The Survey was conducted from March 15, 2023 12:01 am EDT to April 5, 2023 11:59 pm EDT. The following are the official results of the Survey.
Survey Results
Survey Comments
added October 17, 2023
Author: David C. Nelson
David joined the Golden Glow in September 2012. His first Annual Convention was 2015 Lancaster, attending every convention since. David is the current longest-term Proofreader for The GLOW magazine, having started with the April 2015 issue. In 2020, he served as Co-Editor and Proofreader for the very successful Christmas Cookie Book. He was
appointed as the first “centralized” Board-appointed Convention Registrar in 2016, providing that service for the record-
breaking 2018 Cincinnati Convention. David was appointed Website Coordinator in January 2020. He has always held
a passion for all things Christmas and has collected items that remind him of his childhood. Always fascinated with everything electrical, this naturally extended to Christmas lighting items of all descriptions, but especially bubble lights and small, hard plastic light ups. Since joining the Golden Glow, his interests have focused on Mid-Century Modern Atomic items, particularly Holt Howard Starry-Eyed Santas.
David began developing a broad concept vision for a major refresh and ongoing evolutionary approach to the Golden Glow website in August 2016 after being appointed as the first "centralized" Convention Registrar earlier that year. He was appointed as Website Coordinator in January 2020. David guided the Golden Glow through an open Request for Proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of the website to select a Website Development Firm.
A visit from St. Nicholas
A hand-written and signed copy by Clement Clarke Moore himself
A visit from St. Nicholas.
_______
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all
through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plumbs danced in their heads;
And Mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap;
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
That I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
If they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The pawing and prancing of each little hoof —
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he look’d like a pedlar just opening his pack.
His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook, when he laughed, like a bowlfull of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill’d all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Clement C. Moore
Golden Glow: A Love Story
What will our legacy be?
What will your legacy be?
My great grandmother Mary Lalor left Ireland at age 14. She was one of nine children in Ireland to seek opportunity in America because her family was starving. She went to work for Cornelius Vanderbilt in Newport, Rhode Island at the Breakers Mansion and became an Irish slave or indentured servant for nine years. Many year later, one of her children became the President of the New York Telephone Company.
The world is in disarray and on fire, but a tender blossom still survives in the deepest part of the human soul and kindness of the heart still thrives. Every night I pray for means to be a better person and hold on to my highest convictions as I want to continue to bring hope and comfort to those who are suffering on many different levels. I still believe with all my heart in the magic of Christmas and Santa and the propensity of humans to do good deeds. I feel one’s belief system equates to the hope for the future of all humanity.
I want to express my deepest gratitude for all the brave members of our Board of Directors and the countless hours trying to find the special place for the next convention, work all the logistics for the hotel accommodations, to craft new and innovative ideas to attract new members, but to also manage the expectations of our long-standing members and exude traditional values. Many hours have been spent over the years by the Board getting The GLOW Magazine to its current level of design and sophistication. Our wonderful members who agree to head up a committee, actually make trips to find or assimilate new locations, construct a beautiful piece of Christmas art, pour over a Golden Glow budget that does not balance in the middle of the night, or fret about how to reach more people and retain the members that we already have.
I will use the term “brave” and courageous for our Chair and Board of Directors. We are considered a volunteer organization. I feel that is an oxymoron, but the Board is held to a standard like they were in charge of General Motors, and we respond as aggravated shareholders. I want to reiterate that this is an impossible job. It takes great insight to be the leader as that person is in the forefront of every member’s thought process on how they perceive our organization.
I am so grateful that our group is made up of dreamers, artists, visionaries, salespeople, collectors, historians, entrepreneurs, and family traditionalists. Many, like myself, remember the joy of their family as they experienced Christmas in their youth and want to capture some of that in our current society. The Golden Glow is made up of lovers of Christmas and the celebration of Christmas provides a rich and diverse history. It has been an integral part of society over the last several hundred of years fashioning attitudes about philosophy, history, religion humanity, economics, morality, and politics.
