I've been collecting Hallmark Ornaments since 1984. I, too, collect whatever catches my fancy. Hallmark has had some really cute ornaments over the years although some of them are getting quite expensive.
In 1984, I bought two ornaments, Alpine Elf and Bell Ringer Squirrel. I have the Collector's Value Guide for Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments (1998 Edition) so I was able to inventory my ornaments each year. I need to get a more current value guide. I went back to see how many ornaments I bought each year and I was able to see some significant times in my life through my ornament spending - 1988 (24 ornaments) was the year I got a major promotion and life was rosy, 1990 (3 ornaments) was the year I decided to make a major change in my life, quit my job and moved to San Francisco, 1991 (20 ornaments) brought a new, better job and 1994 (21 ornaments) the year our daughter was born (had to have every First Baby's Christmas version that came out!).
I've been fortunate to patronize some amazing Hallmark stores. From 1984 to 1990, I lived in California and the local Hallmark store was amazing. The premiere weekend was a huge affair. When I moved to Guam in 1991, there was no Hallmark store on island at the time. A friend in California sent me the Dreambook for 1991 and I contacted the store (the one I shopped at from 1984 to 1990) to place an order. They were so helpful, I called in my order, mailed a check and my order arrived, not only very timely and packed securely, but with an extra ornament inside as a thank you gift. I continued to order from them until I left the Western Pacific in 1995. We moved on to Florida then (the start of our Navy days) and again found an amazing Hallmark store. This was the best one I have ever had - premiere weekend included refreshments, drawings, an incredible party. Outstanding customer service. In the years since then, I have not been so fortunate. It seems that customer service has gone by the wayside, as an eye for the bottom line seems to be more important. I still buy Hallmark ornaments, just not as many.
I buy the Daughter ornament every year, as well as a Dog ornament and something for Sophia's annual school photo. There used to be cute School Days photo-holder ornaments but I haven't seen those in a couple of years. Now and then, I'll pick up something else that catches my eye. I bought Mom and Dad ornaments for my parents for quite a few years and then after 1994, we became Mom and Dad. When my mother died, I inherited all of the ornaments I bought for my parents so they are very special. I also have New Home ornaments for each time we moved (1995, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008). As you can see, not only have we moved quite a bit with the Navy, we've also changed houses within moves as well.
I've got about 300 Hallmark ornaments, all in their original boxes. Decorating our tree takes about three days! It's a lot of fun, though, because as I unwrap each one, it has a special memory and memories are a big part of Christmas.
Do I have a favorite? I have several - on the whimsical side, I love Popcorn Mouse (1986). On the special memories side, Travels with Santa (1988) commemorates all the time we spent as kids in Belgium where we had a trailer at the beach we would retreat to every weekend - I bought one for my parents as well so now I have two. Mom-to-be and Dad-to-be (1993) are special reminders of expecting Sophia and Across the Miles (1995) commemorates my husband's first deployment.
If you are missing a particular ornament, one of the best secondary dealers I have used is The Ornament Shop. You can find them here:
http://www.ornament-shop.com/
Will you be shopping this weekend? What's on your Dreambook Wish List? I've got four ornaments on my list - You're a Superstar (closest one I could find for my daughter's school photo), Daughter, Good Dog, and Where Everybody Knows Your Name to commemorate our trip to Cheers in Boston.
Happy Collecting and Making Memories!