“This calls for a celebration! 2023 is the 50th anniversary of Keepsake Ornaments! Join the fun every Friday as we post pics of ornaments through the years.”

–Hallmark Facebook

“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 8,000 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 in 1973. Once a collection of decorated glass balls and yarn figures, Keepsake Ornaments now are made in a wide array of wood, acrylic, porcelain, blown glass, metal and handcrafted formats.

But one thing hasn’t changed. Their superior craftsmanship and high quality still ensure that Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments will become family heirlooms and cherished collectibles.”

–Hallmark Facebook

1973: This is one of the very first Keepsake Ornaments released in 1973. Who still has one? We’d love to see it! 

1974: This little angel was part of the Keepsake Ornament collection released in 1974. What’s the earliest Keepsake Ornament in your collection? Post a picture in the comments. We’d love to see it. 

1975: Disco may have ruled the radio in 1975, but this Rocking Horse ruled trees everywhere!

1976: The U.S. was celebrating its 200th birthday when Happy the Snowman arrived as part of the 1976 Keepsake Ornament line. Where are our snow lovers? Show us your snowman pics in the comments!

1977: This Mickey Mouse and Friends Keepsake Ornament was the first to feature Disney characters. It came out in 1977, and we’re proud to say our partnership is still going strong. We’d love to see your favorite Disney Keepsake Ornaments in the comments!

1978: Our 1978 throwback is a playful carousel featuring a horse, truck and ​red sleigh. Which would you have chosen to ride? And why?

1979: Vrrrroom! Santa’s Motorcar came racing onto the scene as part of the 1979 Keepsake Ornament collection. This design was the first in a series called Here Comes Santa. Anyone remember that series? We’d love to see your Santa ornaments in the comments below!

1980: Released in 1980, this ornament—A Cool Yule—is part of the longest-running series in Keepsake Ornament history! The Frosty Friends series turns 44 this year and was originally inspired by a Hallmark greeting card from the 1970s. Be sure to pick up the 44th Frosty Friends this year at Ornament Premiere!

1981: This ornament was the first in our Rocking Horse series that began in 1981, ran for 16 years and was one of our most popular series ever produced. Keepsake Artist Matt Johnson brought the series back in 2020 as the re-imagined Rocking Horse Memories series, using new materials, patterns and embellishments. We love that this childhood classic has made a comeback! Be sure to pick up the 2023 Rocking Horse at Ornament Premiere in July. Share your childhood rocking horse memories in the comments.

1982: In 1982, this Tin Locomotive chugged its way into the Keepsake Ornament line and into collectors’ hearts. It was the first in a popular series that depicted eight models of locomotives inspired by trains from the early days of American transportation.

1983: 1983 brought this sweet Cinnamon Bear series to Keepsake Ornaments. With a spinning top for his prop, he won hearts as the first in a series that lasted until 1990. So beary adorable!

1984: This is the ornament that started our Nostalgic Houses and Shops series. At nearly 40 years old, the series is still going strong! Be sure to pick up the one for 2023 at Ornament Premiere in July!

1985: Halfway through the ‘80s, this charming Rocking Horse embroidery hoop ornament trotted onto the tree. Do you still have yours? Tell us in the comments!

1986: In 1986, this beautiful Bluebird made its debut. Hand-painted and made of porcelain, there was no clipping its wings—although its clothespin base was perfect for clipping to the tree!

1987: With a gift for your special someone tucked safely inside, this cute little carriage rolled into the ornament line in 1987. Did you pick up a Sweetheart for yourself or was it gifted to you? Tell us the story in the comments below!

1988: Buttercup was the first ornament in the beloved Mary’s Angels series, which is still going strong after 35 years. Maybe it’s because every ornament is named after a flower, but this sweet series just makes us smile! Will you be picking up Mary’s Angels #36 at Ornament Premiere?

1989: In 1989, spandex, leg warmers and mullets were all the rage. Our little elf, Hark! It’s Herald, may not have entered 1989 as a fashion icon, but we’re pretty sure he was on trend for the North Pole. And those rosy, red cheeks can’t help but make ya smile, right?

1990: This Merry Olde Santa was the first in a series that ran from 1990– 1999. The series depicted the jolly old elf in Santa suits he’d wear in various parts of the world—if you could catch a glimpse of him, that is.

