WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley’s Passion for Christmas & Annalee Dolls

Mick Foley shares a special holiday tale with Santa at the Annalee Dolls Gift Shop in Meredith, NH.

Mick Foley shares his love of all things Christmas and Annalee Dolls at the Annalee Gift Shop in Meredith, NH.

Annalee dolls are everywhere inside Mick Foley's Christmas cabin in Santa Claus, Indiana.

How WWE Hall of Fame legend Mick Foley found the spirit of Christmas—and why Annalee dolls are part of the journey.

MEREDITH, NH, UNITED STATES, August 24, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- WWE Hall of Fame legend Mick Foley may be best known as one of professional wrestling's most fearless competitors. But away from the ring, the man behind the legendary personas has spent decades cultivating a very different passion: His love of all things Christmas and Annalee dolls.

Known worldwide for iconic wrestling characters including Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love, Foley said his earliest memories of Christmas centered on family, holiday music, and annual visits to New England. Those trips introduced him to Annalee Dolls, whose handcrafted felt characters became part of his family's Christmas tradition.

During a recent visit to Annalee Dolls in Meredith, New Hampshire, Foley shared his story about his lifelong love of Christmas and Annalee and how it continues today through an extensive Annalee doll collection displayed in his historic log cabin in Santa Claus, Indiana.

Foley's collection includes both vintage Annalee pieces and newer designs, with many rare figures sourced through online collectors and auctions. He estimates the collection spans multiple decades of Annalee history and serves as the centerpiece of the elaborate holiday displays inside his early-1800s log cabin.

"I want people to feel like they are engaged in an actual moment," Foley said of the immersive Christmas scenes he creates. "When I open that door, I'm kind of in a safe place where I relive my childhood and think happy thoughts."

The connection between Foley and Annalee first became public in 2001 during his appearance on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, when Foley was asked about reports of a dedicated Christmas room in his home. During the nationally televised exchange, Foley enthusiastically mentioned that he collected Annalee figures, prompting the New Hampshire company to reach out after seeing the broadcast.

While fans often associate Foley with the physically punishing matches that defined his wrestling career, his life outside the ring has long reflected a commitment to charitable work and bringing joy to others. Over the years, he has volunteered with children's organizations, supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visited wounded service members, and helped fund educational initiatives internationally. Following his wrestling career, Foley also attended professional Santa Claus school, experiences later chronicled in his memoir Saint Mick and the documentary I Am Santa Claus.

For Foley, Christmas collecting represents something much deeper than seasonal decorating.

"As soon as I see an Annalee doll, I think Christmas," Foley said. "They represent a nice reminder of how simple and kind life can be."

His displays feature everything from vintage mice and reindeer to elaborate winter village scenes complete with skating ponds, sledding hills, woodland animals, and hand-carved sleighs. Foley says he intentionally combines pieces from different eras, appreciating both their craftsmanship and the expressive personalities that have defined the dolls for generations.

When asked what kind of Annalee figure he would design himself, Foley didn't choose a wrestler or even Santa Claus. Instead, he envisioned a young child in pajamas holding a Christmas gift, with "the magic of Christmas reflected in his eyes"—an image that reflects the childlike wonder he believes remains at the heart of the holiday season.

At the conclusion of his visit to Annalee, Foley reflected on what Christmas means after decades of entertaining millions of fans and portraying one of the world's most recognizable wrestling personalities.

"Love," he said. "Where you have Santa, you have love. And where there's love, you find God. It's just a reminder that this is a special time."

Foley's story offers a rare glimpse into the private life of one of sports entertainment's most recognizable figures, revealing that behind the hardcore persona is someone whose greatest passion may simply be preserving the magic of Christmas—one Annalee doll at a time.

To read the complete story about Mick Foley’s visit to Annalee Dolls and his love of Christmas, click Mick & Annalee.

About Annalee
Founded in Meredith, New Hampshire, Annalee has been delighting collectors for 92 years with its handcrafted, whimsical dolls and seasonal designs. Known for its expressive characters and quality craftsmanship, Annalee continues to inspire traditions and create memories that are treasured by families across generations.

Betsey Pelletier
Annalee Dolls
+1 800-433-6557
betseyp@annalee.com
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