2013 Limited Quantity Hallmark Ornaments for Premiere

Pictures of the Limited Quantity ornaments that will be for sale at the 2013 Hallmark Ornament Premiere event are pictured on the AMM/Christmas Past website. You can view them on the homepage at 2013 Hallmark Limited Quantity Ornaments.

2013 Barbie Ornaments from Carlton Heirloom Ornaments

Okay, I know this is a blog about Hallmark ornaments.  Many Hallmark ornament collectors collect the Barbie ornaments.  2012 was the last year of Barbie ornaments in the Hallmark line.  For 2013 American Greetings has the license to produce Barbie ornaments.  They will have 6 Barbie ornaments in the 2013 Carlton Heirloom Ornaments collection, and 2 Barbie ornament in the American Greetings ornament line.  Here's a peak at the Carlton ornaments:

This is Carlton's Holiday Barbie ornament.  It is the first in an ornament series inspired by the Holiday Barbie Doll.  A charm, commemorating the silver anniversary of the Holiday Barbie Doll collection, is attached to the ornament.

This is the first in the African-American Holiday Barbie series.

The Pink & Pretty ornament shown above is the first ornament in Carlton's new Vintage Fashion series.

The 1959 Debut Barbie is an homage to the original Barbie doll introduced in 1959.

Sophisticated Lady ornament--available in the 2013 Carlton Heirloom ornaments line.

2013 Carlton Heirloom Ornaments: Prima Prima Ballerina ornament.

What do you think?  Will you become a Carlton ornament collector in 2013?

2013 Cinderelly! Hallmark Ornament

Hallmark released a sneak peak of three of Julie Forsyth's 2013 Hallmark ornaments.  My favorite is Cinderelly! Cinderelly! shown below:

Another Sneak Peek of 2013 Hallmark Ornaments

A new series of angels by Edythe Kegrize will be in the 2013 Hallmark ornament line.  This series, named Heavenly Belles, will feature child-like angels with favorite holiday icons.  Here's a picture of the 2013 ornament:

And here's a few more pictures that Hallmark has released.  Sorry they are so small.

What do you think about the 2013 A Pony For Christmas ornament?  I'm not crazy about it.  Hopefully it will grow on me when I see it at Premiere.

2013 Hallmark Spring Ornament

Do you put up a Spring or Easter tree?  Did you collect Hallmark's Easter/Spring ornaments when they were available?  If so, you'll want to attend a Dream Book Party at your local Hallmark store on May 4, 2013.  At the party you'll be treated to a sneak peek of the 2013 Keepsake Ornament Club exclusive ornaments.  You'll also be able to purchase the following ornament, inspired by Mary Hamilton artwork.

This ornament was designed by Nina Aube and sculpted by Jim Kimme.  It is 2 3/8 inches tall.  Available for purchase beginning May 4, 2013 at $12.95.

If you are looking for retired Hallmark Easter/Spring ornaments you can still find many of them at AMM/Christmas Past.

2013 Hallmark Ornaments Sneak Peek

Are you ready for a sneak peek at a few of the 2013 Hallmark ornaments?  Here's a few of the continuing series ornaments:

2013 Season's Treatings

2013 Noelville ornament

2013 Making Memories ornament

2013 Cookie Cutter Christmas ornament



New 2012 Ornaments To Be Released December 7

Hallmark will release nine new ornaments on December 7th.  Here's two of my favorites: 

2013 Camaro ZL1 by Don Palmiter

Chocolate Moose by Tracy Larsen

More Hallmark Coupons

You can find the popular Hallmark coupons for $5 off a $10 purchase in the December issues of Oprah, Family Circle, and Martha Stewart Living magazines (and probably several more).  In addition, you can find a printable coupon at:


http://www.hallmark.com/offers/snowvember-event

These coupons do not exclude Hallmark ornaments.

Hallmark $5 Off Coupon - Good on ornaments

I don't know how long this will last.  If you go to Google and search for Hallmark Coupon you should find a Hallmark ad near the top of the listing that mentions a $5 off coupon.  Click on the link and print out a coupon for $5 off a $10 purchase.  The coupon does not exclude ornaments.

Be sure you are clicking on a link to Hallmark.com and not one of the many coupon sites on the web.

Good luck!

Watch for Hallmark Coupons

In November, Hallmark will have the $5 off a $10 purchase coupons in the following magazines:  Country Living, Family Fun, Parents, and Redbook.  They will have some Buy 2, Get 1 Free coupons in Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, Martha Stewart Living, and Southern Living.  They have also indicated their will be more coupons coming in December.

