Hallmark Ornaments

[Kopper]

Does anyone else collect Hallmark ornaments?

My mom got my sister and I hooked when we were young. Each year we could pick out one ornament each. In the last few years things have snowballed since I can afford to buy the ones I want. In the next year or two I will need a second tree just to hang them all! :eek:

This past weekend was the Keepsake Ornament Premiere. I told DH I should start buying the ones I want now so I can spread the expense out! :D

These are the two I bought:
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qx2125b_xxl.jpg

http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg4462_xl.jpg


I entered an ornament drawing and DH called to say I won this one. This is the second year in a row that I won one. Hopefully it will be a colorway like last year.
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qlx7595_xl.jpg

[shopaholic]

I have a few from when I used to work at Hallmark (back in 98-99)

A couple Barbie themed ones, wizard of oz, winnie the pooh.

Now is my first year of having my own tree so I can put them up :)

[TX Sweetheart]

I have a few from when I worked at a Hallmark store about 3 years ago... and DH & I are starting our own collection, beginning with the Our First Christmas 2004 one (we'd lived together for 2 Christmases before that but I went home for Christmas those years)... I dunno what we'll get this year...

[2kCougar]

I just got a care package from my Mom today and there were 5 hallmark ornaments in it. I have had the mini ornaments since they first came out, and my Mom has been collecting them since I was born. My parents have 2 all-hallmark trees in their house.
I got these today:
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxi8762_xl.jpg http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxm8752_xl.jpg http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxm8975_xl.jpg http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxm8965_xl.jpg http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxm8155_xl.jpg
There are still a few more I have to pick up

[TX Sweetheart]

http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg4392_xl.jpg
this is the one we have from last year, except the writing is all gold and it says 2004

http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg4422_xl.jpg
I also want this one

[Chimichanga]

I don't get a certain collection, per se, but I have been getting Hallmark ornaments every year since I was 10 (I'm 26 now). My mom has been buying at least one for my sister and I every year.

My favorite was from DH - it was a wedding gift. It is a silver wedding cake with out wedding date, August 30, 2003, engraved on it.

Our new thing is to buy ornaments from every place we visit. :) We've got quite a few now.

[Kopper]

Woo hoo! People to share my obsession with :)

TX Sweetheart - I'm debating about getting that one. IMO it's not nearly as nice in person as in the picture. I will probably end up getting it b/c I played the piano for 10 years. I might get it for MIL since she is a piano teacher. BTW - once you start collecting it can get addicting :)

2kCougar - Those are so cute. I have a mini tree too that has all Hallmark mini ornaments on it. My tree even lights up :) Have you noticed that so many of the mini series are finishing up this year? I asked a lady at the store and she had no idea. My mom is the one that got me started on Hallmark. She has one main tree and then several small trees. The small ones have individual series on them. She has a Mary's Angels tree, a transportation tree (the motorcycles, cars and trains) for my dad, and another one. I only have one tree right now but it is almost completely full including the back. I have no idea how many Hallmark ornaments I have but it is definitely more than 100. Ebay is a great place to buy them too b/c you can usually get them cheaper than the store.

celicacutie81 - Ohh If I worked at Hallmark I would have serious problem! :) Love the Barbie series. That was actually my first series that I consistently bought every year.

[Kopper]

So if you collect a series, which one(s)?

Right now I collect:
Winter Wonderland - (snowglobes), DH and I started this one the year we were married
Toymaker Santa
Jack-in-the-Box Memories
Sweet Tooth Treats - (cookie jars w/ three sep. cookie ornaments)
Barbie series - I've always loved Barbie :)

Every year MIL gives DH these series:
Classic American Cars
All-American Trucks

Wow so that's at least 7 ornaments we get every year. That doesn't include the 5-10 others I buy. :o

[KristyK]

I love my hallmark ornaments. I spend about $250 each year on them. I collect the Kiddie Car Classics, have all of them. The barbie ornaments. The Mother, Father, Son ones each year. Hmmmm, several others that have escaped my mind now! I also collect several miniature ones. What I hate is when they make cute ones and then they discontinue them. Oh, I have all the Star Wars light up ones. I also have all the extra Star Wars ornaments that aren't light up ones. I have a whole collection of Snoopy light up ones.

I probably have over 200 Hallmark ornaments that I've collected since 1981. I'm very anal about them. Each one is wrapped in the original paper/plastic and still in the original boxes. My DH thinks I'm crazy! LOL

What can I say, I love their ornaments! I never thought about Ebay!! I think I'm going to look now! :D

[Kopper]

Chimichanga - That's exactly how it started for me and now it has snowballed. We also buy ornaments from places we go.

KristyK - I am the exact same way! We have it down to a science. DH takes them off the tree and I put them back in their boxes with all the orignal paper or bubble wrap. It takes several hours but I can't help it :)

Definitely check out Ebay. It's great for older ornaments too. We have a Kohl's that sells them too and right after Christmas they mark them way down even before Hallmark does.

My dad has all the Kiddie Car ones :) Are you a member of the collector's club? I've never joined but I think I will this year since they are having an event in Dallas this year. I also want the Countdown Calendar and you can only get it if you are a member.

http://www.hallmark.com/HallmarkStore/images/Content/kpsks_club_qxc5012.jpg

[KristyK]

I've joined the collectors club several times, got a cute Rudolph one year who's nose lights up! But, I don't do it regularly. That tree is really cute, but our advent calendar my mom made and hand-painted little plaster ornaments to hang on it. I'll never part with that! Plus, I don't have anywhere else to put things! LOL

Oh yeah, do you collect the special ornaments every year? I have a Disney Train set, several Charlie Brown things. They put out a special thing, like one year it was a fireplace, then every week you had to go and collect the next ornament (which were bears) to put on it. I have about a dozen of those things I put our every year. Yep, my DH still thinks I'm nuts!

