‘Queen of Christmas’ shows off her collection of 1 million ornaments
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She’s known as the “Queen of Christmas” and once you get a glimpse what’s in her collection, it’s easy to see why.
Not only has 87-year-old Clara Scroggins amass 1 million ornaments since she began her collection in 1972, she also worked with Hallmark to introduce the first African-American Santa ornament, the “Cheerful Santa” in 1992.
Her collection began with a single cross.
“After my first husband suddenly died from a cerebral hemorrhage — just a few weeks before Christmas in 1972 — I came across a second edition Reed and Barton silver Christmas cross and realized there must be a first edition,” Scroggins told “Good Morning America.” “So began the hunt for that first edition ornament as I called all the local stores to find it.”
“At the time, I really needed something to consume me, to help me,” she said. “By the next year, I had collected nearly 1,000 silver and silver-plated ornaments.”
That first cross remains her favorite ornament today.
