Jingle bells

If you don’t have time for a trip to Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade, you can catch a boat ride from downtown Melbourne on the south bank of the Yarra River to see the little blue penguins. I found this ornament in a news shop not far from where the penguin boats were docked. I bought another penguin — not a Christmas tree ornament but a framed ceramic tile of a little blue penguin — at one of the craft market booths that stretch along the river on the weekend. And not far away from all this is Melbourne Park where they’re playing tennis now at the Australian Open.

Small plush musical penguin that plays “Jingle Bells,” red feet and beak, red Santa hat.

Acquired: November 2004, south bank of the Yarra River, Melbourne, Australia

Number: 251

Price: 2.95 $AUS

Size: 4 inches tall 

Angry angel

I have several penguin angels, and I think they’ve all had a turn at the top of a tree, including this one with his angry, yet adorable face. I love the little sewn on buttons and those plaid wings. He was one of the two ornaments I found at the cavernous Christmas Cave in the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia. I made use of Melbourne’s wonderful and extensive public transportation system to get to the store, but finding this little ornament made the long ride worthwhile.

Raggedy felt penguin angel with plaid wings and an angry expression

Acquired: November 20, 2004, the Christmas Cave, Melbourne, Australia

Number: 250

Price: 5.95 $AUS

Size: About 4.25 inches tall

Together again

Watching the Australian Open tennis over the weekend reminds me of Melbourne, where I found the Christmas Cave, the largest Christmas store in Australia. It might just be one of the largest in the world. When I arrived, several tourist buses were parked on the side streets in the suburbs where it’s located. There were only two penguin ornaments in the whole place, however, and this one was broken when I bought it. It took me several tries to glue the parent and chick together, because it was difficult to find something that worked well on glass. Also, I think these were broken pieces of two separate ornaments that didn’t fit together easily. Finally, after gluing tissue in between the two pieces, I got them to stick, and they’ve been together ever since.

Santa’s Brand crystal parent and chick with black wings, Christmas Cave, Melbourne, Australia

Acquired: November 20, 2004

Number: 249

Price: 9.95 $AUS

Size: About 3.5 inches tall