Albany’s Merriment Maestro; Santa Claus collector unveils her cherished treasures

ALBANY, Ga. – Meet the Merriment Maestro of Albany! A local lady who is orchestrating a festive symphony full of jolly St. Nicks!

Allow me to introduce you to Katie Fagan, the woman who is turning her home into a festive wonderland.

Mrs. Katie isn’t just decking the halls, she’s dominating them with an collection of Santa Clauses that would even make the North Pole blush.

With over 600 in counting, she’s proving that when it comes to spreading Christmas holiday cheer, she’s got the market cornered on Kris Kringle charm!

Katie provides insight into her extensive collection, shedding light on the different reactions elicited from friends and family members.

“They’re just surprised. I mean, amazed, I guess. I guess, because there’s so many. I would say there’s about 700 or 800, something like that,” said Katie Fagan, Santa Claus collector.

Katie started her love for collecting with African American figures, before African American Santa Clauses were created.

The addition of African American Santa Clauses to the marketplace kickstarted her old Saint Nick collection.

In addition to her expansive Santa Claus collection, Katie boasts a three-dimensional Christmas tree in her home, a project that has been evolving since the 1990s.

Katie shares how much money she has spent on her Santa Claus collection.

“I would just say thousands. Yeah, I wouldn’t know how many thousands, but thousands. Because a lot of them are really expensive. You can get them on sale after Christmas. But, I don’t do that anymore, because I don’t collect anymore. I’m running out of room. Unless they just have a really good price that I can’t resist,” said Fagan.

Among Katie’s cherished Santa Clauses, those holding the most sentimental value are the ones generously gifted to her friends and family.

“Yes, and people give them to me, too. And, the ones that are the most special are the ones that people give me. And, they make me happy, no purpose. I just like collecting. It is always room for one more,” said Fagan.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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