I have a huge walk-in closet in the basement bedroom, all xmas stuff. That room used to be the playroom, and now that my son doesn't need one, the entire bedroom has turned into a storage room for holiday stuff. Halloween here, Easter over there, yep, I'm a mess! :D

[2kCougar]

Kopper--ooooh, I really like that tree! I've noticed that over the last few years, the series have been really short. I guess it was just a matter of time before they got rid of them.
I mostly collect the tweety birds, corvettes, penguins, and DH has been picking up the star wars ones.

[lady1297]

I've been collecting for ever. But I've been disappointed the past few years. Where's the CHRISTMAS ornaments. I love Barbie and Star wars and cars and stuff, but I want snowmen, Santa's and CHRISTMAS things too. And the choices are SLIM in those categories. I get disappointed.

[Abby'sMom]

Oh yeah, you're my people. ;)

My mom and I collect. When I was in my teens, we started going around to different stores to enter those 'enter to win' drawings on premiere mornings. Mom's actually won several items that way. (I was too young at first.) I didn't pay much attention to them for the 4 years I was in college and then a few years after that, but since then, I've re-adopted the mad-dash-to-many-stores method. I always enter myself and DH. Last fall, DH won 3 ornaments and a huge stuffed Mickey (I was 38 weeks pg at the time so it was great for DD's room). A store called yesterday to tell me I'd won a Toymaker Santa. I'm pretty sure it's a colorway. Yay.

Anyway, I buy the great majority of my ornaments the day after Christmas, since they go on sale. I discovered Kohls had them after Christmas last year, which was rather exciting. Of course, I don't get Gold Crown points for buying them there, but oh well.

My most prized collection is the Frosty Friends series. The creator is coming to one of my local Hallmarks later this year. I also have a hodgepodge of other ones; I do other series, but if I don't like one one year, I just don't buy it.

I'm in the KOC (club) too.

Oh, and eBay IS a good source! That's how I got some of the Frosty Friends ones I missed along the way. There's more of a selection near Christmas time, but they're certainly cheaper at other times of the year!

Phew. I think that's it for now.

[Bellefior]

I don't collect per se, but there are some I buy every year.

We always buy the Lionel Trains--last year's was really cool, the Southern Pacific Daylight Express. I had given DH the real thing from Lionel the year before, he loves trains.

We also get the Old Fashioned Fire Engines that they started making 2 years ago.

And since my Dad bought a house 15 years ago and could have a big tree, I buy him the Dad ornament every year. It's cool to see all the ornaments from the last 15 years!

[apoppy]

My most prized collection is the Frosty Friends series.

My sisters and I have received Hallmark ornaments for Christmas for as long as I can remember. As a result, I have all but the first two Frosty Friends. I really like these ornaments, and they are very sentimental, but they don't go with anything else I own. :rolleyes: I thought they were going to end the series soon, but it seems to keep chugging along. Have you heard anything about an end date?

[SiValleySteph]

My grandmother gets each grandkid a series ornament each year. She started when I was maybe 8 or 9, so I have around 20 and several complete series. I think I have Minature Creches, penguins in eggs (can't remember the name), Mr. & Mrs. Claus on Vacation, Peanuts and now I'm on the "Cool Decade" series. I use the Hallmark ornaments on our tree filled in with colored balls. :D

I was a little dissapointed that she didn't start my son with a series last year (his 1st Christmas), but I'm guessing keeping up with all the grandkids was taking enough time without adding on great-grand kids. I'll have to start a collection for my son.

[greenbunny]

I never buy ornaments for myself, in my family we all buy one for every other person every year (I'm an only child, it isn't as expensive as it sounds!). Sometimes we got hooked on series, but not always. I also have the Frosty Friends, that's the eskimo with the penguins and seals, right? They're so cute.

We usually buy whatever is relevant to our lives that year, or hobbies we enjoy. I've gotten my dad a few of the planes series but he says they get to be the same after a while.

Lately I've gotten into the miniature ornaments more. They're so cute and some of the regular ornaments are so heavy, I hate when the tree looks all droopy.

[shopaholic]

celicacutie81 - Ohh If I worked at Hallmark I would have serious problem! :) Love the Barbie series. That was actually my first series that I consistently bought every year.
I never made a paycheck, because all my $ went back into the store. For any celebration...everyone got gifts from Hallmark!!!

[Abby'sMom]

apoppy - don't know about an end date! I hope they don't end it soon. Then I'd have to start a new long-term series collection. ;) And new series just don't seem to have the staying power of the older ones, like FF and Here Comes Santa (which ended 2 years ago, I believe). Anyway, I think I'm missing three or four of them. I have the first two, but they've been well-chewed on. ;) Who knew 20 years ago that they'd be worth $200 today if they're in good condition?!

But, to contradict myself, I'm thinking that maybe this year's new Flower Fairies series might be around for a while as long as they sell well. After all, there are a zillion different flowers! I'm considering starting that series for DD. Then again, I started the Nick and Christopher series for her last year. Don't want to go too nuts! :) Maybe I'll see if my mom wants to start her on the fairies so I don't have to do it. ;)

[jarm]

Oooh! Does this mean they're out? I was just thinking about them. I love to start my Christmas shopping in the summer.