2012 Hallmark Ornament Debut Event

Hallmark's Ornament Debut event is this weekend, October 6-7, 2012 at Hallmark Gold Crown stores. Over 100 new Hallmark ornaments for 2012 will debut. There are two exclusive, register-to-win ornaments

and 6 limited quantity ornaments for this event.

There will also be bonus Gold Crown Reward points available for multiple ornament purchases.  Be sure to stop by your local Hallmark store to see the new ornaments.



2012 Two Turtle Doves Ornament Update

The 2012 Twelve Days of Christmas #2: Two Turtle Doves ornament has started arriving in stores. Some stores may wait to put the ornaments out for the October 6-7 Debut Event, but others have it on the shelf now.

2012 Exclusive Hallmark Ornament: Netherlands Santa

If you are a member of the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club, make sure you stop by your favorite Hallmark Gold Crown store this weekend.  The Santas From Around the World: Netherlands ornament will be available begnning September 8, 2012.  This porcelain ornament was designed by Edythe Kegrize and is 4 1/4 inches tall. 

We encourage you to support your local Hallmark store by purchasing this ornament locally.  If you don't have a Gold Crown store near you, you can find this ornament online at http://www.hallmarkornaments.us .

2012 Hallmark Ornament Recalled

Hallmark has recalled the 2012 Hallmark ornament of Two Turtle Doves--the second ornament in the Twelve Days of Christmas series. Hallmark posted the following statement on their website: "Hallmark is passionate about the quality of each Keepsake Ornament and (rightfully so) so are you. To honor the high standards that are essential to an ornament receiving the "Keepsake" stamp of approval, we are delaying the release of the Two Turtle Doves ornament until October 6. Although not available in the marketplace until October 6, you can visit your local Hallmark Gold Crown store to reserve your quantities. Thank you for your patience as we perfect what will soon be a worthy 2nd ornament in our new 12 Days of Christmas series."

Hallmark Ornament Premiere Special Offer

A nicely-detailed, tabletop Snowtop Lodge decoration will be available during premiere week for $24.95 (regularly $49.95) with a Keepsake Ornament purchase of $50. This decoration is 12 inches tall and is getting rave reviews from those who have already seen it. It may disappear quickly, so if you want it don't hesitate. Here's a picture:

The 2012 Hallmark Ornament Premiere event is July 14-15, 2012. The Snowtop Lodge promotional price is available thru July 22 or until sold out.

2012 Hallmark Ornament Premiere Limited Edition Ornaments

The 2012 Hallmark Ornament Premiere will be held on July14 and 15th. As usual, there will be several limited edition ornaments for sale. Here's a link to Hallmark's page showing pictures and details of them:

Limited Edition Hallmark Ornaments

2012 Hallmark Ornament Dream Book Online for KOC Members

If you are a member of the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Collectors Club, you can view the 2012 Dream Book online starting today. It is at KOCMembers.com. You'll need to enter your membership number and zip code to have access. If you aren't a KOC member, don't worry. Everyone will be able to view the Dream Book on the Hallmark site starting in April.

For you nonmembers, here's a peek at the 2012 Hallmark ornaments from A Christmas Story:

2012 Snowball and Tuxedo Hallmark ornament

Joanne Eschrich sculpted the 2012 Snowball and Tuxedo ornament, Downhill Thrills. It is the 12th ornament in this popular series.

And here's three 2012 Hallmark ornaments by Becky Hottel. Godchild:

2012 Baby Boy's First Christmas:

and, Snow In Love:

According to Hallmark's Facebook page, the 2012 Dream Book will be online at KOCMembers.com as early as March 19, arriving in homes of KOC members the week of April 2, and available at retailers and online at Hallmark.com around April 9.

A few more 2012 Hallmark ornament pictures

The 2012 Hallmark ornament line will include a Gone With The Wind ornament featuring Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler:

There is also a Pepe Le Pew ornament sculpted by Sharon Visker:

The 2012 Harley-Davidson Motorycycle Milestones ornament is a 2011 Street Glide FLHX. It is the 14th ornament in the series and was sculpted by Don Palmiter.

I'll be back soon to post more pictures of 2012 Hallmark ornaments.

