Christmas break and the holidays mean more time to sit back and relax watching the ‘plasma”. Watching television has become an informative pastime for many collectors, aspiring antique buyers, bargain hunters, and those of us who just want to sit back and relax. Programmes like “The Antiques Road Show” and “Bargain Hunt” on commercial free-to-air and the ABC’s “Collectors” along with other shows on cable TV are very informative, creating a resurgence of genuine interest in the antiques market. Often, people just want to know what their item is, and what it is worth. Whilst these programmes give viewers a great opportunity to learn more about the social history of their possessions, as well as the value, always feel free to give a call or pop into the shop for a valuation or assessment of your precious items. It is every hunter and collector’s dream to uncover an item that is worth a lot of money, even if you never really intend to part with it!
I always breathe a big sigh of relief, on Christmas Eve, as like many antique dealers, I close my shop on Christmas Eve; enabling me to take a short break during this period, before I venture north to do the Rotary Club’s antiques fair at Jupiter’s Casino. It is always a good idea to make a quick phone call before coming to visit my shop during January, to ask the hours we are open, or alternatively to make an appointment to call at a mutually convenient time. Whilst we are always available to a prospective customer, I do adhere to a holiday timetable.
Compliments of the festive season, thanks for your support during the past year and may you have a peaceful and happy New Year.
Dawn.
 A Mid-Victorian English mahogany sideboard with shaped serpentine front, fitted with an interior cellarette. Circa 1860
An early Victorian English six-drawer chest of drawers with fully turned side columns standing on bun feet. Circa 1860.
A French spelter figure of a bonneted lady. Signed with the title “La Pensee”.
A set of three gilt framed botanical prints depicting flowers.
A black Wedgwood jasper twin handled lidded urn.
An early Victorian mahogany extension table accompanied by six Victoria mahogany chairs.
An eclectic selection of vintage costume jewellery.
Exhibiting at the 2008 Rotary Antiques Fair at the Jupiter’s Casino
On the Gold Coast
Opening night, Thursday 3rd January – Sunday , 6th January.
Enquiries: phone Dawn on 0408530259
Christmas is a time for rituals and traditions. Some of my of the old favorites are kissing under the mistletoe and singing carols round the tree. I also love my letter from Santa that contains my little packet of magic reindeer dust (glitter) that only gets sent to puppies that have been good all year. I then sprinkle it outside the door on Christmas Eve before curling up in my basket, so that the reindeer see the sparkle and know where to stop.
 I also love the Christmas tree and the many kinds of Christmas ornaments and, if you think about it, collections of Christmas ornaments are probably the most prolific of all items collected.
Many people, who would not even consider themselves to be collectors, have great collections of Christmas ornaments and Christmas decorations. They cherish and proudly display these collections each year.
Some Christmas devotees add a new Christmas ornament to their collection each year without fail. Others have friends or relatives who give them a new Christmas ornament each year as a family tradition. Christmas ornaments contributed by family members usually soon become very treasured in collections.
Like me, collectors can't wait for the next Christmas season to come around again, so we can once again display the full collection, with new additions for friends and relatives. Part of the fun is creating a new look display each year, so that the house looks different every Christmas.
Have a great Christmas, may all your wishes come true. See you in the shop in 2008!
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