[Kopper]

Yay, more addicts :)

This is a great website to get older ornaments. It will also give you an idea of what to pay for things on Ebay.
http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/

KristyK - Right now I just have the Snow Cub Club and Frosty Friends Wreath. The cats always knock my bears down! :) My mom has a few different ones including Santa and Reindeer which is very similar to the one they have this year. My whole guest room closet is Christmas stuff. DH once suggested that we put the ornaments in the attic. :eek: Never!

2kCougar - I don't think they are discontinuing all the series or minis but I wish the series would last longer.

lady1297 - It looks like they are starting a new snowman series (Snowtop Lodge) this year. There is also Father Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Toymaker Santa, Jack-in-the-Box Memories, and a few others. I don't normally buy the pop culture ones except for Barbie.

Abby'sMom - I love the Frosty Friends! I only have one though b/c I didn't want to get into a series that has been going forever. My cousins have all of them though. Lucky you to get the Toymaker Santa! I'm so jealous. Last year I won the Cool Decade colorway one but I don't care for it that much.

After Christmas last year Kohl's was a mad house. They had everything on 3-4 shelves and there were several women there just going thru all the boxes. I ended up finding two Cookie Doe ornaments that had been sold out for months.

I like the new fairy series and have been debating on getting them but I don't really want to start another series!

Bellefior - It is really fun to see them each year. I love going to my mom's house b/c she has alot of the older ones.

apoppy - I haven't heard anything about Frosty Friends. That's cool that you have so many of them. Last year I bought my mom Mary's Angels #2 b/c that was the only one she was missing. I had been looking around Ebay for two years and finally decided to get it since it would probably only get more expensive.

SiValleySteph - That's cool that your grandma got you started. You could always buy a 2004 ornament to start a collection for your DS.

greenbunny - That's a cool tradition! My mom still buys me my Barbie ornament every year just like she has for the past 11 years.

ITA, some of my ornaments are so heavy. The snowglobes really weigh the branches down. We have found if you put them closer to the top it works out better.

[Kopper]

Oooh! Does this mean they're out? I was just thinking about them. I love to start my Christmas shopping in the summer.

Yes!! :) They had the Ornament Premiere last weekend. I have to start now to spread the money out. Plus I want to buy the ones I really want now in case they end up selling out. I made that mistake last year with Santa's Hula Day

----
Speaking of selling out, which ones do you think will sell out this year?

The Limited Edition Rocking Horse is already sold out in some places but they didn't make that many of them.

Last year it was Santa's Hula Day, Cookie Doe and Born to Shop.

[apoppy]

I toyed with the idea of trying to buy the first two Frosty Friends so that I would have a complete set. I nixed that idea after a little research---they were going for $200+ and that is a little much for a Christmas ornament. ;) I keep hoping that I will come across them at a garage sale or something.

[jarm]

Those of you who are members of KOC, do you think it's worth it? I'm thinking of joining, and I love one of the ornaments you get when you join. Seems worth it...must get to the mall to join! Too bad DD needs to go down for a nap now.

[Abby'sMom]

jarm - we-ell, you DO get two of the four club members-only ornaments with membership. And if you go to the premieres (this past weekend and I think late Sept/early Oct), you can show your membership card and get a free members-only ornament at each of those events too. The premiere ornaments are usually small $7 ones, but heck, they're free! The one from this past weekend was a bear holding an ice cream cone. The one for this fall is a sparkly santa in a dance pose. I didn't pony up to join myself til last year. :)

Kopper - santa's hula, santa's hula... I'll have to look that one up in last year's book. I'm sure I still have that book somewhere. Just found the book from 2003 the other day. :o

I bought the rocking horse on Saturday. From what I can tell, it's totally gone here. I thought twice about it later and wished I'd gotten one for DD too. Oh well. As far as this year's... probably whatever Star Wars or Harry Potter ones they have for sure. My mom reported that in her area, the set of 3 mini angels was going quickly over the weekend; not really the case here. The new series are always a wild card - when that jack in the box started 3(?) years ago, that first one was snapped up like crazy! Dunno about this year's new ones.

[JillyBean]

I'm not a collector, but I love Hallmark ornaments! I usually just buy whatever I think is cute, along with a yearly ornament (Christmas 2004, etc). I've been waiting for a cute series to start up, and I'm really liking the Snowtop Lodge series, as most of our decorations are blue/white and snowmen :) I've always liked the cool decade, but I almost feel silly buying it once I've missed others in the series. I might have to get one this year. I've also bought several of the Grinch and Peanuts ornaments.
So far, I like:
Rudolph and The Abominable Snowmonster
Tree-Napper at Work (Grinch)
A Season to Sing (Kermit)

[Abby'sMom]

Anyone still around this thread? There has to be something ornament-related we can discuss! Anyone live near one of those Welcome to Keepsake Lane tours this year and planning to go? - They're in NYC, St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit, Orlando and San Jose.

[Kopper]

Abby'sMom - I'm still here. I wish this thread wasn't stuck in holiday land b/c it's easy to miss it...

I'm jealous that you bought the rocking horse. I've been looking on ebay but haven't bought one yet. I wonder if the new bird series will sell out. I did remember when the 1st Jack in the Box sold out. I ended up buying it on ebay the next year. I'm not really into Star Wars/Trek or Harry Potter so I don't have to worry about them selling out. :)

I live in the Dallas area so I plan on going to that tour. I have to sign up for the club first though. When I go and pick up the I.C. Pete's ornament that I won I will sign up. Do you live near any of the cities?

JillyBean - The Snowtop Lodge one is cute. ITA about buying ornaments in the middle of the series. Last year I won a Cool Decade colorway ornament and I've had to stop myself from buying all the others... :o

[Kopper]

Today I won these on ebay:

Jolly Wolly Santa - 1991
http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/assets/images/ornaments/keepsakes/1991/qx5419.jpg

Jolly Wolly Snowman - 1991
http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/assets/images/ornaments/keepsakes/1991/qx5427.jpg

Jolly Wolly Soldier - 1991
http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/assets/images/ornaments/keepsakes/1991/qx5429.jpg

Pez Santa - 1995
http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/assets/images/ornaments/keepsakes/1995/qx5267.jpg

Look for the Wonder - 1993
Victorian Angel Tree Topper - 1998
Santa Full - 1992
Winter Surprise - 1992

And I am bidding on this one:
Jolly Old Kris Jingle Colorway - 2004
http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/assets/images/ornaments/keepsakes/2004/qxg5501c.jpg

The eight I won as two sep lots of 4 for $9.98 plus shipping. I don't really care about the last four but it was cheaper to buy them in the lots than to buy them sep. Once I receive them I may be willing to part with them for shipping costs only. The last one (Kris Jingle) I bid $2 for and it ends in a few hours.

[Abby'sMom]

Yeah, I was bummed when this thread was moved here. So hard to find it.

Those are cute. :) My mom won that colorway Santa last year. I think, anyway.

We live within reason of San Jose. Not super close, but close enough. But I'm not sure if I'll go. DD's 1st birthday party will probably be that same weekend.

(Just as a side note, I looked at your FF chart and it looks really promising!!)

[Hokulea]

Oooh, Hallmark employee here (well, for another 20 hours or so)! If you have any Ornament questions, I'm willing to try to answer them, or try to find out the answer (I'm friends with my manager).

As far as series length, that is decided by, you guessed, sales. The people at the store won't be able to give you any answer as to when a series may end; it's generally not even decided until after Christmas, and they don't tell the stores that kind of stuff anyway. You can ask, on the very off chance corporate has decided to end one, though it will also say in the book and on the ornament tag on display something like "7th and Final in Series." Great, huh?

Wait until you see the Christmas decor stuff! There is a new lady in charge of product lines and she made them rework the entire line. The new line is fabulous! A little more expensive, but much nicer with much better quality. The Valentine's 2006 stuff and Easter 2006 product looks great as well.

[CMTorie]

I'm just getting into Hallmark. I started 2 years ago when DD was born. I started her with the beginning series that year which was the jack in the box. So...she has all of those...and of course I started her with the babies first, second kitties. Now...for my DS I have the 'expecting parent' ornament (heck...I wish I'd get pg again before Christmas so I have an excuse to get the expecting parent ornament this year...it's cute!!!) and he'll start with the babies first puppy line, plus whatever one I like from a beginning series this year. We also get ones that represent milestones in our year. I tend to get the baseball line for DH along with whatever military service ones stand out. He tends to get me the cooking ones. (but because he always waits till the last minute I didn't get the cookie dough one from him...but...I found it 1/2 off the day after Christmas at mervyns!)

[CMTorie]

Oh, what are these things you all are talking about? Welcome to Keepsake Lane tours...premieres...how do you find out about this stuff?

[Abby'sMom]

CMTorie - www.hallmark.com. And I get mailings because I have a Gold Crown card and belong to the Keepsake Ornament Club. I've gotten some calls about the Keepsake Lane tour, too. :)

As it turns out, DH won some 'mystery' ornaments last weekend, too. (Meaning they didn't tell him what he won when they called.) Getting excited about picking those up this weekend!

[alienhost]

I went to Hallmark this weekend to get a card and could not believe they had the ornaments out already! I don't "collect" but do have quite a few. I usually buy them 50 or even 75% OFF after Xmas. Last year I went crazy and bought way too many.

I like the minatures since I have a little table top tree that I display all my tiny ornaments on.

Now with DD here I might have to get "baby's first christmas". I can't believe I have to think about buying Christmas ornaments already!

[Abby'sMom]

A little bumpity bump and Kopper, I told you your chart looked good! ;)

[Kopper]

A little bumpity bump and Kopper, I told you your chart looked good! ;)

Thanks Abby'sMom! As you can tell I've been a little distracted and busy. I haven't read all the new posts but I will today. On Friday I picked up the I.C. Pete's that I won. It wasn't a colorway but I didn't think it would be. I ended up winning the colorway santa (from last year) on Ebay for $2 plus shipping.

I also bought this one:
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxm8942_xl.jpg

And you know I will be getting this one!!
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg4605_xl.jpg

I'll be back later

[usafwife]

Kopper ~ My mom has the Santa from 1991 that you posted. My DH and I got the Parents-to-be ornament last year.

Member of KOC ~ I am not but my mom is. She enjoys it and is quite happy with her membership. Plus she likes the ornaments that you get for being a member. I've considered joining but haven't gotten around to it yet.



I have quite a few Hallmark ornaments that I've gotten over the years. My favorite series that I have is the reindeer series from back in the 80s. My grandma started the Mischevious Kittens series for me. Since she passed away my mom has continued the series for me. And she gets my dad the car series.

