Blue star

This was supposed to be a Christmas gift, but it somehow got lost in the holiday hoopla. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no such thing as a late penguin ornament. It’s always Christmas here at My Penguin Tree, however this penguin is the end of the line, at least for now. I don’t have any more ornaments to write about and I don’t think there’ll be any more until we get closer to Christmas again. I’m happy to have a nice ornament like this as the last one, because it’ll be what everyone sees when they come to the blog over the coming months. I have big plans for this ornament. It’s going to look great at the top of the blue tree next Christmas.

Metal star with penguin and cardinal

Acquired: January 25, 2012

Number: 1058

Size: 3.5 inches tall

Price: gift from Jen Babaz and Evan Holt

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

Swinging on a star

An Eskimo and a little blue penguin ride high on a clear plastic star. It looks a lot like a Hallmark ornament, but I found it at Target.

Home@Target star ornament

Acquired: Nov. 25, 2006, Target, Middletown, N.J.

Number: 316

Size: 3.5 inches tall

Price: $3.99

Does it count?

I was on my almost yearly ski trip to Stowe, Vt., and stopped to see what I might find at the Christmas Loft. The store is gone now, but it was a regular stop for years. On this trip I didn’t see any penguin ornaments right away. One of the store clerks asked me if I was looking for anything particular. “Penguins,” I said. “Do you have any penguin ornaments?” She led me to the back of the store muttering, “Penguins, penguins.” Then she took this ornament from the wall, held it up for me to see and asked, ”Does this one count?” There was another ornament, which turned out to be a duplicate, but this one made the stop at the Christmas Loft worthwhile.

Krinkl Xmas Eve Mini penguins on a star-shaped sleigh with clown-like snowman holding an umbrella

Acquired: Feb. 3, 2006, Christmas Loft, Stowe, Vt.

Number: 285

Size: 2.75 inches tall

Price: $8.50

Star power

With so many penguin ornaments it’s difficult to pick a favorite, but this little glass penguin would be near the top of the list. It’s brightly colored and covered with black glittery feathers and it clutches a big upside down gold star close to its body. He has a sad little expression on his face that is priceless. It was a gift from John and Del Galietti, my brother-in-law’s parents.

Glass penguin with big gold star

Acquired: December 2004

Number: 265

Size: 3.25 inches

A familiar name

This one’s got a unique star shape, the year, “New York,” a penguin with a heart and the artist’s signature etched in the clay on the bottom right point. I should have bought one for my sister, Gale West, who has the same name with a different spelling.

New York 2004 penguin on a brown clay star by artist Gail West

Acquired: December 17, 2004, Christmas Cottage, New York City

Number: 262

Size: 4.25 inches tall

Price: $9.95