Pros: Artistic touches make the ornament stand out
Cons: Series continues to have to grow on me each year
The Bottom Line:
Classy rocking horse
Made for some special children
Details will delight
Rock in Style with Santa’s Latest Creation
While I enjoy the many Hallmark ornaments I get, not all of
them are true works of art. However, the
ornaments in the Santa Certified series certainly strive for that mark. These are the supposed to represent the toys
that Santa spends a little extra time on for the extra special boy or girl, and
the results are always filled with great details.
This year’s offering is a rocking horse, but it’s not just
any rocking horse. The horse itself is
white with a dark brown mane and tail.
The saddle and bridle are red with gold accents. Instead of being surrounded but obvious
springs, the horse is standing on a platform surrounded by a railing. The platform is a deep red, and the railing
is gold. Carved into the railing are
trees with bits of holly and even bells also visible. And you can tell that Santa is happy with this
ornament because he has put an SC on the saddle.
And one other detail to make it fun – the horse actually
rocks. Okay, rocks might be too strong a
word (this is an ornament made of plastic, after all), but the horse does move
back and forth when you press gently on it.
While the motion does add to the fun, it’s the little
details that truly make this ornament stand out. The red and gold combine well to make for a
beautiful look, and it seems like every time I look at it, I notice something
new and fun.
As much as I do like the ornament now, it seems like each
year’s offering in this series has to grow on me. When I first see the picture, I’m not too
impressed, but as I continue to look at it in the store before I buy it, I wind
up loving it.
The little details continue to the series marker. Instead of just being a triangle to represent
the Christmas tree, we actually see the branches. It’s bigger, which makes the 3 easier to
read, too. Like in previous years, Santa
has signed this piece as well. All this
is hidden on the bottom of the ornament.
Speaking of which, the bottom is flat enough that you can
set this piece out in any display with no worries about it tipping. Give this series a few more years, and I’m
picturing a wonderful display of Santa’s workshop featuring these toys.
But if you want to hang it on your tree, you will find the
hook on the horse. Slip a loop through
it and you’ll find that it hangs straight.
Would Santa accept anything less?
Pictures truly don’t do this ornament justice. To fully appreciate Santa Certified, you need
to look at the ornament in person. That
will allow you to appreciate the artistry yourself.
Enjoy more of Santa's special creations with the rest of the Santa Certified series.
Original Price: $14.95
I think this ornament is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe more I look at it, the more beautiful it becomes.
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