Cherish
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.” -Ebenezer
It's Hard To Tell When a Tradition Begins…
Scrooge
As we embark on a new milestone in our history, we are pleased to share with you our 2024 Chalkware and Ornament collections. These collections, featuring chalkware designed by Judi Vaillancourt and ornaments designed collaboratively by Judi and her son, Luke M. Vaillancourt, hold significance beyond the stunning details of each piece. Each item embodies the spirit of Christmas, its traditions, and the bright hope for future celebrations while cherishing the customs of the past.
This year has seen several celebrations marking Vaillancourt’s 40th anniversary, including unique and limited edition designs—sorry, the Limited Edition 40th Anniversary Santa that we introduced during Premier Number Weekend in April was quick to sell out that weekend! One highlight that should not be missed is the publication of the second edition of Gary Vaillancourt’s book, It’s Hard to Tell When a Tradition Begins... This edition includes a new foreword that reveals an emotional story about discovering the Vaillancourt family’s roots and their unlikely connection to Christmas. It was almost like destiny when Gary and Judi visited a 13th-century Church, coincidentally named for St. Nicholas, where the first Vaillancourt to come to the Americas has his records of baptism.
Since 1984, Vaillancourt has been delighted to share the Chalkware collection with you through a print catalog, albeit the 1980s version was a much simpler format! This year, we are even more excited to continue the print catalog tradition as we celebrate the magic of the season with you, unveiling our 40th Anniversary collection: Cherish.
“The Snowball Series”
A Series of Chalkware & Ornaments
Snowballs carry rich symbolism during Christmas, embodying the playful and magical spirit of the season. They evoke images of winter wonderlands, childhood fun, and festive snowball fights. Their pure, white appearance symbolizes purity and peace, while their role in playful battles fosters a sense of camaraderie and joy.
Snowballs thus remain a quintessential part of the Christmas celebration.
In 2021, inspired by a custom snowflake glitter, Judi turned to this symbol with her introduction of The Snowball Series. Beginning with a Traditional Red Santa Snow Balls™ Ornament, the collection has expanded to include two ornaments and two chalkware pieces (not to mention two custom exclusives). The idea of the snowball is not new; however, this application of combining fun and tradition marks the start of a popular new series.
Chalkware Released from Exclusivity
BLUE SNOWFLAKE SANTA ON SNOWBALL
4.25 × 4.5 × 8 in VFA Nr. 23066, $300
Glass Ornament
SNOW BALLS™ GINGERBREAD COAT
SANTA HUGGING SNOWBALL
4 × 3 × 4.5 in VFA Nr. OR22510, $70
Chalkware
2023 SANTA FALLING OVER SNOWBALL WITH TEDDY
4 × 7.25 × 6 in VFA Nr. 23031, $300
NORDIC SANTA WITH TREE
Limited Edition of 500
3.0 × 2.25 × 5 in VFA Nr. 24030, $225
While this year is significant for our business, it is equally special as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of our limited edition Starlight Santa. As in the past, we’re pleased to donate a portion of proceeds to benefit UMass Chan Medical School’s Children’s Medical Center’s Child Life Program. This year’s design features a wonderful Nordicinspired Santa with a cooler palette of whites and blues. His round face and jovial shape convey the season’s wonderment in a lighthearted manner. A consistently sold-out piece, we hope you bring this cherished item home, knowing it supports those dear to our hearts.
BURGUNDY WINE SANTA
$270
2024 AMERICAN SANTA
2.25 × 4 × 8 in VFA Nr. 24034, $260
When asked about an unexpected symbol of Christmas for the Vaillancourts, many might be surprised the answer: the woven basket. This symbol has deep roots in our history, predating the original “and friends” tagline of the ‘80s when we showcased our products at Americana-style craft shows, where “folk art” often included handmade items like woven baskets. Today, baskets can be found throughout our collection, including the popular Nantucket Basket in many nautical Santa designs. For 2024, our traditional Red Santa, holding a woven basket filled with bottle brush Christmas trees, combines modern flair with nods to early American life.
