Hallmark bonus

These two penguin ornaments came from a Hallmark store, but they aren’t part of the Hallmark collection. They’re bells, but the dangling legs aren’t the clappers. Instead, each has a sjingle bell hanging inside that rings as it bangs against the sides of the hollow ceramic body

Two jingle bell bells with dangly legs

Acquired: October 27, 2010, Banner’s Hallmark, Tyson’s Corner Centre, McLean, Va.

Number: 0830 0831

Size: 3 inches tall

Price: $4

Pink power

Still in Virginia, I was shopping one night for a wedding gift when I spotted this penguin inside a store as I was walking by in the mall. How could I resist?

Chullo penguin with pink stocking cap and glittery pink belly

Acquired: October 27, 2010, Monsoon Accessorize London, Tyson’s Corner Centre, McLean, Va.

Number: 0829

Size: 5 inches tall

Price: $6

All by itself

Here’s the last of the ornaments I found at Crate & Barrel in Virginia. It’s actually part of a set that also included a reindeer and a Santa in the same shape. I first saw them in a catalog where they were only available as a full set, so I was happy to see them for sale individually at the store. O.K., I would have bought the whole set if I had to just to get the penguin.

Ceramic Christmas icon penguin with red knit hat

Acquired: October 27, 2010, Crate and Barrel, McLean, Va.

Number: 0828

Size: 2 inches tall

Price: $2.95

Similar shapes

I could have sworn that I received an ornament one year as a Christmas present that was similar to these two, but I've looked high and low and can't find it anywhere. Maybe I've seen others like it online or in a Crate and Barrel catalog.

Glass snowman-shaped penguin with red Santa hat and green scarf

Acquired: October 27, 2010, Crate and Barrel, McLean, Va.

Number: 0827

Size: 2.25 inches tall

Price: $1.95

Glass snowman shaped snow globe penguin with blue scarf and red Santa hat

Acquired: December 2010, Walgreens, Stroudsburg, Pa.

Number: 0877

Size: 2.25 inches tall

Price: 99¢

Recount

I have more penguin ornaments than I thought I did. I just realized I gave two of my newest penguins the same number, so I had to renumber about a half a dozen. These haven't been on the blog yet, so it wouldn't normally be a problem. The same thing has happened several times before I started the blog, but this time, I already posted my newest penguin about a month ago on January 24 with the wrong number. I've corrected the entry and added the size, which somehow never made it onto the blog.

Actually I have fewer penguins than I did before the recount. Over the weekend, I passed a couple of these triplicates on to another penguin fan, Ryan DeFelice, a friend of the family. (Don't worry, Ashley, I've got the same ones for you, and a bunch more.) These ornaments have been around for a long time and were posted on the blog last April here and here. I figured it was time to scale back a little bit and make room for next year's new ornaments. I'll keep these on record as part of My Penguin Tree. They'll just be in a new home.

Lads in plaid

The folks at Crate and Barrel knew I wouldn’t be able to resist these guys in all their sartorial splendor. The topmost penguin is wearing glasses and he’s got something under his wing, but I can’t figure it out. A book? A sandwich wrapped in a green tortilla?

Menswear assortment

Acquired: October 27, 2010, Crate and Barrel, McLean, Va.

Number: 0823 0824 0825 0826

Size: 4 to 4.5 inches tall

Price: $7.95 each

Over a barrel

I don’t have a Crate and Barrel near where I live, but I’ve known about their penguin ornaments thanks to some nice gifts I’ve received and also thanks to the internet. I try to keep my online and mail order purchases to a minimum as a way of keeping a limit on the growth of the ornament collection. A lot of good that does, huh? Anyway, I was happy to see a Crate and Barrel when I was in northern Virginia for a conference last fall. For one thing, I needed to buy a wedding present, but I also wanted to get my hands on those penguins. These three are the first of the batch.

Glittery ball skiers with flat hats

Acquired: October 27, 2010, Crate and Barrel, McLean, Va.

Number: 0820 0821 0822

Size: 2.5 inches tall

Price: $2.95 each

Four heads are better than one

This set of felt penguin ornaments was a nice gift from my niece. At first I thought they were coasters, but I was just as happy to find out I had four new penguin ornaments. When I went to measure these for the record during packing, I couoldn’t find them. I remembered putting them in their plastic box, but I didn’t remember what happened to them after that. Finally, they turned up last night, but now I’m looking for my own head. Jeez.