This year we will be getting DD a couple of the Baby's First Christmas ornaments. I cherish mine that I got when I was a baby. DH and I have one that marked our first christmas as being married.

I'll see if I can find a picture of the ones that we are going to get DD this year. I must say that having a member of the family that works for Hallmark certainly has it's ups. :)

[Etoile]

I went to Hallmark and looked at the ornaments and got the dream book.
I'd like to start a series (I don't have any Hallmark ornaments yet but I collect ornaments in general) but I'm not jazzed about any of the series that are starting this year. I might get the fairy.
I do love the greenhouse and the cooking rack! That is DH and me, all over. I also plan to get the kitten baby's first christmas one for my best friend whose first was born in February.

[Sparkles P]

Anyone,

I really need to find a "Our 1st Christmas Together" ornament for 1996. It was the 1st year Dh and I were together. I am postitive we had one, but with numerous moves, and a jealous ex of his who came over and ripped off a ton of my stuff ( even my HS yearbooks), it is gone. This ex came over many years ago.... BTW.
I am hoping to find that type of 1996 ornament, or at least a cute one that says 1996....
I am going back to hunt through this awesome thread. We started collecting the mystevious kitten collection, since we own 2 cats. I am hoping to buy a parents to be one.... soon!!

[Abby'sMom]

Sparkles - Here ya go:

1996 First Christmas (http://cgi.ebay.com/Hallmark-Ornament-Our-first-ChristmasTogether-1996-MIB_W0QQitemZ6206100177QQcategoryZ39610QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Should be pretty cheap! I get older Frosty Friends ornaments from eBay all the time. It's a great place to check for old ones.

I have the Mischievous Kittens, too!

[Kopper]

Sparkles - I found the same one Abby'sMom posted. It's pretty cute :)

If you don't want that one there are these ones:
http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/product.asp?itemid=4157&catid=58

http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/product.asp?itemid=7510&catid=58

http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/product.asp?itemid=4159&catid=58

http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/product.asp?itemid=4161&catid=58

They range from $6-28 from HookedonHallmark.com

[ladyco4]

My DS used to work at Hallmark and he started buying the Gone With the Wind ornaments for his sister who loves Gone With the Wind. He doesn't work there anymore:( but I still buy all of the new Gone With the Wind ornaments for DD!

[MtySheera]

My mom has bought my siblings and me a Hallmark ornament each year since we were very little. Now, my brother has the entire "Here Comes Santa" series, which looks like it is now worth over $3,000 :eek: (he has the boxes).

I love the Hallmark ornaments, and usually buy at least 5 a year. There are too many cute ones to pick just one. Plus I collect different series, so I have to get those! The ornament collections I have are:

Dr. Seuss
Snow Buddies
Kris & The Kringles
Snowball & Tuxedo

I love putting the ornaments on the tree. As I'm putting them on, I think about what each one means to me. When my DH and I had our first Christmas tree together, I felt bad because I have so many ornaments that mean something to me, and he didn't really have any. So over the years we have been together, I have bought him some Hallmark ornaments, and now he has his own ornaments to put on and think about :)

[Kopper]

MtySheera - My DH doesn't have nearly the number of ornaments I do either. We started a series the year we were married though. He isn't really that interested and doesn't mind that I hog the tree. :)

----
Anyone going this weekend to the Ornament Debut? I am planning on going early Saturday morning to sign up for the drawings and get the free ornament for KOC members.

Special Edition 2005 Here Comes Santa Keepsake Ornament
$14.95
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/Content/gcs_od_woody.jpg

Shake It, Santa
Free for KOC new or existing members
http://www.hallmark.com/HallmarkStore/images/Content/hg_pr_off_shakesanta.jpg

Ornaments in drawing - Not all are pictured
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/Content/gcs_od_rtw.jpg

Colorways
* Santa's Magic Sack
* Snow Buddies
* Sweet Tooth Treat

Regular Ornaments
* Rockin' With Santa
* Santas From Around the World (England)
* Christmas Countdown
* Joyful Jumping Jacks
* Peace, Hope, and Joy

Other than trying to win an ornament I'm probably going to buy the Parents to Be one and maybe a few others. I'm not sure yet since we are trying to save money right now.

[2kCougar]

I have to get that Here Comes Santa ornament! I have the full-sized one and the mini!

I ran across the ornament premier rocking horse the other day. Maybe hallmark made a second batch?

Kopper--I'm still debating that mini ornament countdown tree.

[KRM&TPS]

I went to the ornament premiere yesterday. I got two ornaments. I also got the picture frame, and signed up for the drawing. I would love to win something.

I got this for my sister for my nephew's first Christmas.

http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg4592_xl.jpg


And this is the ornament DH and I picked out for our first Christmas together. I really like it. The center where the picture is spins around.

http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg4402_xl.jpg

And this is the frame you get for $7.95 when you purchase two ornaments.

http://www.hallmark.com/HallmarkStore/images/Content/gcs_so_kod_1.jpg

Of course I am not putting the Barbie ornament in it. I purchased this one back in July and it looks cute in it.

http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg4412_xl.jpg

[KRM&TPS]

Back in July I also got this one. I think I will like this series. Now if I can just remember to get it every year.

http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qx2145_xl.jpg


My husband wants this one so I need to go back and get it.

http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qx2282_xl.jpg


I also was thinking about joining the Keepsake club. Did anyone join this year? Do you like the ornaments the have for it this year?