RED SANTA WITH WOVEN BASKET OF TREES
2.5 × 3.5 × 9 in VFA Nr. 24038, $260
SANTA HOLDING CARDINAL
3 × 2.50 × 7.25 in VFA Nr. 24033, $250
RED SANTA WITH VILLAGE SCENE
3.5 × 3 × 7.25 in VFA Nr. 24032, $270
“The Bells”
A Series of Chalkware & Ornaments
Bells carry strong symbolism during the Christmas season, announcing the joyful news of Jesus’ birth and embodying the season’s festive spirit. They call the faithful to worship, represent angelic voices, and are believed to ward off evil spirits. Their harmonious sound symbolizes unity and togetherness, while also evoking tradition and nostalgia. The ringing of bells thus remains a quintessential part of our Christmas celebrations.
Judi has paid careful attention to this symbol with her introduction of The Bells Series— starting in 2022 with the Angel with Bell and continuing today with our Forest Red Santa on Gold Bell, just released from exclusivity. This collection includes the Santa on Gold Bell and the Gold Bell Santa Ornament. As we celebrate 2024, you can expect to find a new bell ornament and look forward to even more additions in the coming years!
SANTA ON HAND BELL
HEIGHT: 5.50 in VFA Nr. OR24505, $70
SANTA GOING DOWN CHIMNEY
HEIGHT: 5.00 in VFA Nr. OR24506, $85
CHRISTBAUMSCHMUCK SANTA WITH ARCH & KUEGELS
HEIGHT: 5.50 in VFA Nr. OR24507, $80
SANTA IN NANTUCKET BASKET
HEIGHT: 5.50 in VFA Nr. OR24508, $100
2024 Still mouth-blown & painted in Poland
CHRISTMAS MITTEN WITH TEDDY
HEIGHT: 5.50 in VFA Nr. OR24509, $75
SNOWBALLS™ SANTA LOUNGING ON SNOWBALL
HEIGHT: 3.50 in VFA Nr. OR24501, $95
JINGLE BALLS™ WINTER’S SOLSTICE TREE
HEIGHT: 4.25 in VFA Nr. OR24502, $40
JINGLE BALLS™ SNOWMAN VILLAGE
HEIGHT: 4.25 in VFA Nr. OR24503, $40
HEIGHT: 3.50 in VFA Nr. OR24504, $70
SANTA RIDING POLAR BEAR
In celebration of our 40th Anniversary, we’ve expanded our Museum Vault Collection — a rotating collection of original Vaillancourt Chalkware and Ornaments representing some of the most essential Vaillancourt collectibles. Most emerge from long-term storage, while others have been deaccessioned from private collections due to their rarity and importance. To preserve the historical accuracy of these pieces, some may have been touched up or re-bottomed, while others reverently unveil the imperfections of the time, whether it’s the original crackle finish used or even the “messy” bottoming and signing that often rendered them illegible. We consider the Museum Vault Collection to be some of the most important pieces in documenting the tradition of Christmas, and we are honored to share them with you.
From the Museum
Rare finds celebrating our past with
2011
2007
AMERICAN CHRISTMAS
SANTA WITH STOCKINGS, CANDY CANES, AND TREES
VFA Nr. 2007-65, $400
1996
7TH ANNUAL STARLIGHT SANTA HOLDING ANGEL
VFA Nr. 9630, $875
SANTA IN SLEIGH WITH NINE REINDEER
VFA Nr. 11027, $1,240
VINTAGE SANTA RIDING DAPPLE GREY
VFA Nr. 15037, $450
2.25
Christmas returns to Massachusetts’ island of Nantucket with the introduction of the 2024 Nantucket Santa!
During the holiday season, one of Nantucket’s most cherished traditions is decorating the Lt. Max Wagner Memorial Fountain on Main Street. Gifted anonymously to the town in 1885, this fountain has been a landmark since its installation in January 1886, initially serving as a watering spot for horses, dogs, and humans, and now as a focal point for local events and gatherings, especially during festivities like Stroll.
Last year, a tragic accident involving a white truck shattered the fountain just before Christmas, causing it to miss the holiday season. Fortunately, meticulous documentation from the 2021 restoration efforts enabled a swift recovery, ensuring that this beloved symbol of Nantucket’s holiday spirit could be restored.
Judi’s artistic tribute for 2024, the Nantucket Santa, continues to honor the island’s Christmas tradition. It depicts Santa adorning the fountain with a wreath on Lt. Wagner’s bronze plaque. Reflecting the Nantucket Garden Club’s attention to detail, the scene includes festive greens and decorations, with a sack of toys at the fountain’s base. The return of this iconic fountain during the holidays brings joy and reaffirms its place as a symbol of Nantucket’s enduring Christmas spirit and is available to take home today!