2012 Beauty of Birds Hallmark ornament

Here's a picture of the eighth ornament in the Beauty of Birds series. This Painted Bunting was designed by Edythe Kegrize.

I'm anxiously awaiting the 2012 Hallmark Ornament Dreambook!

2012 Frosty Fun Decade Hallmark Ornament

Here's another 2012 Hallmark ornament picture for you. This one is the Frosty Fun Decade ornament.

The 2012 Dreambooks should be mailing out in another week or two. Hallmark should be posting the Dreambook online after the Dreambooks are mailed out--perhaps by the end of March. Keep your fingers crossed.

2012 Hallmark Ornament Sneak Peek: 12 Days of Christmas

The first ornament in the Twelve Days of Christmas series (introduced in 2011) was very popular and is commanding high prices on Ebay. The 2012 ornament in this series, Two Turtle Doves, is just as beautiful, if not more so. The prices for the first ornament will continue to rise if the remaining ornaments in the series are as nicely done as the first two.

Spring Hallmark coupon

The April edition of Ladies Home Journal will have a Hallmark coupon in it good for $5 off a $10 purchase.

2012: Final Year for Hallmark Barbie and Mattel Ornaments

Due to changes in Mattel's licensing program, 2012 will be the final year for Hallmark Barbie ornaments and the popular Fisher-Price ornaments. Hallmark issued the following information regarding this change:

Hallmark takes pride in offering all of the top five licenses for our product categories, and seven of the top 10 licenses. Having contracts with companies like Disney, Warner Brothers, Lucasfilm and many others means we create products that your customers look for in your stores.

Unfortunately, in the highly competitive licensing arena, the game is constantly changing.

That is the case with Hallmark's 20-year relationship with Mattel. In the past couple of years, Mattel changed its licensing strategy, which means Hallmark's licensing requirements no longer align with Mattel's approach. Hallmark and Mattel wished to continue to work together on ornaments, but because Mattel had changed its long-standing approach to licensing, it was not possible for Hallmark and Keepsakes to remain in the relationship. As a result, 2012 is the last year Hallmark will have any Mattel properties - most notably Barbie and Fisher-Price. And the place where this will be most evident is in Keepsakes.

In the 2012 Dream Book that mails in mid-March, two series Barbie ornaments are noted as “final in series.” You may have collectors who ask questions once they read their Dream Books. So we are giving you this information directly before your customers received their Dream Books in their homes to help prepare you with answers to a few potential questions. Your sales representatives will be talking to you about this topic as well.

Q. Will there be Barbie ornaments in the 2012 Keepsake line?
A. Yes, there are 12 Barbie ornaments in the 2012 model line, as well as one exclusive ornament for the Barbie convention. There also will be two Fisher-Price ornaments. (If the shopper has not already seen the 2012 Dream Book, make sure to give them one when they are available in your store.)

Q. The Barbie series ornaments say they are “final in series.” Does this mean Keepsakes is starting a new Barbie series in 2013?
A. No, this is the final year for Barbie ornaments since Hallmark won’t have the license to create any Mattel products beginning in 2013.

Q. Is there any chance you'll reconsider, or I'll bet if enough consumers complain to Hallmark, you'll reconsider.
A. It's not about Barbie or Fisher-Price; Hallmark loves those properties. We know they're very popular and we've enjoyed working with them and with Mattel over the years. Since Mattel has changed its business strategy, the goals of our two companies just don't line up right now. If Mattel’s strategy changes in the future, we would gladly do business with them again.

Q. I have been a long-time collector and love the Barbie products. What is Hallmark going to do to replace Barbie ornaments?
A. Keepsakes offers a wide range of options for ornament collectors, and while Barbie may not be in the line in 2013, ornament collectors who buy for their children or who buy for themselves will find a variety of options that will be equally as fun to collect.

Q. If a customer is really angry about this change, who should they talk to?
A. You can tell your customers that Hallmark wanted to continue to offer Mattel licensed products, but Mattel changed its licensing approach. As always, however, they can call 1-800-HALLMARK if they want to do so.

Q. Will a different company be making Barbie ornaments in 2013?
A. Hallmark has no way of knowing if or whom Mattel may work with in the future.

New Hallmark Coupon

Hallmark has a new coupon on their website for $5 off a $10 in-store purchase. It does not exclude ornaments and it is valid through 12/24/2011. I found it on the "See All In-Store Offers" page at:

http://www.hallmark.com/online/offers/in-store-offers/

It is in the right hand column of the page.