For me, it is wonderful for those seeking knowledge and developing long lasting friendships. I consider myself very lucky to know several of you and am very blessed with your friendship. The dynamic of our group makes it so easy to find kindred spirits regardless of your category of collecting or celebrating Christmas.I have been in the Golden Glow for about 35 years. My goal has been to share my love of Christmas and the spirit of giving and how Santa has played a huge historical part. There are so many members who work hard to give us wonderful experiences of past Christmases.
Communication is the key and we have so many venues now to virtually share our every thought including our own special inside Golden Glow website where members can further their thoughts and delve into their love of collecting.
This should come with a warning caveat of social responsibility.Occasionally, individuals air their grievances with policies and other members with innuendos and actions that fan the fuel of discontent and distrust with no creative solution. This venue has absolutely no place for character assassination in our group or assault on our members. There are always differences of opinions.This is especially poignant for those who freely give their heart and souls on the Board and members of committees who work on the conventions and to develop the structure on which we operate as an organization.
I am so very grateful to all who share their love and passions for collecting and preserving tradition and history of Christmas in the Golden Glow.To those who have hosted a convention, worked in registration, dealt with hotels, the Museum Room, the Sales Room, the Auction, sold raffle tickets, baked cookies, decorated the halls, run for office in the Golden Glow, given a lecture, shared pictures, and written for The GLOW Magazine, and generally been enthusiastic about our beloved hobby, I thank you so very much!
Our organization is truly one of the “Last of the Mohicans” and must be preserved!
Voting Results of 3 Proposed Bylaws Amendments, August 16, 2021
The following matters were up for vote by the Membership between June 1 and August 15, 2021:
Voting Results
June 2021 Proposed Bylaws Amendments
Please email the Chair with any questions you may have at Chair@GoldenGlow.org.
Electronic Voting
An email from AssociationVoting.com will be sent to all members as of May 16 to the email address on record with the Golden Glow. It contains instructions to access your ballot via unique-to-you, secure voting credentials. You simply click the link and vote either Yes or No. If you encounter questions or problems while voting, please use the help form on the login page to send a support request directly to AssociationVoting.com and they will help you.
AssociationVoting.com is also counting hand written ballots mailed to them. All ballots mailed to them must have the required member’s information on them such as name, address, and email address or the vote will not be counted. This ensures each member will receive one vote. If a ballot is received for a member that has already voted electronically, the ballot will be ignored and the electronic vote will count in the election.
One vote per email, and emails can not be forwarded to other members to vote.
Mail-In Ballots
Members mailing in ballots must use the ballot in their June Glow magazine. It contains a watermark that verifies its authenticity. Mail your ballot to the address on the ballot.
Item 1: Terms for Partial Term Appointees
Background: Currently the GGCP bylaws limit Board of Director “BOD” members to two consecutive terms. In the event a vacancy occurs on the BOD, a member will be appointed by the BOD. If an appointment is made prior to the start of the term, the appointee may serve for a total of two consecutive terms, including the term for which he/she is appointed, or a total of 6 years. If an appointment is made anytime (at any time) after the start of a three-year term, the appointee will serve only the remaining time of that term. The appointee may then however run for one additional term. This limits the appointee’s term on the board to less than 6 years. Currently we have a board member that was appointed in the third year of a term, this limits their time on the board to just 4 years. The BOD is asking for a bylaw change to allow for two consecutive elected terms for appointees appointed after the first day of their term.
Current: ARTICLE VII – ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Paragraphs C, G and H:
C. The membership shall be notified in the December and February issues of the magazine that any member wishing to serve on the BOD shall declare their candidacy by submitting a paragraph of 100 to an absolute maximum of 150 words describing their reasons and/or qualifications to serve in this capacity. Paragraphs shall be submitted to the secretary for publication in the April issue and shall be postmarked by the deadline published in the magazine, which shall be three weeks after the approximate delivery of the February issue. Each BOD member may serve no more than two consecutive terms.
