If collecting is a form of addiction, Sanoma Johnson has it bad for Santa.
A collector of many things - including Waterford crystal and miniatures - Johnson became passionate about Santa Claus figurines about 15 years ago.
Traveling extensively, she found cute, cuddly, quaint and quirky Kris Kringles in nearly every port. The ones in her assemblage that she didn't discover personally were presented to her by family and friends as Christmas gifts through the years.
Each holiday season, Johnson decorates her home with the band of jolly fellows, trying to keep the compunction to a minimum.
"I always think I'm not going to put them all out - but then I do, because they bring back so many memories," she explained. "And in the end, memories are what we're left with."
Johnson says this year, she did not uncrate the entire set; although looking around her Auburn home, it's hard to believe there could be more stashed elsewhere.
Every flat surface in the public areas of the house display groupings of St. Nicholas, with one corner reserved for Santa-themed toys; like the wooden Santa that click-clacks down a pegged chimney, and a Tic-Tac-Toe board with triangular wood Santas as the game pieces.
Each step up the staircase holds a plush Father Christmas, with tiny statuettes lining the outer row of balustrades. Dressed in fur-trimmed cloaks, red velvet suits or painted canvas attire, the holiday icon's image adorns the counters in the kitchen, the window ledges in the dining and living rooms; and the vanity in the powder room.
Even the den is part of the Santa stage, with one rotund Kringle reeling in a whopper of a fish and another doubling as a working nutcracker. There are Santa bakers, tailors, skiers, cowboys, cobblers, painters and toymakers.
One carved-wood Kringle peers out from within a colorful ear of corn; another tops a totem pole; another is the shape of a bowling pin. One of the largest pieces in the collection is a Santa riding an old fashioned big-wheel bicycle.
A tall, folk-art Santa from Germany stands guard outside the front door. Inside, there is a surfing Santa that Johnson picked up in Maui.
A full-size Christmas tree is loaded with an array of Santa ornaments - including a painted starfish from Florida - and a smaller tabletop tree is laden with miniature danglers.
"My husband used to count them all, but I have no idea how many Santas I have now," Johnson admitted.
A revolving diorama showcases a miniature home's decorated entry on one side and its fully furnished living room on the other. Johnson points out the teensy Santa pull toy on the floor of the encased domicile, then goes to the fireplace hearth to demonstrate a life-size version.
Most of the dolls and figurines are hand made, but some are part of limited editions such as the ones produced by Fitz and Floyd, and the Noah's Ark by Harry and David that features Santa in the biblical role. There is a subset of salt-glaze crockery Kringles, and there are several done by local folk artists Bill and Betsy Riley that are uniquely individual but share family resemblances.
"Those are my favorites," Johnson said. "But then again, they all are my favorites."
The ones she prizes most blend two of her passions - Santa Clauses and quilts.
Unlike collectors whose hobbies are really about amassing pieces destined to increase in value, Johnson's obsession is just an amusement.
"If they look happy, then I like them," she said. "I like a happy Santa." And the more, the merrier.
