The Paper Christmas Guys of Chicago's Randolph Street Market
For James and Steve, the duo otherwise known as the Paper Christmas Guys, Christmas is a year-round affair. The spirited duo have run the popular Paper Christmas Guys booth at Randolph Street Market's Holiday Market since the event's inception 8 years ago and are back this year with their impressive collection of vintage Christmas finds.
For James, collecting has been a hobby spanning more than 40 years, beginning with Matchbox cars and baseball cards as a child. His first memories of Christmas collectibles are of his grandmother's Italian ident ornaments and plastic German angels. These precious items were always the last decorations packed and the first to unpack the following year, and can be found adorning James and Steve's holiday tree to this day.
Today, James and Steve maintain their own growing Christmas collection, much of which is on display in their home year-round. James claims to have a "soft spot" for Christmas linens, because each one tells a great story, while Steve has a serious penchant for nativities (and estimates they own more than 300!). Steve explains that part of the beauty of collecting is actually using and displaying their collections, not just tucking them away for safe keeping.
12 years ago, James' and Steve's affinity for collecting became a full-time venture, and thus the Paper Christmas Guys as a business was born. They source new items for their shop year-round and are always excited for new and returning customers to scour their latest finds. This year, the Paper Christmas Guys predict popular trends will include mid-century modern decorations, mid-century ornament, and 1940s/1950s plastics, and as always, glass bead garland.
When asked what keeps their customers coming back year after year to Paper Christmas Guys, James and Steve echoed, "it's our love of it, of doing this, we are honest, friendly and love what we do." See for yourself by visiting James and Steve at this year's Holiday Markets at Randolph Street Market on the dates listed below and preview some of their favorite holiday items for sale at their booth here:
