Dick and Nancy Moore were high school classmates - and, at the time, had no idea they would celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary together. After college, Dick entered the Air Force and become a fighter pilot. Nancy completed her education and was certified as a special education teacher. Together they were stationed around the world, spending 23 years in Germany.

Nancy started painting when she was 45. Since then, she has studied under master artists Jo Sonja Jansen and Heidi England. During their last tour to Germany, Dick, then 50, took the opportunity to learn woodcarving from master carver Franz Binder in Kundl, Austria. They combined their skills to create a few Santas for friends. Word of mouth requests for their work turned their hobby into a year-round activity for them. Their collection now includes about 25 different Santas generally based on a European holiday custom or tradition.

The Moores create their Old World Santas in the European St Nicholas/Father Christmas tradition. Dick carves each Santa from basswood using Austrian Stubai carving chisels, spending from 40 to 50 hours on each one. Nancy then paints each one.

Since their return to the United States in 1991, they have been featured in numerous magazines as well as on Cable News Network.