Ornament Review: Santa's Grandfather Clock - 2014 Hallmark Ornament

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Great details in this work of art

Cons: “Club Exclusive” on the back

The Bottom Line:

Tick tock Santa’s clock

Is truly a work of art

Beautiful to see

The Clock Says Time to Deliver Presents

Over the last few years, the Hallmark ornament artists have been collaborating on various pieces of furniture in Santa and Mrs. Claus’s house.  While Santa's Grandfather Clock was only designed by one artist, Edythe Kegrize, it does fit with the other pieces in the unofficial series.

As you would expect, this ornament is tall and lean.  At the top is the clock face, and much of the ornament is made up of the weights that help it run.  This is a very old fashion looking clock.

However, what sets it apart from ordinary clocks is the design elements all over.  Down at the base, there is a winter scene with snow and evergreen trees.  In front of that, there are two reindeer, a father and child it looks like running across the background.  Up on the top, trees frame the clock face with two squirrels down at the bottom.  The entire part above the weights looks like a house, with a bird poking his head out of the window and a chimney sticking out on top.  There is snow on the roof of the house, and all the snow on the ornament has glitter as part of it.

Unlike last year’s Santa’s Magic Cuckoo Clock, this ornament doesn’t have any sound or movement.  However, it doesn’t really need it.  It looks beautiful all by itself, and I immediately knew I wanted it for the second item in my KOC membership this year.

This ornament is only available to members who join Hallmark’s Keepsake Ornament Club.  You’ll have to order this one on line if you want it new or find someone willing to sell you theirs.

This also leads to my only complaint with this ornament.  There is a Club Exclusive marking on the back of the ornament.  Admittedly, this isn’t the side you’d want out since it is the back of the ornaments, and, just like the back of any clock, it’s rather plain.  Still, it does take away from the overall art of the piece.  Hallmark does this with all of the membership pieces, but usually they do a better job of disguising it than they do here, which is the only reason I am pointing it out.

Being a clock, it does have a flat base, or at least the feet on the bottom all touch levelly.  And if you set the clock down on a flat surface, it does stand up all by itself.   I don’t recommend keeping the ornament displayed that way for any length of time however because it is so tall that it will topple over if the shelf you are displaying it on is bumped at all.

Therefore, you’ll be glad to know that the ornament hangs straight.  Just slip a hanger through the loop at the top of the ornament, and you are ready to go.

Santa's Grandfather Clock is so beautiful to look at.  Just like the bigger studio pieces, there are fun details that I could stare at for hours.  I’m thrilled to have it in my collection and can’t wait to put it on my tree this year.

Box Price: $20.00