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Announcement: Memories for the making

Memories for the making
This Christmas, you’re invited to our historic Kansas City home for the first-ever Hallmark Christmas Experience.

Christmas is our favorite time of year and we know it’s yours, too. So we can’t wait to get together and make some memories at the ultimate ho-ho-holiday celebration: Hallmark Christmas Experience, every weekend November 29–December 23.

This year’s inaugural event is an extension of the rich history of Christmas at Kansas City’s Crown Center, the home to Hallmark’s headquarters. Did you know the Crown Center shopping center was first envisioned in the early 1960s by Hallmark’s founder, J.C. Hall, and his son, Donald J. Hall? And for more than 50 years, Crown Center Square has been home to the Mayor’s Christmas Tree—a real, towering tree that stands proudly in the square and marks the start of the holiday season for our city. (Last year’s tree was 100 feet tall!)

“With the mayor’s tree and all the decorations, Crown Center is the perfect setting to come together,” says Keepsake Artist Jake Angell. “I also get to set up as a crafter and can’t wait to share my personal artwork, too!”

That’s right—our very own Keepsake artists will be among the vendors at the event. We’ve hosted Hallmarket for years as an insiders-only craft fair where Hallmark artists sell their homegrown handiwork, but this year we’re bringing it to the public as a special Holiday Hallmarket. That’s where you’ll find the event-exclusive ornament, too.

Along with the market, visitors will enjoy a food hall, ice skating, a Holiday Light Walk and more. The club-exclusive events, December 5–7, feature artist signings and artist chats. But if you can’t make the exclusive weekend, the other activities will be available every weekend, all season long. And anyone can visit the square for free—no ticket required. The more, the merrier!

“Everyone in the entire building is so excited to share what has been in the works,” says Artist Emma Leturgez-Smith. “I can’t wait to see the concept art of the outdoor market and our huge tree come to life and transform our home into a beautiful Christmas market!”

Hallmark Christmas Experience ornament
Limited Edition

Don’t miss this event-exclusive ornament! I sculpted this sweet little Santa in wax before adding a pom-pom to his hat and a bow made out of ribbon to his gift. I just love adding extra details that help bring the ornament to life.

—Tammy Haddix

“Memories for the making.” For Keeps 24 Fall 2024: 6-7

September 11th, 2024|0 Comments

2024 Reveal: Holiday Decor

Home for the holidays
Our new collection of ornament-themed outdoor decor is here to add festive fun to your front yard.

We’ve all heard the phrase “go big or go home.” But, this Christmas season, we decided it was time to go big…at home! For the first time, we’re releasing nine light-up outdoor decorations based on beloved characters from some of your favorite Keepsake Ornament series.

“Our team knows how much fans love our characters and storytelling, so we thought it would be fun to see those characters in new spaces. After all, you don’t just decorate inside your home for the holidays!” says Lindsay Evans, an editorial director in the Keepsake Studio.

Playful Penguins | Waddles
Lighted Outdoor Decoration

Playful Penguins | Wade
Lighted Outdoor Decoration

Playful Penguins | Wendel
Lighted Outdoor Decoration

So, who can you count on to spread Christmas cheer and greet your guests? Beloved characters from Playful Penguins, Noble Nutcrackers, Snowtop Lodge and Father Christmas are first in the lineup. These festive friends come in a range of sizes, with some up to four feet tall. And. get excited because next year Lindsay says they’re introducing new designs and even more characters

“This top secret project has been years in the making and I’m so glad we could finally bring these characters to life in a much bigger way,” Lindsay says. “The large size really shows off the detail from our artists, and also all the little nuances and character traits from each series that you might not notice otherwise.“

Noble Nutcrackers
Lighted Outdoor Decoration

Louie D. Lightly
Snowtop Lodge
Lighted Outdoor Decoration

Father Christmas
Lighted Outdoor Decoration

“Home for the holidays.” For Keeps 24 Fall 2024: 8

September 11th, 2024|0 Comments

Lisa Vogel

If you’re anything like us (and we’re pretty sure you are!) then as a kid you were probably asking Santa year after year for one thing…a new puppy! Imagine how sweet it would be to wake up Christmas morning and see a precious ‘lil pup snuggled under the tree with a bright red bow on its collar.

As it turns out, our snowman friends had the same childhood dream…so, of course, we worked a little magic and brought those dreams to life! Keepsake Artist Lisa Vogel says Wrapped Up In Christmas was originally imagined as a singing, gift-wrapping snowman plush featuring a sweet puppy sidekick. But the design was so cute, the team thought why stop there?

Wrapped Up in Christmas

“The full size plush is available this holiday season, but we also shrunk it down to ornament size so you can have one for your tree, too!” says Lisa. “We wanted it to be magical, just like the toy, so the ornament also plays a fun version of ‘Jolly Old St. Nicholas.’”

