Ornament Spotlight: Young Santa
Meet the Newest Guy in the North Pole
How Sheyda Advabi Best created Young Santa.
We’re so excited to introduce you to Young Santa, the first ornament in a new series that will tell the childhood story of our favorite gift-giver. This adorable ornament was created by Sheyda Advabi Best, a senior artist in Hallmark’s Visual Studios, who gave us a peek into her artistic process.
To start, Sheyda looked at toys and characters from all over the world and closer to home. “In my studio is a display case full of ‘Kawaii’ toys, which inspire me with their pillowy shapes and stylized faces. They’re so cute!” she says. She was also inspired by snow-days gone by, when she and her sisters would be so excited to get out and play they’d leave a mess of coats, mittens and scarves on the floor.
Young Santa
“I thought it would be sweet to give the same feel to Young Santa—he’s so excited to get outside that he forgot to put on his other boot!”
Once inspiration struck, Sheyda began sketching out dozens of versions with all sorts of proportions and styles. “I wanted to make sure that I exhausted every option before settling on one look,” she says. After sketching, it was time to sculpt. The rough shape of our not-so-old Saint Nick was formed from clay. Then she made molds, casted melted wax into them and refined the wax shape with sculpting tools, sandpaper and an electric waxer device.
Sheyda says she had to be very mindful of how she handled the wax, because there aren’t any undo buttons if you accidentally snap o an ear!
“I can remember literally holding my breath when I was doing some of the smaller detail work. It requires a lot of concentration,” she says.
After the sculpting, Sheyda painted the prototype before adding in some delightful details: a pom-pom, leather ribbon, and we can’t forget his adorable puppy companion!
Speaking of companions, did you notice that cute cardinal on the top of the Young Santa Special Edition ornament? Sheyda says the little birdie is doing its best to help deliver Christmas joy. The limited-quantity Young Santa Special Edition will be available at Ornament Debut, but in the meantime you can pick up the first-in-series Young Santa at Ornament Premiere!
We can’t wait to see where this series goes in the future, and Sheyda assures us we have plenty to look forward to. “Expect to see lots more storytelling about Young Santa’s childhood. You might even discover how he learned to spread Christmas cheer!” she says.
“Meet the newest guy in the North Pole.” For Keeps 21 Summer 2022: 4-5.
2023 Sneak Peek: Christmas Windows
Christmas Window 2023
21st in the series.
A Window to Wonder
Magical memories, holiday joy and a little puppy love is what Tammy Haddix set out to capture in the Christmas Window 2023 21st in the series ornament. “I wanted to evoke the excitement of Christmas on the little boy’s face, with his happy little dog,” she says. The adorable little boy cuddling his sweet pup was even inspired by real life—Tammy’s son, Ben, holds their family dog in the same way (below).
Although this is the 21st ornament in this beloved series, Tammy says she learned brand-new skills to help her bring the ornament to life. “My husband and I purchased a CNC machine, a computer- operated routing tool for cutting wood. I was able to design the ornament’s window in Adobe Illustrator and then move it to the CNC machine.” Tammy says the machine cut out the window frame then she sculpted to it. “It was a really challenging and fun process to learn, and I was able to do it myself!”
Tammy also told us that Christmas Window 2023 has a few extra-special touches because it releases during next year’s 50th anniversary of Keepsake Ornaments. But what does that mean? You’ll just have to wait and see!
Ben (Tammy’s son) holds their family dog
Little boy cuddling his sweet pup
“A window to wonder.” For Keeps 21 Summer 2022: 6
Dreaming up the Dream Book
Go behind the scenes with the 2022 production team.
Every year, countless hours of excitement and work go into creating the Dream Book—well, maybe not countless: From start to finish, our 30-person team spends nine months on this project, from June to February!
Before any work begins, we get together to check out the new line of 450-plus Keepsake Ornaments. These new designs are top secret— so top secret, in fact, that some of our licensed ornaments—from Disney, Nintendo and Barbie (to name a few)—are seen only by select team members who are all sworn to secrecy. Talk about behind-the-scenes access.
Then the magic truly comes to life during the five to six weeks of photo shoots. Hundreds of photos are collected, featuring about 150 ornament samples. You’ll find pictures of the shoots below.
After that, it’s time to design, write, edit, revise, approve, print and, our very favorite part…send it off to you to enjoy!
Go behind the scenes with the 2022 production team.
“Dreaming up the Dream Book.” For Keeps 21 Summer 2022: 8
2022 Reveal: Event Exclusive Barbie™ Ornament
Shoe-sational
Barbie Ornament
Event Exclusive
We’re excited to debut the design of the 2022 National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention Shoe-sational! Special Edition Keepsake Ornament. This ornament was designed by Keepsake artist Debra Nielsen, and will be issued in a very limited run quantity of 800 pieces. It will be made available for purchase exclusively to registered attendees of the 2022 National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention.
The 2022 National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention will be held July 6 – 9, 2022.
2022 Collection: Playful Penguins
2022 Collection
Twirly Teacup
The Topsy Twirly Winter Carnival
A Hallmark Keepsake Playful Penguins Story
Playful Penguins Winter Fun
Not A Creature Was Stirring
Playful Penguins
Playful Penguins
A Snowy Treat
Petite Penguins
7h in the series.
Miniature.
2022 Video: Spotlight on Snoopy
Peanuts pals, it’s a big year of celebrating! Hear Tracy Larsen chat all about the 25th ornament in his Spotlight on Snoopy series AND the 25th Anniversary Special Edition ornament he designed to commemorate this milestone year. Crack a root beer, here’s a toast to 25 more years!
