Buckeye Fan Santa

Buckeye Fan Santa

became a fan of the OSU Buckeyes when I moved to Columbus and learned to appreciate the sport of American football. Since I grew up in Venezuela, American football was foreign to me. It was not until my daughter’s high school years that I realized the complexity and strategy of this sport. As I chaperoned the Friday night high school games, I became hooked. So, in 2019, I created the Buckeye Fan Snowman ornament to celebrate American football. After seeing how well my customers had received this first Buckeye-themed ornament, I decided to add the Buckeye Fan Santa to the Santa Claus collection as well.

Buckeye Fan Santa Ornament Design Process

A Simple Question

Have you ever wondered why our American Santa Claus outfit is red, scarlet red to be precise? Well, I have. You know me, my inquisitive mind always ponders on simple questions that most adults usually do not. Just like a toddler, I keep asking ‘But why?’ Maybe it is my Business Systems Analyst trained mind, which is always trying to find the right question to ask. Nevertheless, I pondered this question for many years, until I found a perfectly logical explanation.

Years ago, I wrote a letter to Santa asking him that quite simple question. But, to this day I am still waiting for a reply. The thing is, letters to Santa get prioritized since he receives so many. Unfortunately, mine is most likely at the bottom of the slush pile. First, come the letters of children’s Christmas wishes. Second come any letters related to Santa’s Workshop operations and management. Next comes any mail related to Mrs. Claus baking and cooking activities. Somewhere in between, are the letters about keeping the North Pole stables properly staffed and stocked with fodder for the reindeer. And letters about the seasonal help, which include coordination with Antarctica’s penguins, the Elf Master, and all snowmen. On top of that, each of these mail categories have their own sub-priorities. For example, the children’s Christmas list letters are prioritized by nice or naughty. And within these, by youngest to oldest. So, as you can imagine, the letter of an adult (mature adult) hardly sees the top of the pile. So, I was left to make my own conclusion.

An Unproven Conclusion

One day, as I was watching the OSU Buckeyes beat their lifetime rivals from up north, I closed my eyes and imagined Santa having a Christmas football game with all his crew, out in the snow. Just having plain good old fun, right before embarking on his yearly Christmas Eve journey around the globe. And that is how I was convinced that the reason Santa’s outfit is scarlet red, is his absolute love for football and the great OSU football team. Indeed, Santa Claus is an OSU Buckeye Fan!

So, as you can imagine, it was impossible not to include the Buckeye Fan Santa ornament as part of the Santa Claus Ornaments collection.

The Design of the Buckeye Fan Santa

I gave this Buckeye Fan Santa Claus a traditional hat. Although, instead of his iconic red hat, I made the hat from cotton fabrics with OSU Buckeye prints in scarlet and gray colors. Sometimes, when you crack open a Buckeye pod, you can find teeny tiny buckeyes. I used these buckeyes to decorate the hat along with berries and beads. Then I trimmed the hat with white pipe-cleaners.

I used cardboard tubes to make the body of the Buckeye Fan Santa Claus ornament. My husband found these tubes for me at a garage sale many years ago. I used red cotton fabric to cover the tubes for Santa’s red suit. Then, I gave him a bag full of toys. I used a different OSU Buckeye print fabric to make his bag. And I placed the bag on his back. I used a silver and gray ribbon to tie it. Similarly, I made his cape with another OSU Buckeye print fabric. Then, I gave Buckeye Fan Santa a pair of black boots and a black belt with a silver buckle to complete his outfit. Finally, I gave him a football that he is ready to throw as he plays football with his North Pole crew.

Specifications

Year Designed

2021

Size

Actual sizes may vary slightly, approximately 2.0” x 2.0” x 4.0”

Materials

Cardboard, fabric, trims, felt, pipe-cleaners, ribbons, beads, pompoms, paint, buckeyes, buttons.

Note: Given the handmade nature of the ornament, all ornaments are different. The pictures depict just one sample of the ornament.