Charlotte-area woman has collected more than 1,000 Santas

Every Santa in Nancy Kudwa’s home tells a story.

The framed St. Nick cradling a swaddled baby on the mantel was used to announce her daughter’s first pregnancy; the dancing Santa next to the stairs sings her husband’s favorite song, “Old Time Rock and Roll;” and the five wooden Santas in colorful robes on a shelf in the living room were picked out during a trip to Russia.

The 64-year-old interior designer began collecting Santas 41 years ago, starting with two that fit in the palm of her hand. They belonged to her mother, whose well-decorated home inspired Kudwa’s collection that now numbers more than 1,000.

“It’s kind of like living in Macy’s Christmas department,” Kudwa said.

They cover every conceivable surface – several shelves, a magazine basket, the fireplace mantel, furniture. Some sport the traditional bright red costume, while others are more subtle.

But only half the collection is on display this year in the Kudwas’ 3,800-square-foot home near Lake Wylie in York County, S.C.

Santas with bears are clustered on the end of a table behind the sofa. Santas that move or sing line the surface in front of the fireplace. Santas with references to baking or cooking go in the kitchen.

There are elf-like Santas and Father Christmas-esque Santas; Santas fishing on boats, tinkering in workshops, riding on motorcycles and – her favorite – stuffed in a telephone booth with all his reindeer.

She talks to them with the same level of affection one might give a family pet, greeting them every day with a “Morning, boys!”

“The Santa brings out the kid in all of us,” she said, explaining that her collection is a labor of love.

It takes her about two weeks to set up for Christmas, one of which is entirely dedicated to her Santas. In fact, in the new house they’re building now, they’ve a room just for Santa storage.

Fewer than 50 have come as gifts, usually from her two now-grown daughters and sometimes from her husband, former Marine Bob Kudwa, 67.

“It’s just a part of Christmas,” he said. “I complain about the time it takes, but it’s just gorgeous.”

Nancy Kudwa’s only rule: “They have to have great faces.”

Everyone from the ladies in her bridge group to her carpenter’s children have come to the house to see the collection, and no one leaves without a smile on their face, she said.

The Kudwas have moved 16 times, mostly because of Bob’s career in the Marines and, later, as an executive with American Airlines. But Nancy has never lost or broken a single Santa.

In the spring, her collection will make its 17th move just down the street to the couple’s new home.

With more than 7,000 square feet to fill – all her Santas will be on display next Christmas.

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 12:45 PM with the headline "Charlotte-area woman has collected more than 1,000 Santas."