The Santa's Workbench Collection at JoAnn's

Today I am finally taking down my Christmas decorations. Partly, to save my husband from any further teasing like he had during the poker game going on at my house last night, and secondly because I had finally had our final official Christmas Party last week. Well today as I lovingly pack all my wonderful memories away til next year I have somewhat of a rant.

For the last several years I have faithfully bought the Santa's Workbench collection of Christmas houses and accessories. I have currently a beautiful village and a little skating pond. I have small figurines in the holiday spirit scattered throughout. It is a very precious part of my Christmas decorating. The great part of this is I have also not paid full retail for a single piece. I prided myself on waiting for after Christmas bargains and using the online and store coupons that Joann's Fabrics puts out periodically. It looks as beautiful as those expensive department 56 brand at a fraction of the cost.

This year JoAnn's decided to go a different route with their village and only produced retro 50's looking pieces. I have to say I was devastated. This is the first year I have not been able to add to my village. Nothing retro fit with the classic and Victorian looks they had been producing for years. Why the sudden change? Surely you knew you had a faithful following out there? I don't even know what company to look for switching to that might be similar and cost effective. I do not plan to spend department store prices on my own whims. I love JoAnn's fabrics usually. I purchase craft kits for my girls and yarn to practice my knitting, I also purchase a ton of scrapbooking supplies from them during their sales, but now I have no reason to go at Christmas time to pick out my new pieces. JoAnn's I am very disappointed and I hope that next year word of mouth will have reached you on how you are losing Christmas revenue from a loyal consumer base.