KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 12, 2017) — More than 200 new Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments will be released during the annual Keepsake Ornament Premiere Event beginning Saturday, July 14, at Hallmark Gold Crown® stores nationwide and online at Hallmark.com. This year marks the 45th anniversary of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, which began in 1973 as a collection of six glass ball ornaments and 12 yarn figures.
“Keepsake Ornament fans eagerly await the annual premiere of our new collection,” said Nicole Reid, retail product director for Hallmark. “We’re excited to show off this fantastic line of Keepsake Ornaments featuring top licensed properties and traditional favorites that help people remember those special times throughout the year.”
The entire 2018 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament line includes more than 400 ornaments to help people capture memories and turn the Christmas tree into a holiday experience the whole family will enjoy. More than half the new line will be available at Ornament Premiere.
At Ornament Premiere, consumers will find three brand-new Keepsake Ornament series and can take advantage of special offers and Bonus Points for Crown Rewards members, which run through July 22. Shoppers will also find ten limited-quantity ornaments, available exclusively in Hallmark Gold Crown stores. More event details can be found at Hallmark.com/OrnamentPremiere.
New Keepsake Ornament Storytellers
For 2018, Hallmark is expanding their offering of Keepsake Storytellers Ornaments. This innovative technology allows each ornament to give consumers a fun show on its own, but when other Storytellers ornaments from the set are added, they’ll unlock more interactive performances. With the push of a button on a Storytellers ornament it will send out a signal to determine what other ornaments are nearby. New Storytellers for this year include Christmas Carolers. This collection is sold individually and in a limited edition collectors set. The set features three new ornaments that perform a sound and coordinating light show with motion, each playing a favorite classic carol.
Favorite Characters
Hallmark welcomes a great lineup of favorite properties and characters to the Keepsake Ornaments 2018 line. Fans of Keepsake Ornaments can feel nostalgic with new ornaments featuring their favorite classic toys and games. Gamers can relive popular games such as, Donkey Kong™, The Legends of Zelda™ and Mario Kart™. Iconic Hasbro® toys also join the lineup with My Little Pony™, Glo Worm™, the family board game Chutes and Ladders® and more.
Keepsake Ornaments featuring sports figures like Jerome Bettis of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and Sidney Crosby of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins® will appear as well.
With Super Heroes, favorite TV and movie characters, and beloved toys – all starring as Keepsake Ornaments – there is something to appeal to every fan.
Significant Anniversaries
This year marks a key milestone for two long-time Keepsake Ornament series as they hit their anniversaries.
Frosty Friends marks its 39th anniversary this year and is Hallmark Keepsake Ornament’s longest-running series. This year’s ornament features Frosty and his penguin pal hanging stockings on their snow covered fireplace made of ice.
Nostalgic Houses and Shops is also celebrating a special anniversary. This year marks the 35th year for the iconic series featuring architectural elements. The 2018 ornament features the “Festive Firs Christmas Tree Farm” with exceptional detail and artistry of a farmhouse decorated for the holidays.
Mischievous Kittens will be celebrating its 20th anniversary as a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament series. This year’s ornament features a feline friend tangled in a box of Christmas lights and decorations. In late November, fans of the series can also purchase a commemorative 20th Anniversary ornament featuring playful kitties wreaking havoc on a Christmas tree.
For more information about Keepsake Ornaments, or to locate a Hallmark Gold Crown store, visit Hallmark.com.