Fondness for Santa turns into a hefty collection

Bob Conrad, 83, has never stopped believing in Santa Claus.

As a little boy, he first glimpsed the jolly old elf in the Crescent department store window.

“We used to go downtown to see the Crescent window display,” he said. “And there was Santa! Right in the window!”

His eyes twinkled. “Then I got to grow up and BE him!”

But before that happened, his Santa fascination had already spawned a collection that sprawls throughout his Spokane Valley home.

The collection began with a single Santa, given to him by a friend. The animated and singing life-sized Claus delighted Conrad and his wife, Lillie.

Soon they began scouring thrift shops, drugstores and antique markets for versions of the bearded fellow. They bought pillows, placemats, puzzles and plush Kris Kringles.

“I’ve bought as many as he has,” Lillie Conrad said, smiling.

Friends, family and neighbors began adding to the Santa stash – figurines, cookie jars, wall hangings, blankets and rugs.

When Conrad retired after 30 years at Kaiser Trentwood, he had even more time for Santa shopping.

A North Pole village took shape, Mrs. Claus joined the troop, and tiny Santa Christmas lights were strung throughout his basement.

Then in 1990, he was asked to don the red suit and sit in Santa’s plush red chair at the Crescent, which had since become Frederick and Nelson’s.

“Ho ho ho!” he laughed. “I loved it.”

Conrad was in his element listening to children’s Christmas wishes. But the job was fraught with unanticipated peril. A little girl slapped him when he bent to pick her up. A boy, giddy with excitement, left Santa’s suit damp.

And one year his beard got caught on a child’s coat. He managed to untangle himself before his naked chin was revealed.

Speaking of beards, they aren’t cheap. The last one he purchased cost $190.

“But I got it on sale for $125,” Conrad said.

He rubbed his chin. “I thought about growing one, but I never did.”

When Frederick and Nelson closed, he resumed his gig at other stores and even played Santa at Lakeland Village.

“That was eye-opening for me,” he said.

After a few years he hung up his Santa suit, packed away the beard and donned a cap that reads “I believe in Santa Claus.”

“I get a lot of comments on it,” he said. “People want to buy it.”

He continued to add to his collection until it threatened to overtake his modest home – a house painted the same shade as Santa’s suit.

Every year he has his grandchildren count his collection. Their most recent count totaled 600. When Conrad himself last tallied them several years ago, he counted 400.

Many of his Santas are displayed year round in his basement, including dozens of ceramic figurines from around the world. And each year he creates a Santa display in the living room.

“It takes about a week to set up,” he said.

Each Santa has a story, from a whimsical St. Nick sporting a white suit and a purple beard (from San Francisco), to a garden Claus with pink mittens and a basket of roses, (from his daughter’s Hallmark store).

A clock in the living room counts down the hours until the real deal arrives and a Santa-shaped cookie jar holds sweet treats.

The Santa that started it all greets visitors with a song when they step through the front door.

“Jingle Bells,” said Conrad, grinning. “My favorite!”

As much as he loves Santas, he’s finally stopped adding to his collection.

“I quit buying them about five years ago.”

He pointed to Lillie. “She says we need to downsize.”

Then he laughed. “But I still look!”

When asked why he loves Santa so much he replied, “He’s kind of a tradition for kids who ain’t got nothing.”

Then he pointed to his favorite figurine – an iconic image of Santa Claus kneeling in front of Baby Jesus in the manger.

“That’s it isn’t it?” he said. “It’s all about Christmas.”