G. In the event a vacancy occurs on the BOD, a member will be appointed by a majority vote of the BOD at the first available conference call. In the event of a tie vote, the chairperson‘s vote will determine the appointee. If the BOD makes the appointment prior to the start of the term, the appointee may serve for a total of two consecutive terms, including the term for which he/she is appointed. If an appointment is made anytime (at any time) after the start of a three year term, the appointee will serve only the remaining time of that term. The appointee may then however, run for one additional term.
H. When a Board of Director has completed his/her second term, the individual must wait two years before being eligible to be appointed or elected to the Board of Directors.
Proposed Change: ARTICLE VII – ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Paragraphs C, G and H:
C. The membership shall be notified in the December and February issues of the magazine that any member wishing to serve on the BOD shall declare their candidacy by submitting a paragraph of 100 to an absolute maximum of 150 words describing their reasons and/or qualifications to serve in this capacity. Paragraphs shall be submitted to the secretary for publication in the April issue and shall be postmarked by the deadline published in the magazine, which shall be three weeks after the approximate delivery of the February issue. Each BOD member may serve no more than two consecutive 3-year elected terms.
G. In the event a vacancy occurs on the BOD, a member will be appointed by a majority vote of the BOD at the first available conference call. In the event of a tie vote, the chairperson‘s vote will determine the appointee. If the BOD makes the appointment prior to the start of the term, the appointee may serve for a total of two consecutive 3-year terms, including the term for which he/she is appointed. If an appointment is made anytime (at any time) after the first day of a three-year term, the appointee will serve the remaining time of that term. The appointee may then however, run for two additional elected terms.
H. When a Board of Director has completed his/her second elected 3-year term, the individual must wait two years before being eligible to be appointed or elected to the Board of Directors.
Item 2: Add New Year’s Eve/Day as an additional Holiday
Background: New Years Eve/Day falls within the 12 Days of Christmas before January 5 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany Eve). Confusion exists every New Years on our Facebook Group when members try to post New Year’s cards and decorations, only to have them deleted because they do not fall within the Scope of Holidays in the GGCP Bylaws. The board is asking for New Year’s Eve/Day to be added to the scope of items within the definition of memorabilia covered by the GGCP.
Patriotic décor has traditionally been used to celebrate Christmas, especially during and immediately after times of war. Patriotic décor is currently displayed in the GGCP Museum Room, The Glow magazine, and the GGCP Facebook groups. The BOD wishes to formally acknowledge Patriotic décor, used as Christmas Décor, to be vintage Christmas.
Current: ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of the GGCP shall be to promote, develop and stimulate interest in the historical and educational background of antique and vintage Christmas items and to arouse interest to the enjoyment of collecting and sharing information about Christmas memorabilia through THE GLOW magazine, exhibits and conventions. The GGCP shall apply a sliding 40-year rule to homemade, handmade, produced and manufactured Christmas items. (Sliding 40-year rule is defined as with each new year and each new year thereafter, the acceptable date of items to the GGCP “slides” by one year, for example, in 2014 items made in 1974 and before are acceptable; 2015, 1975 and before is acceptable and so on.)
Proposed Change: ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of the GGCP shall be to promote, develop and stimulate interest in the historical and educational background of antique and vintage Christmas, New Year’s Eve/Day items, and Patriotic décor used as Christmas Décor, and to arouse interest to the enjoyment of collecting and sharing information about these items through THE GLOW magazine, exhibits and conventions. The GGCP shall apply a sliding 40-year rule to homemade, handmade, produced, and manufactured Christmas, New Year’s Eve/Day items, and Patriotic décor used as Christmas Decor.(Sliding 40-year rule is defined as with each new year and each new year thereafter, the acceptable date of items to the GGCP “slides” by one year)
Item 3: Add Flexibility to the number of issues of The Glow Published Annually
Background: Currently GGCP bylaws allow for six issues of The Glow magazine. The BOD is asking for authority to increase or decrease the number of issues published annually.
