Hallmark Limited Keepsake Ornaments
From LoveToKnow Christmas
Christmas ornament collectors welcome the season each year with the release of a new line of Hallmark Limited Keepsake Ornaments.
These exclusive collectibles, more than 300 released in 2007, exquisitely capture not only the spirit of the season, but also society’s evolving interests and lifestyles. Your favorite pastime, a cherished movie, a special moment–all come to life on your Christmas tree with a Keepsake Ornament. In fact, the number one reason people decorate with ornaments, according to research conducted by Hallmark, is to commemorate a milestone.
Hallmark, a company known worldwide for putting sentiment to paper, first crafted holiday ornaments in 1973. A set of yarn ornaments and six glass balls sparked a new industry: collectible ornaments. Each of the ornaments featured that year were one-of-a-kind, and available for a limited time. The following year, Hallmark unveiled a new line, and a tradition was born. The company has created more than 3,000 individual Keepsake Ornaments.
Deidre Parkes of Hallmark shared with LoveToKnow Christmas the history of ornaments, their appeal, and what happens with “misfit ornaments.”
Hallmark Limited Keepsake Ornaments Interview
What the most popular ornaments: the traditional holiday scenes, or ornaments more associated with pop culture and hobbies?
Each year different Keepsake Ornaments appeal to different consumers. Keepsake Ornaments that have sound, light and motion do well as well as perennial favorites such as Barbie and Star Wars and Star Trek. For the more traditional Keepsake Ornament buyer, holiday scenes such as Santa Claus and snowmen do well.
What's the difference between the online collection and those that are featured in Hallmark stores?
There is only one collection offered each year, it is the same everywhere you find Keepsake Ornaments including online and in-store.
The Creation of a Collectible
What training does a Keepsake Designer have?
Keepsake Designers, as all of the Hallmark creative positions, have wide and varied backgrounds. Some go to school for sculpting, others have come from different areas of Hallmark as they've realized this is a skillset they have. There is no one school or program that leads someone to be a Keepsake Ornament designer.
Please describe the creative process, from the initial idea to the creation and acceptance of an ornament.
The Hallmark Keepsake Ornament line is usually planned out 18-24 months in advance. Some of the ideas are assigned to a designer, while other ideas the designer comes up with on his or her own and submits it for consideration.
Designers will then begin sculpting either from photos or other illustrative devices. Once the sculpt is complete and been approved, and this would involve any additional approvals if it's a licensed character, the ornament is produced in volume and shipped to stores.
Have you heard of people using the ornaments for occasions other than the holidays?
Yes, many people hang these in their office or other parts of their home. Many of the Keepsake Ornaments are related to a hobby or activity that is important to someone, and they like to keep them up all year long.
Is there a stash of "misfit ornaments" somewhere?
No. Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments are year-dated and only offered for one year, so those that are not sold are destroyed in order to protect their value.
Additional Information
- Can’t get to your local store? Shop for Hallmark Limited Keepsake Ornaments online.
- In 2007, the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club celebrated its 20th anniversary. Join the club!
- Read more about the history of Christmas ornaments.
~Tracey L. Kelley
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© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
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