Dollmakers on Thursday: The Father Christmas Figure

Why Father Christmas? 

 Partly because I'm British and Educated Middle Class (it's a burden, I know). There was a terse comment in a British magazine that said you could tell if someone was middle class because they called the chap in the red suit and boots with a sack of toys 'Father Christmas' and not Santa Claus or Santa. 

They were being snarky, too...

Either way, this seems the time to embrace a doll that is universally accepted by everyone who celebrates this season.  He is welcome in all forms, from the young and lusty giant that is the The Ghost of Christmas Present'

 to a jolly old elf shamelessly touting soda.

(You will have to mentally apply your own image here.

 I'm not fighting Coca Cola for copyright))

Here are some inspiring artist made dolls

Father Christmas William Bezek

This splendid fellow is, unfortunately, sold. 

And I'm not surprised. He's a dear.  

For more on how he was made, thee's some information here.

For more works by 

William Bezek, 

see his Etsy shop here, and for 

new works and 

general all round inspiration, see his blog, here.

There's a pretty AMAZING door wreath, 

which I've featured here.

You want something more rustic, more Prim? 

How about a Santa Claus stump doll?

This glorious chap is made by the very talented 

Bethann Scott at The Stitch Fiddler

if you want something very glamorous, 

how about these by Cynthia Finnerty.

A green one in scalamandre silk

And this one. I, personally, have a weakness

 for  Father Christmases who looks like 

Gandalf the White.

One more?

Here's  a golden one with a fairy.

Have you been good?

I hope so. 

Apparently. he makes this list and checks it twice!

I mean, how does he have the time?

It's Christmas!

Do you, maybe, prefer cloth dolls,

 and Santas you can hug?

Do you like your Father Christmases 

to induce a warm smile

or a chuckle?

How about cloth Santas you can make?

and treasure for years?

These are all made by the wonderfully talented Deanna Hogan 

The patterns for these are all available here. 

or on Deanna's Etsy,

if you're not sure what kind of Father Christmas you like, 

there's literally a line up here. 

From 

Papa Noel

To a Victorian Santa

How about a traditional Santa, for your 19th Century mantel display? 

These, made to traditional German methods by Two Sisters Studios, 

look like you found them in a locked chest of memories in your Great Aunt's attic.

These are some of my favourites.

 If you have your own, 

feel free to add to your comments.

 I'd love to see.

I have an ulterior motive for posting these.
Crafters who are anxious about making their own dolls

 will often venture out into making a Santa for Christmas decor.

 It's a doll everyone can make with confidence.

If you make a Santa, I'd love to see.

 If you make a Santa and decide you enjoyed it, 

branch out into other dolls. 

I'll hold your hand.

 I promise!