There are so many details that make this darling ornament shine, from the festive green ribbon to the realistic red bow.

“My favorite detail is the plaid paint on the wrapping paper. It’s a perfect match to the plush and adds so much fun,” says Lisa.

This adorable duo is releasing at Ornament Debut in October and makes a perfect gift for the pet lovers in your life—and every kid, or grown-up, who dreams of having a puppy for Christmas!

Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Lisa Vogel about her Wrapped Up in Christmas Ornament! Coming at Ornament Debut in October!!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, September 4, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3732986470274683

September 4th, 2024|0 Comments

A Big Thank You!
Hallmark Employee Gift

Hallmark retailers will once again have the opportunity to purchase a Special Edition Keepsake ornament to use to thank their employees for their dedication.

September 3rd, 2024|0 Comments

2024 Reveal: Reissued Ornaments from Keepsake Archives

Additional reissued Keepsake ornament designs from the Keepsake archives have been revealed.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ (2018)
Harry Potter™

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ (2019)
Harry Potter™

MARIO KART™ (2018)
MARIO KART™

Yoshi (2020)
MARIO KART™

Disney•Pixar Up (2019)
Disney•Pixar Up

The reissued Keepsake ornaments will be available later this year on Hallmark.com and through the Hallmark Keepsake Store on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.

August 26th, 2024|1 Comment

2024 Reveal: Holiday Barbie® Ornaments

The wait is over. Here she is! Inspired by the 2024 Holiday Barbie™ Doll, this Keepsake Ornament is the perfect way to celebrate the Barbie™ tradition of fabulous holiday fashions.

The 2024 Barbie Holiday Doll embodies the warmth and love of the season with a festive gown for a glamorous celebration. Showcasing gorgeous drama, the dress pairs a draping, one-shoulder, sparkling red bodice with a full, plaid ballgown-style skirt. Big tulle accents offer a modern take on a classic look, while statement earrings add to the elegance.

Wrap yourself up in the warmth, elegance, and festive joy of the season. May your 2024 Holiday Barbie® bring peaceful and delightful moments to you and those you love.

Holiday Barbie™ Ornament
Inspired by the 2024 Holiday Barbie™ Doll

August 9th, 2024|0 Comments

Terri Steiger

Nutcrackers are traditionally a sign of good luck, scaring bad spirits away. They’re also a sign that the Christmas season is upon us, so Keepsake Artist Terri Steiger’s Noble Nutcracker series is the perfect way to put your holiday spirit in high gear.

A visit to the Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth, Washington gave Terri a lot of inspiration as she was creating the series. “While visiting the museum, I was blown away by all the different nutcrackers there are. So many different styles, themes and interpretations. I was drawn to some of the older wood-carved nutcrackers and their personalities. I really want all the nutcrackers in the series to be different from each other, so each tells a story of its own.”

Earl of Snowfall
Noble Nutcracker
6th in the series.

This year brings the 6th in the series, the Earl of Snowfall, and Terri is sharing his story. “I wanted to do something that would look wintry and snowy. I used tinsel as trim and a bottle brush tree to bring his vintage Santa look to life. He’s snowy from top to bottom, with a snowflake base to stand on and a hat topped by a snowflake that gives him a royal look.”

Terri is always on the lookout for inspiration as she continues this series. “The nutcracker series is always in the back of my mind. Sometimes I’m influenced by a particular style, color or pattern I’ve seen. I love looking at antique stores and flea markets for objects that might shape my designs. Of course, I’m always thinking about the ‘royal’ aspect of the series, and I even look at writing to inspire ideas.”

Wondering what’s next for the Noble Nutcrackers series? Terri is only willing to give a hint. “Let’s just say that next year’s design is near and dear to my HEART!”

For the perfect way to let your Christmas spirit shine, pick up this year’s Earl of Snowfall in October at Keepsake Ornament Debut.

Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Terri Steiger about her Earl of Snowfall Coming at Ornament Debut in October.” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, July 31, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3704406499799347/

July 31st, 2024|0 Comments

2024 Reveal: D23 Expo Exclusive Keepsake Ornament

As preciously announced, Hallmark will attend D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event at the Anaheim Convention Center on August 9-11.

Stop by the Hallmark: For All Fankind booth to find a variety of Hallmark’s Disney-inspired products including The Disney Mickey and Minnie Let’s Dance! Event Exclusive Keepsake Ornament.

Event Exclusive Keepsake Ornament

Let’s Dance!, Disney Mickey and Minnie, Event Exclusive – A repainted version of a Keepsake Ornament first offered in stores in 2023. Turn the crank on the ornament to see Mickey and Minnie dance along to a fun version of “Minnie’s Yoo Hoo.”

Keepsake Artist Nello Williams will be in attendance and be available to sign the ornament between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.