Celebrating 40 years of the Critter Sale
This year, the Brandywine’s beloved Critter Sale turns 40—a milestone for a holiday tradition that has delighted generations of visitors. Each winter, thousands of whimsical Critter ornaments—handcrafted entirely from natural materials including teasel, pinecones, acorns, and seed pods—find their way from the Brandywine's volunteer worktables to the homes of Critter collectors near and far.
A Brief History
The Critters’ story begins in 1971, shortly after the Museum opened, when co-founder George A. “Frolic” Weymouth asked a pair of volunteers to decorate a “natural Christmas tree” for the holidays. In the years that followed, the volunteers began hand making ornaments with materials foraged from the landscape, and in 1984, Brandywine was invited to decorate a White House Christmas tree with more than 3,000 Critters. After the tree was taken down, Brandywine wondered what to do with all those ornaments. An assortment of Critters found their way into the Smithsonian's permanent collection. Then, in February 1985, Brandywine decided to host its first Critter Sale for the remaining ornaments—all of which immediately sold out in one day, raising $18,000 for the Museum.
Since then, the Critter team has grown to more than 130 volunteers who work year-round crafting over 10,000 ornaments each season. Critters range from woodland favorites like owls, reindeer, and rabbits to elaborate tableaus featuring kayakers, musicians, and even bicyclists. Each one is made with glue, tweezers, patience, and a spark of imagination.
Crafting Joy, One Critter at a Time
For Cathy Wakefield, a retired schoolteacher who has been a Critter volunteer for the past 12 years, the work is as meaningful as it is enjoyable. “It’s such a joy to me, and it’s wonderful to bring that joy to other people,” she says, recalling the countless faces she’s seen light up upon seeing the whimsical creations. “This has been the biggest joy in terms of volunteering that I’ve had in the last 14 years of retirement.”
The spirit of the program also continues to draw in new generations of Critter makers. Volunteer Trisha Kumar, now in her fourth year, first heard about the program during the pandemic after running into Cathy, who lived nearby, on walks around the neighborhood. “I’ve lived in Chadds Ford my whole life, and the Critters feel very Chadds Ford—very of the area,” she says. “Participating has been a great way to connect with the community and a unique way to fundraise for the Museum.”
Trisha has also brought her own playful spin to the tradition with limited-edition "pop culture" Critters inspired by Philadelphia's favorite sports teams. “On a whim I made a Jason Kelce Critter, and it just went from there,” she recalls, after her line of Philadelphia Eagle Critters went viral. “The next year, people kept asking about Gritty—everybody wanted a 'Gritty' Critter. And if people are asking…” she laughs, hinting that this year’s lineup may include more hometown favorites. “Everyone’s excited for the Super Bowl this year, so I’ve been figuring out ways to make them extra special.”
The annual sale has raised nearly $2 million to date, which supports the Museum's art education and programming each year. But for the Critter makers, it’s the sense of tradition, creativity, and community that keeps them coming back year after year. As the Brandywine celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Critter Sale, these whimsical ornaments remain a joyful expression of holiday spirit—rooted in Chadds Ford and cherished far beyond.
