2009 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Premiere

June 30, 2009 - PRLog -- More than 170 new Keepsake Ornaments will be unveiled during the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Premiere on Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, at Hallmark Gold Crown® stores nationwide. The annual event gives consumers a first chance to purchase Keepsake Ornaments from the all-new 2009 line. Ornament enthusiasts can buy the latest addition to their favorite series, snag that all-important first in one of the brand-new series debuting this year, pick up one of the limited-quantity Keepsake Ornaments that are sure to go fast, or simply find a special ornament that helps preserve a special memory.
“Keepsake Ornament enthusiasts tell us they can’t wait for the fun and festivities of Ornament Premiere,” says Marie Corbin, Retail Merchandise Manager – Keepsake Ornaments. “They really enjoy stopping by the stores to celebrate the event and purchase the new ornaments and be one of the first to see the new Keepsake Ornaments in person.”
Fans have been eyeing the 2009 collection in their Dream Books, which were mailed to Keepsake Ornament Club members in April, and available for viewing online at Hallmark.com/Keepsakes. 2009 is the 25th anniversary of Keepsake Magic Ornaments. The “Magic Express” Keepsake Ornament which features motion, light and sound will commemorate the occasion. Another highlight at Ornament Premiere will be a celebration of fun and fashion with Barbie as she turns 50 this year with a “50 Years of Fabulous!” Barbie Keepsake Ornament.
This year four new series ornaments will debut at Ornament Premiere. In “A Visit From Santa” the Keepsake Ornament features Santa Claus sharing the spirit of the season with animal friends, great and small. The Season’s Treatings series features an assortment of delicious homemade treats displayed in a festive holiday fashion. “Mickey as Bob Cratchit” appears as the first in the Mickey’s Christmas Carol series and a new Miniature series starts this year with “Festive Santa.” This accompanies the return of a select miniature Keepsake Ornament assortment.
Other Keepsake Ornaments sure to delight this year include all new Personalize-It Keepsake Ornaments that give the option of using personalized tags to hang from each ornament to represent family and friends. Favorite characters from Disney, the Peanuts gang, Harry Potter, Wizard of Oz, and Scooby Doo all make appearances in the 2009 line. Many popular television shows and movies also are represented including Hannah Montana, Wolverine, Ghostbusters, and Batman as well as “out of this world” perennial favorites from Star Wars and Star Trek.
Collectors Drive the Craze
Many collectors have more than one tree to display their ornaments during the holiday season. Enthusiasm for collecting is based on emotional appeal and passion for a theme or subject, according to Hallmark research. Almost 400 individual Keepsake Ornament clubs operate locally, most sponsored by Hallmark retailers in their communities.
About Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
In 1973, when Hallmark introduced six glass ball ornaments and 12 yarn figures as the first collection of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, a new tradition of Christmas decorating was started and a new collectible industry was born.
When the first line was introduced, they were unique in design, year-dated and available only for a limited time – innovations in the world of ornaments. Since 1973, Hallmark has introduced more than 4,000 different Keepsakes Ornaments and more than 100 ornament series, groups of ornaments that share a specific theme.
The finished Keepsake Ornaments reflect the way styles, materials, formats and technology have expanded since the first ones appeared in Hallmark stores. Once a collection of decorated glass balls and yarn figures, Keepsake Ornaments now are made in a wide array of wood, acrylic, bone china, porcelain, and handcrafted formats and technology has been incorporated into the world of Keepsake Ornaments through sound, motion and light. The one thing that hasn't changed, however, is the superior craftsmanship and high quality that ensures Keepsake Ornaments will become family heirlooms and cherished collectibles.