Hi from Virginia

[Ruthann]

My name is Ruthann and I live in Virginia with my husband and 2 sons. I am a social worker at the Veterans Hospital. My interest in putzs comes from a variety of influences. I enjoy anything reminiscent of Christmas past, and my mom has two simple houses from her childhood. My grandpa, who passed this year at age 99, told me his dad made a huge platform with a fence and houses and creche; all long gone. He grew up with the Belsnickle, and so did my mom.

I collect mostly vintage and antique ornaments, and I have too many to display at my house, so I have a display at the Watermen's Museum in Yorktown in December. I believe the items that have lasted are meant to be shared and enjoyed. Sometimes I lose some to breakage, but that is the price I pay to enjoy my collection.

Putzs are not as fragile as the ornaments, and just as delightful, so I have been enjoying putzs more this year than previously when I was busy acquiring ornaments. My husband enjoys my collection but he has his own interests. He enjoys seeing me enjoy my stuff!

[Nan]

I'm guessing Virginia is the state where you live! I, too, like using the old ornaments, risk of breakage or not. My grandmother had a tiny German beer bottle ornament on her tree when she was a child--must have been in the 1890s. It has been used every year since then, first by her, then my mother, and now me. It's the only one I have left of hers, and it gives me great pleasure to put it out each year.
It was nice reading about your ornaments. And yes, putzes are truly less fragile, I think.

[maria]

I try to buy my old glass ornaments/vintage glass ornaments at tag sales and such. That way, when they do break, it's not so much of a heartache....