Holiday Passport World of Gifts, World Market, made especially for CostPlus, four coaster-like felt penguin heads

Acquired: October 23, 2010

Number: 0816 0817 0818 0819

Size: 3.5 inches diameter

Gift from my niece Becky Parsons

Surprise

I don’t remember seeing this ornament when I was looking online or in Hallmark’s 2010 catalog, so I was surprised when I saw it at the store with all the other penguins. It’s actually one of my favorites out of all their penguin ornaments from last year and it was nice to find something unexpected.

Hallmark Keepsake 2010 Ho Ho Hole in One golf bag with snowman, penguin and Santa club covers, Terri Steiger, artist

Acquired: October 17, 2010, Jill’s Hallmark 2, Easton, Pa.

Number: 0815

Size: 4 inches tall

Price: $14.95

Animated antics

I haven’t seen Madagascar 2, but this scene looks like it might be from The Penguins of Madagascar in a Christmas Caper that was included in the original movie. I liked both of those, especially the penguins, and would probably like their TV series too. At first, I thought the top penguin was in a dress, but he's actually wrapped in ribbon tied in a bow on top. Press the little button on the front to hear a variety of the penguins' movie lines. "Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave."

Hallmark Keepsake Super Spy Penguins, Penguins of Madascar, Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa, Magic sound phrases, Nello Williams, artist

Acquired: October 17, 2010, Jill’s Hallmark 2, Easton, Pa.

Number: 0814

Size: 3 inches tall

Price: $16.95

Too much fun

I never got a chance to try out this ornament to see what kind of lights, action and music are created, but it looks like there’s a lot going on. As I was packing it up, I noticed the batteries were still taped to the packing material in the box. Most of my ornaments aren’t going into their original boxes anymore, because I bought some space-saving ornament storage boxes for the most delicate penguins. I’ve decided to keep the Hallmark boxes, however, because of their potential as collectibles and because the boxes contain a lot of information about the ornaments themselves.

Hallmark Keepsake 2010 Frosty Falls, Magic light, sound and motion

Acquired: October 17, 2010, Jill’s Hallmark 2, Easton, Pa.

Number: 0813

Size: 3.5 inches tall

Price: $34.95

“Back away from the presents!”

No peeking at those Christmas gifts is allowed when this penguin is on duty. Lights flash, sirens blare and the penguin warns those who try snooping under the tree.

Hallmark Keepsake 2010 motion activated sound and light Polar Peekbuster, Tracy Larsen , artist

Acquired: October 17, 2010, Jill’s Hallmark 2, Easton, Pa.

Number: 0812

Size: 4 inches long, 2 inches wide, 2 inches tall

Price: $16.95

Last, but not least

Here is one last ornament from St. Michael’s, Md., and another really good one. It was difficult choosing a penguin to be No. 800, and this one was definitely a contender.

Heavy small, pudgy penguin with Santa hat, blue scarf, holding holly wreath with big red bow

Acquired: August 8, 2010, The Christmas Shop, St. Michael’s, Md.

Number: 0808

Size: 2.75 inches tall

Price: $5.95

Tied up in a bow

I pushed these two penguins to the head of the line just for Valentine’s Day. You’re supposed to put an inscription or use stickers that came in the box for the ribbon, but I think it speaks loud and clear without any message. This was one of the many ornaments I picked up at Hallmark’s second release weekend of the year. I probably bought too many and spent too much money, but you’ll see later this week how resistance was futile.

Hallmark Keepsake 2010 Wrapped in Love, Becky Hottel, artist

Acquired: October 17, 2010, Jill’s Hallmark 2, Easton, Pa.

Number: 0811

Size: 3.5 inches wide, 2 inches tall

Price: 12.95

Baby dolls

These two ornaments look like they would be just at home dangling over a baby’s cradle as they would hanging on a Christmas tree. 

Coyne’s & Company plush baby toys with green and pink scarves and present and star arches

Acquired: August 8, 2010, The Christmas Shop, St. Michael’s, Md.

