When I moved out of my childhood home nearly twenty years ago, I brought my Smurf collection with me. They are just about the only childhood toy(s) I still have. Well, it was the seventies - there weren't too many toys to be had! We could make an entire day out of a hand me down bicycle or a newly discovered spot in the woods. I do remember one Christmas though, when under the tree was a ceramic tea set and a play kitchen set made out of metal. I think it was avocado green and had Holly Hobbie on the front. That was quite an extravagant year!
Anyway... the Smurfs come out just once a year, during the Holiday season. They are packed away with our decorations, and make their silly appearance each December along with special ornaments, tree toppers, stockings, and twinkly lights. I'm not sure which is stranger; the fact that I still display my childhood Smurf collection, or that we call these little creatures Christmas decorations! Strange or not, it sure is a tradition around here.