Jazzy, Snappy Friends
Spotlight on Snoopy
25th in the series.
2022 Reveal: Stanley Cup® Champions Colorado Avalanche®
2022 Stanley Cup® Champions Colorado Avalanche®
Special Edition
The Colorado Avalanche are World Champs, adding a third Stanley Cup to their collection! Commemorate this victory with this cool-as-ice special piece of Avalanche pride. But don’t wait too long—supplies of this collectible Keepsake Ornament are limited.
PREORDER NOW
Available at participating Hallmark Gold Crown Stores and on Hallmark.com
Artist Insights: 2022 Cookie Cutter Christmas
Hallmark sat down with Keepsake Artist Nina Aubé to discuss her 2022 Cookie Cutter Christmas #11. Enjoy!
Cookie Cutter Christmas
11th in the series.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Nina Aubé and Cookie Cutter Christmas, 11th in the series!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, June 22, 2022. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/2994348874138450/
Member Exclusive Offer: KOC Flash Sale (2022 Comic Con Ornaments)
Hallmark is planning another *EXCLUSIVE SALE* – just for KOC Members! Keep reading for everything you need to know.
Gonk Droid™ & Mouse Droid™
Star Wars: A New Hope™
Time War Dalek
Doctor Who™
Spider-Gwen
MARVEL
We are excited to share that on December 6, 2022 KOC Members will have the opportunity to purchase the three 2022 Comic Con Keepsake Ornaments online or by calling 1-800-Hallmark. This special purchase opportunity will be available for all 2022 KOC members (even if you already purchased this year at the Comic Con Convention). Restriction of 1 ornament per KOC membership number remains.
We are so excited to share that Hallmark is making a VERY limited amount of the three 2022 Comic Con Keepsake Ornaments available online to KOC members! Mark your calendar for December 6. The sale begins at 10 a.m. CT and runs while supplies last.
Available only at Hallmark.com while supplies last! Canadian members, call 1-800-HALLMARK to order. Limit one of each design per member.
Press Release: PopMinded by Hallmark Announces 2022 Event Exclusives
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, itty bittys® among items planned for fan gatherings later this year.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (June 20, 2022) – PopMinded by Hallmark will meet some of pop culture’s greatest fans later this year while attending two of the world’s largest fan-focused events – Comic-Con International and New York Comic Con. This is the first time since 2019 the company will be attending the events in person.
Since 2016, PopMinded has served as Hallmark’s way of celebrating fandom with gifts and collectibles created and curated with all fans in mind. PopMinded plans to continue Hallmark’s annual tradition of providing access to their ever-popular event-exclusive products.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornament designs, itty bittys® plush characters, and other exclusives will be sold in limited quantities at these two events:
- Comic-Con International San Diego, July 21-24
- New York Comic Con, October 6-9
Limited Availability items include:
Gonk Droid™ and Mouse Droid™, Star Wars: A New Hope™ Keepsake Ornament set features a pair of droids first appearing in Star Wars: A New Hope™ that have proven popular and memorable with fans over more than 40 years. The Gonk Droid features sounds from the film, while the mouse droid is cast in metal. The ornament set is priced at $35 with a total production run of 3,000.
Time War Dalek, Doctor Who™ Keepsake Ornament – This gold-armored version of the iconic Doctor Who villain is depicted as Daleks in the Cult of Skaro appeared to challenge the Tenth Doctor. The exclusive ornament, which includes sound from the show, is priced at $30 with a total production run of 3,000.
Spider-Gwen, Marvel Comics Keepsake Ornament depicts the heroic alter ego of Gwen Stacy as she has appeared in alternate universes to fight crime in comics and animated stories. This ornament is priced at $25 with a total production run of 3,000.
Harry Potter™, Rubeus Hagrid™ & Luna Lovegood™, Harry Potter™ set of 3 Christmas Tree Ornaments. A trio of fan-favorite characters are styled to complement characters in Hallmark’s Harry Potter Mystery Ornament line. The exclusive three-pack is priced at $15 with a total production run of 1,500.
Professor Boggart Snape™, Harry Potter™ itty bittys® offers a stylized depiction of the iconic moment when Neville Longbottom conjures the idea of Snape in his grandmother’s clothes to defeat the boggart. It is priced at $10 with a total production run of 2,400.
The event exclusives will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the PopMinded booth when the convention opens each day. Sales permit one of each exclusive product to be sold per person, per transaction while supplies last.
Allotments will be divided evenly between the two conventions. Additionally, a small quantity of the three Keepsake Ornaments will be available for Keepsake Ornament Club Members to purchase. For more information on membership, go to hallmark.com/ornaments/keepsake-ornament-club.
The PopMinded booth will showcase upcoming products and sneak peeks from Hallmark’s full line of pop culture-themed products, and have select items from Hallmark’s core product lines available for purchase. Along with the tradition free exclusive buttons, handed out in limited quantities with a different design released each day of the convention.
Visit PopMinded.com/Events for details on how to purchase exclusives and learn about on-site activities planned for each event released closer to the date.
For more information about PopMinded by Hallmark and the products offered, visit PopMinded.com
Gonk Droid™ & Mouse Droid™
Star Wars: A New Hope™
Time War Dalek
Doctor Who™
Spider Gwen
Marvel Comics
Harry Potter™, Rubeus Hagrid™ & Luna Lovegood™
Harry Potter™
Professor Boggart Snape™
Harry Potter™
itty bittys®