"years later, I noticed the old deerfoot novelty ashtray in Grandpa's garage and there were several sets of full size sleigh runners in the barn" -

Reminds me of the incident the lady from Saskatchewan told me about ... She grew up on a farm, and one Christmas Eve, Santa Claus actually CAME RIGHT IN THROUGH THE KITCHEN DOOR, and gave presents to the kids. Directly. Into their hands. But then, she said, she always kind of wondered why Santa had that cowshit on his boots ...