What happened to Santa Claus, balls and Christmas-style ornaments? They can be hard to find in the current catalog. Not very many pieces are available for the traditional style Christmas tree, but if you decorate your tree and house with characters you like, you'll probably be happy with Hallmark's assortment for 2005. Not many Santas, there are only about 18 and that includes Santas that are part of a larger "scene". Meanwhile, there are over thirty vehicle (cars, trains, planes, motorcycles) ornaments. Seven different Barbie pieces, including one accessory-type ornament, eight different Winnie the Pooh pieces and five Star Wars ornaments.
The catalog is available to view online or you can pick up a copy at the local Hallmark shop.
Here are a few highlights that I particularly enjoyed:
- Sweet Poinsettia Fairy, 1st in the Fairy Messengers series.
- Yankee Doodle Santa, Santa is beating a drum with a small flag in the back
- Northern Cardinal, 1st in the Beauty of Birds series.
- Sweet Irish Dancer, 10th in the Madame Alexander series.
- Spirit of St. Nick, Santa's a pilot in vintage look airplane with windup movement.
- Victorian Home, 22nd in the Nostalgic Houses and Shops Series (only because I have the rest of them!)
- Proud Giraffe, 2nd in the Carousel Ride series
- Light of Liberty, glass domed Statue of Liberty
- Pop Goes the Reindeer, 3rd in the Jack-in-the-Box Memories series.
- Joy of Music, handcrafted metal music stand
- Noah's Ark with different animals appearing each time the door is opened
- Rockin' With Santa, musical turntable plays different songs, comes with separate records and simulates spinning motion.
Licensed ornaments:
There were numerous licensed ornaments, but the one that really caught my attention was The Batcycle, Batman on a motorcycle with cape
flying out. I also liked the two Raggedy Ann and Andy ornaments -- the dolls are on a sled and Off to See the Wizard with the four main characters arms locked together.
The Star Wars ornaments seemed to be a hot item, with Anakin Skywalker's Jedi Starfighter flying off the shelves, and the Darth Vader supply was also dwindling.
Lots of ornament choices and prices are right to add a few to your current collection or to start a new one!
