TulaneLSU's Top 10 Dillard's New Year's sale purchases

Dear Friends,

What a glorious morning! Weeks of planning and a year of saving have come down to this morning. I will be short with my words because I have much to do still, but I wanted to share with you my top ten purchases this morning.

Let me first tell you that it was well worth my time to get to Dillard's over two hours before opening. Collectors and professional resellers use this sale to stockpile their collections, so the competition is fierce. This year was no exception. For the large majority, the crowds were decidedly polite and friendly. There were a few smokers and attempted line-cutters. One trend I noticed this year and find very troubling are people with walkers. Several got there just 15-20 minutes before opening and went straight to the door. I do not believe their physical handicaps give them a priority in line. Perhaps that is coldhearted of me, but they have every opportunity to bring a chair and join us in line several hours earlier. It really drew my ire when one of the walkers put his walker to the side just as he entered the door and ran in to get some nutcrackers. More on that later.

While I make it my practice to get in and out in under 30 minutes, there are still many deals to be had. Being first in and first to the register really saves hours of time, though. So next year, plan ahead like I did. The time you put into the front end may seem excessive. In the end, though, it saves you time. By the time I left the lines were at least an hour long. That hour or two of practice and drills last night doesn't now seem so mad as a March hare, does it?

Behold, TulaneLSU's top 10 Dillard's New Year's sale purchases. BTW, is it New Year's, New Year, or New Years? I've always wondered that.

10. Sharply cut glass balls



These beauties, of which I purchased three, look like Waterford, feel like Waterford, and catch the light like Waterford, but they are unbranded Dillard's glass ornaments. With a diameter of 10", they are quite big and will cause some storage problems. Nonetheless, they are going to be fantastic on one of the trees next year. Original cost $18 each. Sale cost $4.50.

9. Trimsetters garland trim



My garlands are going to be national award winning next year. I went overboard at Walmart, and really overboard at Dillard's. The Dillard's quality is so much greater than Walmart, though. Really night and day. I'll have a nice mixture of cheap and luxurious garlands for the different rooms. I grabbed so many of these and I wisked through the aisles and a few bags of trimmings not photographed. I probably looked like Larry Foster running through the Quad. Original cost: $18-48. Sale cost: $4.50-$12.

8. Christopher Radko garland balls



I'm a little disappointed that Christopher has joined legions of Americans before him and betrayed good taste by producing a cheaper line of goods made in China. But his retro garland balls are fabulous. Original cost: $28. Sale: $7.


7. Hand carved manger set



It's simple and beautiful. Let the pieces do the typing. Original cost: $80. Sale cost: $20.


6. Waterford crystal cross ornament



As most of you know, I do not like crosses with adornment or as decorations. Except at Christmas. I don't know why I make this exception, but Christmas crosses are so beautiful and I love them all. Unlike a lot of Waterford ornaments, this piece really gathers and reflects light in such a beautiful pattern. And I love the chiseled texture to my fingers. Original cost: $60. Sale cost: $15.

5. Ne’Qwa hand painted ornaments by Dona Gelsinger



This "Peace on Earth" Ne'Qwa was the best of the remaining ornaments. These are each hand painted from inside the glass with a special brush. If you've never personally experienced Ne'Qwa ornament making, make sure you do before you die. Original cost: $60. Sale cost: $15.

4. Ulbricht Nutcracker and the Mouse King







Less than 5% of nutcrackers purchased in America today are from Germany, where nutcrackers were invented. During the 80s, most nutcrackers produced for American consumption were from Taiwan, but since the 90s, China, with its cheap materials and labors, has become the rat king. Most Americans have very shameful taste in nutcrackers. But those who are unafraid of refinement know that wood cannot be more beautiful than with Ulbricht! The Nutcracker and the Mouse King will join the family's Ulbricht nutcracker collection. Only the finest nutcrackers on my mantle.

That man with the walker? The professional reseller from above? Yeah, he tried to grab these from me, but my nutcracker game was skrong. You would need to a saw to remove my hands because not even a crowbar would pry these from my grip. Original cost: $289 each. Sale cost: $72.75 each.

3. Trimsetters cloisonné animal ornaments



Trimsetters upped its game this year with even better cloisonne' ornaments than years past. I purchased the hummingbirds, leopards, reindeer, and a mouse king. They are architecturally astonishing and the colors, dare I say it, are just perfect. Original cost: $48 each. Sale cost: $12 each.

2. Christopher Radko ornaments



You knew this was coming, didn't you? The Radko selection was quite low this year and within two minutes of doors opening, all Radkos were gone. I'd like to think my prating about Radkos being great gifts played a part in this year's inventory being so depleted. CE Tiger encouraged me to get Mr. Bingle, who is cute. Quite an interesting insider's joke that he is hanging out at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann. The Holy Family ornament is more beautiful on its backside. Truly a collectible. Original cost $75 and $80. Sale cost: $18.25 and $20.

1. Roman Holy Family plaster set



This half life-sized set originally goes for nearly $1000 and was the holy grail of Christmas decorations this year throughout the entire New Orleans Metro. I made a beeline to it and stuck a giant TulaneLSU sticker on these figures. I shall display these year round. How much more beautiful than a trophy fish or a deer's head. The detail is spectacular. I'm sitting here in adoration. May these figures bring my focus to that which is truly sacred and holy. Original cost: Joseph $400; Mary $225; Jesus $80. Sale cost: Joseph $100; Mary $56.25; Jesus $20.

Dearest of friends, I am exhausted. May God bless you and may you find and share love everywhere.

Sincerely,
TulaneLSU