A Pointer Sisters Christmas

OK, so I like the Pointer Sisters a lot, but I never expected them to show up on a Christmas tree ornament. This little penguin is “so excited” on Christmas Eve that he can’t get the trio’s song out of his head. It’s a good thing the Pointers are on my favorites list, because I have a feeling I’ll be singing along with them on Christmas Eve.

Hallmark Keepsake “I’m So Excited” Magic musical ornament, Bob Kolar, artist

Acquired: July 24, 2011, Jill’s Hallmark, Easton, Pa.

Number: 0921

Size: 3.25 inches tall

Price: $17.95

Penguin perch

Here’s a penguin family that has found a Christmas cardinal. Actually, it’s more like the cardinal has found the penguins, judging by the stunned reaction on their faces and the outstretched wings of the surprised and delighted youngster. These might be the longest beaks on any of my penguins. No wonder the cardinal mistook one for a tree branch.

Penguin family with conical Santa hats, one with a cardinal perched on its nose

Acquired: December 26, 2008, The Christmas Loft, Stowe, Vermont

Number: 0603 0604

Size: 3.5 to 3.75 inches tall

Price: $7.99 each

A symbol of Christmas

It makes sense that a cardinal would become a symbol of Christmas because of the male’s bight red feathers, but I never thought about it until I started seeing ornaments like this one. It’s hard to make out, but the plastic blob on the penguin’s hat is a tiny cardinal. The bird is named for the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, who wear bright red robes. Cardinals (the birds) don’t migrate, so they can be seen throughout their range around Christmas time, even in the cold and snowy northeast. You might even run into one on an expedition into the woods to find a Christmas tree, which might be where this penguin is headed, bundled up in a red sweater and hat and a green sweater. That’s a birdhouse in the penguin’s left wing.

Plastic penguin with hinged brown feet and wings holding birdhouse

Acquired: Dec. 21, 2005, Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, New York City

Number: 0283

Size: 5 inches tall

Price: $12