[MtySheera]

I went to the ornament debut over the weekend and joined the Keepsake club. I chose these 2 ornaments
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxc5003a_xl.jpg
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxc5002_xl.jpg
The boxes on the Santa one open.

I joined because I thought it was a good deal for only $25. I got 2 ornaments, plus the free ornament "Shake it, Santa". I also bought this one
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxd4092_xl.jpg

And put my name on a waiting list for this one since it was already sold out at our store
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qlx7645_xl.jpg

I have 10 ornaments to buy on my list this year, but after going to the store to actually see them, I wanted so many more!!!

[KRM&TPS]

When I got home from grocery shopping I got a call from our Hallmark store. I actually won an ornament from the drawing this weekend. I never win. She said I won the Santa from England.

http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg4822a_xl.jpg

[Etoile]

Ooh! That Santa's really pretty! Lucky you!

[KRM&TPS]

Thank you I was so surprised. DH had the phone when it rang and I heard him say Hallmark why would they be calling. I yelled answer it. I knew that I had to have to won something. I never win.

[Kopper]

2kCougar - I still really like that countdown tree. That's interesting that you found the rocking horse. I didn't think they were going to have any more.

KRM&TPS - Cute ornaments I bought that picture frame too! I plan on hanging my Parents-to-Be ornament in it after Christmas. The fairy one is cute. :) I joined the Keepsake Club this year for the first time. Congrats on winning the Santa. I won one in July and one last year but I don't think I won this time.

MtySheera - You might check Ebay or HookedonHallmark.com for the one you want that is out of stock. Sometimes you can get them for much less than Hallmark is selling them for. The santa on top of the presents is really cute. It was a hard choice but I picked Christmas Window (Pet Store) & Snow Day Magic.
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxc5001_xl.jpg

So I picked up the two KOC ornaments I ordered since they had come in. I bought the Parents-to-Be and the Special Edition Here Comes Santa. Since I went to two different stores I ended up with two of the free mini Santas. I'm going to give one to my mom.
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg4605_xl.jpg

[Abby'sMom]

Gosh, I've not been in here for a while.

I won the Santa From England, too. DH won the Peace, Joy, Hope trio. I think that's what it's called. I also won a free one-year membership to the KOC. I already belong, but I took it anyway and ordered the two members-only exclusives that I hadn't already gotten. Free is free, after all! :) I entered my mom in one drawing since I knew she was out of town for the weekend, and she happened to win the Sweet Tooth Treats colorway! I totally want it, but it was her name they drew, not mine! I told her she has to do entries for me next year to make up for it. ;)

Marlene, they're supposed to be getting new shipments of the St. Nick ornament. I saw them at several stores up here in the East Bay this past weekend.

Have you seen the new Illuminations line they're doing? They're really pretty. I'll have to see if I can find pictures.

[MtySheera]

Wow Sherry...you made out quite well at your Hallmark store!! Quite the lucky lady. I didn't win anything at ours. Thanks for the info. on the St. Nick ornament. I definitely want to get that one!!

[Abby'sMom]

Marlene - In fairness, I went to more than one. :o We have four of them just in our immediate area.

[la_bride_2004]

oh my gosh!

I have the entire Nostalgic Houses and Shops series. My grandmother bought me the first one more than 20 years ago, and every year she'd buy the next one. Unfortunately she's passed on, but I kept up the collection. I had NO idea how much they were all worth!!! Holy moly.

http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/view_category.asp?cat=165

Here's some on our tree

http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C57%3A%3B23232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2329%3D5%3A8%3D8 55%3DXROQDF%3E232347%3B526%3B42ot1lsi



\

[KRM&TPS]

OK Isign inspired me to revive this thread. July 15 and 16 is the Keepsake Ornament Premiere. Yeah I am so excited. Anyone else with me??

I actually thought about joining the Ornament Club this year but I really don't llike any of the special ornaments.

[KRM&TPS]

Just for fun Im going to post some I am already thinking about getting.

I of course have to get this to go along with last years.
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qx2583_xl.jpg

This is a new series- Noelville. It looks really cute
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qx2456_xl.jpg

Second in the Fairy series I have.
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qx2563_xl.jpg

I am going to try to get a Christmas together ornament each year. I really liked the First Christmas one I got last year. Not many options for Christmas Together.I guess I like this one.
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg2726_xl.jpg

[KRM&TPS]

OK guess I am the only crazy one looking at ornaments. :o

[SunnyAB]

Not at all - I have to check out Frosty Friends! The Together ornament is cute! I like it.

[Kopper]

Nope, I have already looked at the book and am trying to come up with a budget for ornaments this year since I'm now a SAHM. I have to really limit my purchases this year.

[KRM&TPS]

Sorry I missed both your posts SunnyAB & Kopper. Have yall bought anything yet? I havent even been in a Hallmark store since they started putting them out. :eek: I really need to go and get the ones I want before they run out.

[SunnyAB]

Hi There! Yes, FH picked up Frosty Friends (I have all but the first three :( ), Snowball and Tuxedo - argh!! he got two more that I am completely blanking on! :confused: I'll come back and edit when my brain fade disappears. :D

[Kopper]

I bought several at the first premiere.

Trimming the Tree (snow globe)
Sweet Tooth Treats (cookie jar)
Baby's First Christmas (picture frame)
Pop! Goes the Teddy Bear
Sweet Smackerel (free)
Bananas for You
Sweet Shop (DS's new series)
Spring Splendor (Barbie)

I still have my eye on several more depending on funds. :D

[KRM&TPS]

Oh wow yall are on the ball. Yeah funds are the main reason I havent even stepped in the store. I have had two weddings to be in so I have not had extra money to spend on myself. So I hoping maybe next week I can start buying.