Number: 0806 0807

Size: 6.55 inches tall

Price: $3 each

Bell on its toes

This round ceramic penguin ornament is a bell. Its two dangling feet are the clappers.

Round ceramic ball with feet clapper, buggy eyes, red earmuffs and red and green scarf

Round ceramic ball with feet clapper, buggy eyes, red earmuffs and red and green scarf

Acquired: August 8, 2010, The Christmas Shop, St. Michael’s, Md.

Number: 0805

Size: 3 inches tall

Little star

Oh, yeah, I like this little glass star-shaped penguin. Out of all the excellent ornaments I bought in St. Michael’s, I picked this one to be No. 800.

Small glass star-shaped penguin with red scarf with white polka dots and rainbow striped hat

Acquired: August 8, 2010, The Christmas Shop, St. Michael’s, Md.

Number: 0800

Size: 3.5 inches tall

Price: $6.95

Red revisited

Here’s yet another in the series of black and red penguins I posted in October, and now I know more about these ornaments. They are the work of Stephanie Stouffer, a Vermont artist whose designs can be found on cards, stoneware, textiles and cards. I noticed "07Stouffer" stamped on the back side of this Santa on a motorcycle, which led me to the sites on the colored links. It turns out the other black and red ornaments have the same stamp on them. I still don't know how many more of these nifty ornaments might still be out there for me to discover, but I found a couple of my other ornaments are also Stouffer designs in a different style.

Stouffer 07 black and red Santa on a motorcycle

Acquired: August 8, 2010, The Christmas Shop, St. Michael’s, Md.

Number: 0799

Size: 3.5 inches tall and wide

Price: $2 (originally $6.95)

Silver beauties

My visit to The Christmas Shop in St. Michael’s, Md., yielded an unusual number of silver penguins. I was so happy with the blue penguin tree last year that I might try a silver or silver and gold tree next year.

Frosty silver and white penguins with black feet and beaks

Acquired: August 8, 2010, The Christmas Shop, St. Michael’s, Md.

Number: 0797 0798

Size: 3 and 3.25 inches tall

Price: $6.95 each

Four penguins with long silver stocking hats

Black polka dot ball

Acquired: August 8, 2010, The Christmas Shop, St. Michael’s, Md.

Number: 801

Size: 3.25 inches tall

Price: $7.50

Silver tree

Number: 0802

Size: 3.5 inches tall

Price: $6.95

Long silver box

Number: 0803

Size: 4 inches wide

Price: $6.95

Silver candy cane

Number: 0804

Size: 3.5 inches tall

Price: $7.50

Small glass silver penguin and chick with white frosty bellies

Acquired: August 8, 2010, The Christmas Shop, St. Michael’s, Md.

Number: 0809

Size: 4.75 inches tall

Price: $8.95

Painted penguin

On the way home from Rehoboth Beach, Del., St. Michael’s, Md., seemed like it would be a good place to stop for lunch. It also turned out to be a good place to stop for penuin Christmas tree ornaments. This penguin looks a little cross-eyed here, but it’s a beautiful ornament with a distinctive style. Wait ‘til you see the others I found.

Antique wood look ceramic penguin with holly and “Love” on front

Acquired: August 8, 2010, The Christmas Shop, St. Michael’s, Md.

Number: 0796

Size: 2.75 inches tall

Price: $7.50

The Radko wall

I had a little trouble booking a hotel for my spur of the moment trip to Rehoboth Beach, Del., last summer. I was only going to be there one night and there was nothing available online within 50 miles. Then I wondered, “What if I were staying two nights.” I adjusted the trip search, hit enter, and all of a sudden there were room available everywhere. I was prepared to pay for the extra night, but when we checked out early, the front desk clerk gave me a credit for the unused balance. It’s a good thing, because the extra money came in handy when I stopped by Christmas Spirit. Their Christopher Radko wall was stocked with all the new ornaments. In addition to these three ornaments, I bought another one that I thought had a penguin, but it turned out to be a kitten. I found out at the checkout counter, but the sales clerks guilted me into buying it anyway because it was for charity, benefiting the ASPCA. I gave it as a gift to my sister Gale and her dog, Lulu.