1991: This precious pup was the first ornament in our Puppy Love series that’s still going strong today. Do you have any ornaments from the series? We’d love to hear about them in the comments. Tell us about your own furry friends, too! Be sure to check out Puppy Love #33 at Ornament Premiere in July!

1992: In 1992, favorite holiday gifts included X-Men action figures and Barbie™ Dream Houses. We like to imagine our Cheerful Santa ornament delivered plenty of both that year. What was on your Wish List in the 1990s? Or had you not arrived quite yet?

1993: In 1993, we debuted our very first recordable ornament, Messages of Christmas. Featuring a merry, music-loving chipmunk sitting atop the Starsonic Recorder 93, this ornament delivered season’s greetings at the push of a button. Did you record a message and gift it? Or were you the lucky recipient of this sweet surprise? We want to know!

1994: All aboard for another #FlashbackFriday!  In 1994, the Yuletide Central locomotive chugged onto the tracks and set a course for Christmas trees everywhere! The Yuletide Central series added a coal car (filled with candy), a mail car and a toy car before wrapping up in 1998 with the caboose. Did this train bring you Christmas joy?

1995: In 1995, the ornament line welcomed A Celebration of Angels #1. The series, all featuring beautiful angels in traditional African dress, continued until 1998. Do you have this ornament on your tree today?

1996: 700E Hudson Steam Locomotive, the first ornament in the beloved LIONEL® Trains series, left the station in 1996. With its intricate, true-to-life design, this series was instantly on track to become a favorite among collectors! Which LIONEL® Trains ornament is your favorite?  You might find a new favorite, the 28th in the series, at Ornament Premiere in July!

1997: Featuring a beautiful, glowing light and a flashing beacon, Lighthouse Greetings #1 made its debut in 1997. If you look closely, you’ll even see Mr. and Mrs. Claus decorating their tree out front!  This charming series ran until 2009. How many do you have today? Let us know!

1998: A Pony for Christmas? Yes, please! Especially when it comes with its own teddy bear rider. This series started in 1998 and is still going strong today. Our 2023 ornament, the 26th in the series, is available at Ornament Premiere, so get on your horse and grab yours beginning July 15.

1999: In 1999, this ornament kicked off our Joyful Santa series and about 41% of Americans were using the Internet. With no social media sites available at that time, the most popular news attraction was the weather. Even Santa might have given that a look as he prepped for his travels. 

2000: It was the year 2000. We welcomed a new millennium. A dozen eggs cost 89 cents and a gallon of gas averaged $1.26. But even better, our Toymaker Santa series began! It became one of our most popular series ever and it’s still going today. Best of all, this year’s design is available now at Ornament Premiere!

2001: Oops! Santa caused quite a commotion back in 2001 when he had trouble getting out of the chimney on this Up on the Housetop ornament. Luckily, his reindeer came to the rescue, but it woke the family inside. With sound, light and motion, this ornament was truly ahead of its time.

2002: Here’s another #FlashbackFriday that witches, wizards and muggles will love: In 2002, one year after “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” hit the big screen, we released The Invisibility Cloak. Featuring a beloved scene from the movie, this ornament gave fans their own little piece of Hogwarts. And, 21 years later, our Harry Potter ornaments are still doing just that. Which ones did you pick up at Ornament Premiere? Tell us in the comments! 

2003: Pop! Goes the Snowman, the first ornament in the Jack-in-the-Box Memories series made its debut in 2003. The nostalgic ornaments in this series all feature playful holiday designs, complete with working levers and spring-loaded boxes. Do you still have yours? Show us in the comments!

2004: With a freshly cut Christmas tree and a gift box loaded in the trunk, our 2000 Ford F-150 ornament cruised into the 10th spot in the All-American Trucks series in 2004. Featuring intricate, true-to-life details, it’s no surprise this series has been a collector’s favorite since it began in 1995. How many ornaments from the series do you have?

2005: In 2005, the dashing Skylar A. Woolscarf arrived. With a scarf, top hat, vest, pocket watch and umbrella, this smartly dressed snowman introduced the Snowtop Lodge series, which is just as charming today! Which ornament from the series is your favorite? 

2006: Welcome to the gingerbread town of Noelville, the tastiest town there ever was. This Sweet Shop ornament was the first in the Noelville series, created by Keepsake Artist Linda Sickman. The series ended in 2015, with its gingerbread buildings including a clock shop, a schoolhouse, a church and a fire station.

