The holidays are a show of collective spirit

FORT WORTH, Texas — It all began innocently enough. An inexpensive purchase here. Another there. Before these folks knew it, though, these purchases had become collections and the budgets for adding to them inevitably grew a bit.

We asked readers to share their holiday collections with us and happily sorted through about 100 entries. We saw lots of tiny villages, many Santa and angel collections, and some fun assemblages of old-fashioned toys. It was difficult to narrow the field down, but we focused on those that we thought showed a wide range in tastes and personalities.

Here's what made us say "Wow." We hope you enjoy them, too.

Myrtis Parker

A retired music teacher, Parker has filled her house with African-American artwork, books and figurines. But her African-American collection of Christmas collectibles is easily her most extensive. She didn't set out to have a collection, either.

"I would be out and see a piece and say, 'I have to have this,'" she said. "And every year I would get another piece. It's a Santa or whatever I find."

Age: 67

What she collects: African-American Christmas decorations, from ornaments to Santas to Nativity scenes to nutcrackers, carolers and angels. She estimates she has at least 100 pieces, and it takes about one month to set them all up. "It takes about two or three months to take it all down," she said.

How she got started: She began collecting in the 1980s. "When we started collecting, it wasn't that hard, but it's become increasingly difficult," Parker says. "You can usually find one African-American piece at a store. But it's usually just one."

Why she loves the collection: When Parker was a little girl, nearly all of the Christmas ornaments and items represented white people. "I just wanted pieces that looked like me," she said. "And I always loved Christmas."

Favorite piece and why: She has a custom Santa Claus that incorporates personal items, including a quilt made by her grandmother in the early 1900s.

Most expensive piece, and hardest to get: The custom-made Santa, which she guesses cost about $200.

Kristy Libotte Keener, Arlington, Texas