Christopher Radko Candy Cane Club with three penguins climbing a giant candy cane

Acquired: August 7, 2010, Christmas Spirit, Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Number: 0793

Size: 5.5 inches tall

Price: $45

Christopher Radko Storybook Trio, three penguins in wooden soldier hats reading Nutcracker Suite

Acquired: August 7, 2010, Christmas Spirit, Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Number: 0794

Size: 5 inches tall

Price: $52

Christopher Radko Hide and Peek, three penguins in a pyramid of gifts, Limited Edition, No. 207 of 500

Acquired: August 7, 2010, Christmas Spirit, Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Number: 0795

Size: 6.25 inches

Price: $55

Penguin dreams

This is a very nice glass ornament that I bought in Cape May, N.J., last summer. I wish I had more to say about it, other than that it is a beautifully painted ornament. I really like the giant gold bell with its red bow. An interesting thing happened to me this week. I had my first dream about penguin ornaments. All I can remember is that I had a tree set up somewhere and I was having trouble making time to retrieve it.

Small glass ornament with Santa hat holding a big gold bell with red bow

Acquired: August 7, 2010, Westwood Gifts, Cape May, N.J.

Number: 0792

Size: 2.75 inches tall

Price: $2.99

Look familiar?

I should have put these penguins up on Groundhog Day. They’re repeats of some other ornaments that are cut from the same mold, but painted differently and sold under different brand names. They keep popping up. The top one’s distinction is the “Cape May” inscription, which makes it a nice souvenir of my visit there. I bought another one a few months later. Two others have already appeared on the blog last June (No. 208) and November (No. 486). I discovered the similarities when I was getting ready to decorate the trees for Christmas. You can clearly see a birdhouse under the right wing, but I haven’t been able to figure out what’s under the other wing, though it looks like a gift on at least one of the ornaments.

Small glass Cape May penguin with Santa hat and blue scarf

Acquired: August 7, 2010, Westwood Gifts, Cape May, N.J.

Number: 0791

Size: 3.25 inches tall

Price: $2.99

Another small glass penguin with birdhouse

Acquired: November 20, 2010, Macy’s Herald Square, New York

Number: 0863

Size: 3.25 inches tall

Price: $4.32 (originally $8)

Fun afoot

A spur of the moment trip to Cape May, N.J., Rehoboth Beach, Del., and St. Michael’s Md., increased the size of my penguin ornament collection substantially. I even passed the 900 milestone. I feel like I rescued these playful penguins, one of which is holding a cookie-like snowflake with the year 2008 on it. The other three are holding a cardinal, a gift and a tree. All of them are wearing strange star-shaped snowshoes. Or are they cookie cutters? Even though the 2008 cookie and the star stompers are different shapes, it makes me wonder.

Set of 4 silver star snowshoe stompers

Acquired: August 7, 2010, Gifts Galore, Cape May, N.J.

Number: 0787 0788 0789 0790

Size:3 inches tall

Price: $7.99 each

Sweet Nutcracker

This penguin with a Christmas-colored snow cone is the third and last in a series of Noël Nutcrackers by Hallmark. Seems like a pretty short series to me, like the minimum amount to qualify. The first in the series was “Candy Claus,” a skinny Santa that looked like it was made out of pieces of candy. The second was a grinning “Jolly Snowman” holding a broom. The penguin is a very sweet little ornament that actually functions like a nutcracker with a moving tail lever to open and close his beak. It’s really not big enough or sturdy enough to crack any actual nuts, but who cares. It’s a penguin. It’s a Christmas tree ornament. And it’s cute as can be.

Hallmark Keepsake “’Snow’ Happy to Serve” Noël Nutcracker No. 3 and last in a series

Acquired: July 11, 2010, Jill’s Hallmark, Broadheadsville, Pa.

Number: 0786

Size: 2.5 inches tall

Price: $14.95

Buds

Everybody likes the penguin. Hallmark has a series of ornaments with a penguin and polar bear as pals, and here’s No.13 in a series of “Snow Buddies” with a penguin and his snowman friend. I don’t seem to have any of the others in the series, which makes me think it might not always be the same two buddies every year.

Hallmark Keepsake “Snow Buddies,” No. 13 in a series

Acquired: July 11, 2010, Jill’s Hallmark, Broadheadsville, Pa.

Number: 0785

Size: 2.5 inches tall

Price: $9.95