2007: Back in 2007, Tinker Bell from Disney’s Peter Pan was the star of this Keepsake Ornament as she found herself stuck in a keyhole. Tink always did have a way of getting herself into tight spots—and then magically saving the day.

2008: 2008 marked the first year we introduced motion-detection sound ornaments, and this little peekbuster stepped up to guard the gifts under the tree by surprising anyone trying to sneak a peek, with phrases that included, “Don’t come any closer, Cookie Breath!”  Did you ever peek at your presents before you were supposed to? We’d love to hear your stories!

2009: Is there any holiday tradition more fun than baking? Well, there is eating, but that’s a given, right? Sharon Visker took the tradition to heart with her Season’s Treatings series. This is the first ornament in the popular series that continues to this day! What are your favorite holiday treats?

2010: Who will you be under the mistletoe with this Christmas? Santa will undoubtedly be with Mrs. Claus at their Kissmas Cottage in Kringleville (after making his deliveries, of course). This first-in-series ornament was designed by beloved Keepsake Artist Ken Crow (retired). Ken added a special lever at the bottom you can move to see the couple smooching. Mwah! [Important: If you want to read about the journey that the 2010 entry took to get on the list be sure to read Amok Time followed by The 50th Anniversary 2010 Mystery is Solved.]

2011: The Disney/Pixar movie Up had everything, didn’t it? From love and laughter to heartbreak and hope, Pixar’s Carl and Russell embark on an emotional journey, with lots of excitement along the way. They also became the first in our series of Disney/Pixar Legends ornaments in 2011.

2012: Keepsake Artist Nina Aubé (now retired) has always been our “queen of cute” and her Cookie Cutter Christmas series is no exception. Each year since 2012, a charming Christmas Mouse has been featured doing holiday activities inside the cookie cutter ornaments. The 12th ornament in the series came out in July, and they just get more adorable each year! Pick yours up in store or online now!

2013: Back in 2013, the North Pole Tree Trimmers joined our holiday fun with the 1st ornament in the series, created by Keepsake Artist Tracy Larsen (retired). Still going strong today, each ornament features a different member of Santa’s elite tree-trimming team, with our first little elf testing the lights and just maybe adding a bit of Christmas magic to make them really shine. Take a look at this year’s version in store or online, he’s a real star!

2014: Who doesn’t love a good family game night? The wildly popular Sorry! board game, introduced in 1934, was the first ornament in our Family Game Night series in 2014. A different game stars in each ornament of the series, and every single one will bring back fond family memories. This year marks our 10th and final in the series, the Mattel UNO Family Game Night Ornament. We’d love to hear about your favorite family games below!

2015: From Disney’s The Little Mermaid comes the 2015 Ariel’s thingamabobs ornament. Find this year’s Ariel ornament now at your Gold Crown store or on Hallmark.com.

2016: Back in 2016, Keepsake Artist Kristina Gaughran created this miniature ornament, the first in her Petite Penguins series! This year marks the 8th ornament in the series. It’s available now at Hallmark.com or your Gold Crown store.

2017: 2017 brought us the first in our Cozy Critters series. This year, a Tufted Titmouse is the 7th ornament in the series, and you can pick it up now.

2018: In 2018, Keepsake Artist Joanne Wright (retired) brought us the first in her Christmas Angels series, called Peace. This year brings the sixth ornament in the series, Good Cheer. Find it now at your Gold Crown store or Hallmark.com.

2019: In 2019, this Prince of the Forest introduced our Noble Nutcrackers series. This year, you can pick up the Snowfall Prince as the newest Noble Nutcracker.

2020: In 2020, our Rocking Horse Memories series made its debut with this beauty. Find this year’s ornament at your Hallmark Gold Crown store or on Hallmark.com.

2021: Who doesn’t love stocking stuffers, especially when they’re filled with these cuties? This ornament started our Stocking Stuffers series in 2021, and a different artist designs each one. This year’s ornament was crafted by Tom Best.

2022: Just last year, in 2022, this U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 from STAR TREK: Strange New Worlds arrived and then flew off the shelves at warp speed.

2023: And it’s a wrap on our celebration of 50 years of Keepsake Ornaments with this year’s 25th in series Mischievous Kittens. Looks like this little one’s ready for a workout. 

This post will be updated each Friday throughout Hallmark’s 50th anniversary retrospective.

If you want to read about the journey that the 2010 entry took to get on the list be sure to read Amok Entry followed by The 50th Anniversary 2010 Mystery is Solved.