Musical Santa Claus (1973)

The Santa Claus head uses a clockwork mechanism to drive an internal musical box cylinder that plays "Jingle Bells" continuously while the head rotates on its stand. As energy is lost through friction, the clockwork mechanism runs down, slowing both the music and rotation speeds until it comes to a natural stop, requiring the mechanism to be re-wound for the process to continue.
Owing to the age of this ornament, the plastic housing is quite brittle, and has had to be repaired over the years. The metal socket that the plastic base fits into for winding the mechanism has distorted the plastic slightly over the years, causing the head to lurch forward as the weight is re-distributed.

[@joeblogs-vx4ep]

Am i the only miserable old git whos bemoaning the feeling that Christmas isn't Christmas anymore 😢

[@StreetLightOnline]

Not the only one at all - I think the same thing!

[@joeblogs-vx4ep]

​@@StreetLightOnline yes it's very sad 😢

[@StreetLightOnline]

That's probably why I go to town with the decorating, despite living alone and not having anyone else to appreciate my efforts!