Since I started this blog over four years ago I always try to highlight some Christmas-worthy museums and attractions during the month of December. Maybe one day you’ll be able to visit the Museum of Vintage Cartoon Memorabilia and Commercial Archaeology, which usually has a special exhibit of lit holiday figures or, if you’re Catholic, The Blessed John Paul II Shrine. One can only hope. Anyway, here are are some holly jolly places from the blog’s archive, in case you missed them or are too lazy to find them on your own:
A Christmas Story House Museum If you’re like my uncle (who hasn’t left the couch in years) then you’re probably quoting lines while watching the 24 hour marathon of A Christmas Story on TBS. Well, good news! Directly across the street from the house where they filmed the movie is an official museum full of original props, memorabilia and costumes, including Randy’s snow suit.
Ed Clark’s Year-Round Christmas House A San Antonio native’s late wife loved Christmas so much that he covered every inch of their house, including the yard, with tinsel, Santa figurines, and singing doormats. It’s been open year-round for over 20 years!
Santa Claus Museum The town of Santa Claus, Indiana did not take off until 1914 when the postmaster started to answer children’s letters. The museum serves as headquarters for Santa’s Elves who answer all the letters. You can see the typewriter that was once used by them as well as old postcards from Santa Lands that no longer exist.
North Carolina’s Aluminum Tree and Aesthetically Challenged Seasonal Ornament Museum (or the ATOM) Open since 1997, this is the world’s only museum dedicated to the preservation and public display of strange and vintage aluminum trees. Some decorations include Wizard of Oz, Elvis, and Tammy Faye Baker.
Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum Started in Washington state almost 20 years ago, “to foster…the interest…of the importance of nuts in the diets of humans throughout history and in the evolution of the nutcracker”. The museum has over 6000 nutcrackers.
World’s Largest Snowman This 44-foot tall statue in North Saint Paul was constructed in 1972 before it was moved to its current location in 1990.
Arizona’s Mystery Christmas Tree Driving north on I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff a Juniper tree has been mysteriously decorated with Christmas decorations on an annual basis for the last 20 years. Come mid-January, the tree’s 15 minutes are up.
Indiana’s Jess Prudencio/David Hamrick Hallmark Ornament Museum Located in the back of a 12,000 square foot Gold Crown Hallmark store, this museum displays the only complete collection of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments from the last 40 years. There are over 4,000 ornaments in 30 oak cabinets. That’s a lot to take in!
Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising This one might seem random but with a focus on the history of consumption from the last 100 years (basically lots and lots of stuff) this museum is really what Christmas is all about…or at least in modern society.
Singing Christmas Tree The small Michigan city of Muskegon celebrates the holidays with 300 singers from the Mona Shores High School Choir standing on 15 rows of tiers on a 67-foot tall steel structure shaped like a tree.
Honorable Mention: The 100-year-old Christmas cat quartet at Supreme Burgrave’s House in Prague Castle