[2kCougar]

We picked up a few:
snow fort fun
nose so bright
sweet shop
Santa's Wittle Helper
Twuthful Tweety
Taz The Snowman Wizard
Love You A Latte
Sprucing Up Sylvester
Shrek, Donkey And Puss In Boots
U.S.S. Enterprise
Jolly Snowmen
Pansy Fairy
the frosty friends premiere ornament

[rosa727]

la bride 2004: I have the whole series of Hallmark Nostalgic Houses and Shops too! And my grandmother has been buying them for me since the first year. I guess I was 5. I LOVE them, and I can't believe they are still going with the series.

We usually don't hang ours on the tree because they would take up so much room. Last year, we did them on top of our armoire, which is pretty low so you can still see them well. It was set up like a little town. I may do the same this year.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Christmas%20Ideas/houses.jpg

[tinkerbelljenny]

QUESTION: Does anyone know if they made a Thomas the Tank ornament in 2003? I just bought the one for this year yesterday and I buy one every year for my son but I can't find out if they had one in 2003 or not.

I will probably go back and buy a baby's first christmas ornament and find another series for our new baby.

[KRM&TPS]

QUESTION: Does anyone know if they made a Thomas the Tank ornament in 2003? I just bought the one for this year yesterday and I buy one every year for my son but I can't find out if they had one in 2003 or not.

I looked at this site (http://www.mxtx.com/hallmark/f/index.shtml) at it didn't list one for 2003. I could be wrong though.

[SunnyAB]

There is a site that is called Hooked on Hallmark (I think thats it) and you can search for ornaments by year. I quickly looked and didnt see one for 2003 (or 2004 for that matter), but you can check more carefully there.

[tinkerbelljenny]

Thanks SunnyAB & KRM&TPS for looking! I looked too and only found one for 1995 and then 2004, 05 & 06. I didn't buy DS a Hallmark ornament in 2003 so I might have to find something else to get him from that year.

[KRM&TPS]

Anybody see the ornaments for this year? There are quite a few I like. This weekend coming up is the ornament premiere.

[JenniferEC]

I picked up the catalog of this year's ornaments, but most of what I want doesn't come out until October. I usually end up buying 6-8.

[Kopper]

Suprisingly there aren't a ton I want this year. I am going to the premiere though since they usually have a drawing for free ornaments (I've won twice) and they are giving a free ornamant as well.

[shopaholic]

I don't see too many that I like except for the chinese takout box

[Abby'sMom]

No drawings this year - total bummer. My DH used to do really well in those when I entered his name. *I* rarely won, but he won all the time.

[sublime311]

I just started collecting last year, so not too many to share, but here are ones I bought this year:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w31/sublime3eleven/Misc12-07012.jpg?t=1196621411

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w31/sublime3eleven/Misc12-07018.jpg?t=1196621453
That one is not in the "Keepsake" line, but a Hallmark ornament nonetheless.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w31/sublime3eleven/Misc11-07045-1.jpg?t=1196621535
It's the Frosty at the bottom, center of the pic.

I also bought my friend the Baby's First Christmas music box block (http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product%7C10001%7C10051%7C762152%7C-2;-107988;153052;168567;168568%7C%7CP1R3SO%7Cproducts ).

[KrissyCat7]

I bought three this year.

http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg6417_xxl.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2ByfcLcX%2BL._AA280_.jpg

And a little snowman onrnament

[Kopper]

KrissyCat7 - I love the Toast for Two!

sublime311 - The first one you posted is on my list and my mom bought the second one yesterday. I really like that snowflake.

These are the ones we have this year:
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qx2357_xxl.jpg

For DS:
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/qxg6327_xxl.jpg

And these 3:
Noelville, Bake Shop - for DS
Toymaker Santa
Winter Wonderland, Gathering of Friends

[alienhost]

bumping up for the 2008 season.

I hate Hallmark, can I tell you? I was buying the my 1st, 2nd 3rd christmas series like Kopper posted and it was DISCONTINUED in 2008. Apparently the 2007 ones had no date on them so I should have bought the 4th and 5th last year when they were 50% off!

I tried ebay but I don't want to spend $20 bucks for a $10 (really $5 ornament).

Any thoughts on where to find previous years ornaments - I called 2 local hallmarks to see if they had any of 2007s in the back room - they thought I was nuts.

[May27JnJ]

I "googled" and found this...
http://www.cmaspast.com/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=140

http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/2007-Hallmark-Ornaments_c_549-1.html

http://www.ornamentmall.com/2007-Hallmark-Ornaments_c_652-1.html

[Kopper]

alienhost - The same thing happened to me. I bought 3rd and 4th year last year (it was only DS's 2nd xmas) but I couldn't find the 5th year. I'm torn on buying it or just going with one that has a year on it and not worrying about it. I think I will check eBay after Christmas to see if the price has come down any. I wouldn't buy from Hooked on Hallmark though as their prices on almost all ornaments are much higher then eBay.

So what did everyone get this year?

I got the series ones that I always do:
Toymaker Santa
Noelville (started this for DS his 1st Christmas)
Jack in the Box
Barbie (my mom always gets me that one)
Doorways Around the World (mom started that one for me last year)

I also bought these:
Rocket (Little Einsteins) for DS
Handy Manny for DS
New House one since this is the first year in our new house
and the free Santa one

[alienhost]

May27JnJ thanks for those links, they are out of stock at a few of those sites and pricey, sheesh $30 for a $10 ornament?

