Memories of Christmas Book

Pipka is the artist who inspired the beautiful Pipka Collectibles. She was raised in Germany and came to America. Her family lived in North Dakota and Minnesota, and she currently lives in beautiful Door County Wisconsin. After relocating in the United States she made frequent trips to Germany, which is why she is so knowledgeable in the Bavarian, old world style of art. Later, after painting a Santa for her mother, Pipka began a lifetime of painting Old Father Christmas images.

Over the years, she has painted hundreds of Old Father Christmas images. This book highlights some of her most popular images and their stories.

Here’s an example: Christmas in Czechoslovakian homes wouldn’t be complete without the nativity scene, complete with the Holy Family, the Christ Child in the manger, Wise Men and all the stable animals. As a little girl in Czechoslovakia, Pipka and her family had a special place for the creche. The Czech Santa brings the creche set along with toys and gifts to families on Christmas Eve. His coat is covered in a pattern of orange poppies, blue cornflowers and daisies, reminiscent of the folk designs seen in Czechoslovakian pottery and symbols of the colorful Czech spirit.