Current: ARTICLE XV – PUBLICATIONS Paragraph A:
A. The GGCP shall publish a magazine six times a year during the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December.
Proposed Change: ARTICLE XV – PUBLICATIONS Paragraph A:
A. The GGCP shall publish magazines throughout the year at the discretion of the BOD.
An email was sent on June 1, 2021 to your email on record with the Glow. This email will contain a link and easy instructions to vote electronically. If you do not receive an email, or you have questions, please email Joe Meyers at Chair@GoldenGlow.org.
The History of Santa | Santa Claus Collecting
Today’s guest is Tom Jerman, a collector of Santas, who has also written a book about the history of Santas. Learn how he became interested in collecting Santas, why he became fascinated with the history of Santa, and when he decided to join the Golden Glow.
Christmas Wreaths
Roundy green thing
On my door,
Decked with ribbons,
Bows and more.
The scent of pine
From woven leaf,
My lovely, festive,
Christmas wreath.
Wreaths are decorative displays that can be found in homes and businesses throughout the year; however, for many, wreaths are a seasonal decoration, and the holiday most often connected with wreaths is Christmas. Although they have become a holiday tradition, many do not know the long history and assorted meanings associated with wreaths.
The word wreath comes from the word writhen that was an old English word meaning “to writhe” or “to twist”. It is believed that wreaths date back to the Persian Empire, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire. The idea of hanging wreaths was not necessarily done as a home décor idea. Wreaths were often hung on doors as a sign of victory and/ or to signify status in society. Julius Caesar often wore a twisted laurel wreath as a symbol of his importance; but, many believe he was also a little vain and wore them because he was going bald!
Christmas wreaths are also connected with the pagan holiday of Yule which was celebrated by ancient Germanic and Scandinavian peoples. Yule marked the onset of the winter solstice and was a 12-day festival held in honor of the returning sun and the seasonal cycle. Wreaths of greens or straw often contained a five pointed star in the center and were prominent decorations during the celebration.
Perhaps the most well-known use of wreaths comes in connection with Christmas and with Christianity. The circular shape of the wreath is said to symbolize eternity and the unending love of God. In the late 16th century, the use of wreaths during Yule was adopted by Christians and became a custom in the form of an Advent wreath. An Advent wreath was traditionally made of evergreen branches, holly, and red berries. Each of those parts had a significant meaning of its own. The evergreen branches stood for eternal life…ever green. The red berries and the thorny leaves of the holly represented the crown of thorns worn by Christ and His blood shed while wearing it. An Advent wreath was meant to hold 4 candles: 3 purple and one rose. The candles stand for hope, peace, joy (rose), and love, and are placed in the wreath one at a time, one each of the four Sundays that run up to Christmas. Sometimes a fifth candle, which is white, is added to the center. It represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve.
For many people, Christmas wreaths are not meant to be religious symbols. Today a wreath hanging on a door, a municipal light pole, or on your Christmas tree may be inviting the spirit of Christmas into your community or home along with good luck.
For those of us who collect antique and vintage Christmas, wreaths come in many sizes and are made of many different materials. Communities often hung very large wreaths on downtown light poles or on buildings. Some communities still do that today, although, because of cost, we are seeing less and less of these municipal decorations in the center of towns.
You might find wreaths on vintage cards and wrapping paper.
Some ladies might wear a wreath brooch.
There are also lighted wreaths for use in the window, on the wall, or at the top of your tree.
Wreaths come in all sizes, from the very large for hanging over the mantle to very small for hanging on your Christmas tree.
The variety is almost endless and each wreath is a reminder of traditions, colors, lights, and the joy of the Christmas holiday.