Kooper Had I known it was being discontinued I would have picked them up, did you know that last year? I'm not a true collector so I'm not in tune w/ those things. I guess I'll watch Ebay and see if I can get it at a reasonable price. I do like the one w. the bear, maybe I should just get that and be done w/ it.

Does anyone know if they are phasing out the minature ornaments? At my stoe they only had 1 or 2 when they used to have a whole display. And I always thought they had more singles vs 3-4 to a box.

[Kopper]

alienhost - I knew they were being discontinued but I thought they were phasing them out one year at a time. Last year they only had years 2-5 so I thought this year they would have 3-5 and so on. I was wrong though though but luckily I saw years 3 and 4 after Christmas and bought them 50% off.

Hallmark hasn't had very many mini ornaments in the last several years. They used to have a whole bunch but now it's only a few and many times they are sets like you are talking about.

[Aug2002Bride]

Ive already bought the
~Daughter one for my 2 girls to put on their trees in their room
~The photo grandma one

I still need to get the
"Santa's Sweet Rides" series
Mom one
Our family yearly one.

Might add one more new series this year..

[marchfamily]

I collected Looney Tunes ornaments in the 90's (I also had the ones from the Warner Bros. Store). I was going to ebay them this year....but ran out of steam.

[alienhost]

alienhost - I knew they were being discontinued but I thought they were phasing them out one year at a time. Last year they only had years 2-5 so I thought this year they would have 3-5 and so on. I was wrong though though but luckily I saw years 3 and 4 after Christmas and bought them 50% off.

Hallmark hasn't had very many mini ornaments in the last several years. They used to have a whole bunch but now it's only a few and many times they are sets like you are talking about.

I went today and bought the new 4th christmas since I had a $5 gold crown reward...I did see some more mini ones, but they were mixed in w/ the regular ornaments, I think it's sad they are being phased out, I love the minis! I'm still bent out of shape about the Christmas ones that were discontinued....I wish I knew!

What is everyone's ALL TIME FAVORITE Hallmark Ornament?

My favorite is from the 1990's - the Chris Mouse series, I only have 3 of them but this one is my favorite, you plug it into the Christmas lights.

link (http://www.hookedonornaments.com/1991-Chris-Mouse-7_p_53-2343.html)

[Kopper]

What is everyone's ALL TIME FAVORITE Hallmark Ornament?

Hmmm... That's a hard one. I have so many (around 160 or so :eek:!)

Here are a few:

2006 Bananas For You
http://www.ornamentmall.com/assets/images/2006pics/QXG3253.jpg

2006 Dear Santa
http://www.ornamentmall.com/assets/images/2006pics/QXG2306.jpg

1992 Holiday Tea Time
http://www.ornamentmall.com/assets/images/1992pics/92mice.jpg

2005 Parents to be (for sentimental reasons)
http://www.ornamentmall.com/assets/images/2005pics/QXG4605.jpg

[Ericka_Jarett]

alienhost - according to Hallmark, the minis continue to be big sellers so not phasing them out yet. Read it last night.

[Kopper]

alienhost - according to Hallmark, the minis continue to be big sellers so not phasing them out yet. Read it last night.

No, probably not completely but they used to have multiple series and a whole section of them. There are now only a few per year.

[MsPeachy]

I like to collect the Star Trek and Star Wars ornaments from Hallmark. I just bought this year's ornament, the Star Trek Communicator
http://geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2008/news/2008-07-11-hm_trek_comm.jpg

It's a tie for favorite between the Star Trek Voyager Delta Flyer
http://www.salimbeti.com/scifi/images/hallmark/2002-deltaflyer.jpg
and the Star Wars Star Destroyer
http://www.christmasteddy.com/images2/04stwstardestroyer.jpg

Obviously I'm a bit of a geek :p

[alienhost]

Hmmm... That's a hard one. I have so many (around 160 or so :eek:!)

wow 160, do you display them all each year?

I forgot that I also LOVE this one for the same reasons as Kopper ;):

http://www.ornamentmall.com/assets/images/2004pics/QXG5734.jpg

Also I'm glad to hear the minis will continue, it's probably better that they don't sell as many each year ;)

[Kopper]

wow 160, do you display them all each year?

Yep! They are all on my tree. I should take a picture. There is hardly any room for other ornaments. I like your Parents to Be ornament. I was so bummed they don't have one this year for #2.

I'll admit that I keep a list of what I have and a list of ones I want from previous years and randomly check eBay for them. The one I most wish I would have bought a few years ago are The Beauty of Birds. Cardinals are my favorite birds but the first one is now going for nearly $200. Luckily I got it for my mom that year and she has continued to collect them so I told her that she can never get rid of them! LOL!

http://www.ornamentmall.com/assets/images/2005pics/QX2135.jpg

[Kopper]

Our tree topper broke last year and I haven't found a new one I like yet.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n118/Katie-John/DSC07301.jpg

[Kopper]

I forgot about these sets that I LOVE: 2004 Snowflake Fun (http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/2004-Snowflake-Fun_p_711-7191.html)

2005 Joyful Jumping Jacks
http://www.ornamentmall.com/assets/images/2005pics/QXG4462.jpg

[alienhost]

Kopper your tree looks great! I can't imagine unboxing and re-boxing 160 Hallmark ornaments! That would take me forever!