Stars: 3 out of 5
Pros: Honors 20 years of Spotlight on Snoopy
Cons: Very similar to original piece, larger with less detail
The Bottom Line:
This ornament for
Series anniversary
Not what I hoped for
Disappointing Anniversary Piece
When I realized that the Spotlight on Snoopy series was
hitting number 20 this year, I was hoping that Hallmark would celebrate with a
special anniversary piece. While they did,
the result was disappointing.
The problems with the piece start off with the design. It’s very similar to the first ornament in
the series. Both feature Snoopy and his
friend Woodstock getting ready to fill in for Santa. Snoopy’s wearing red and he has a huge green
sack of toys. Woodstock is holding the
map of their route while Snoopy gives us the thumbs up. He’s not wearing sun glasses, something he
was doing in the original as part of his Joe Cool persona (the original
ornament was called Joe Cool after all).
Okay, I get it. Unlike other series where it is easy to
combine items or characters for an anniversary piece, this one is hard since it
is Snoopy and Woodstock each year. There
are slight changes, but you have to really look at them side by side to see
that. Couldn’t they have found something
different for the anniversary piece?
Snoopy and Woodstock blowing out 20 candles on a cake? That would tie into this year’s ornament in
the series in fact since Snoopy is a baker in it.
That aside, the next issue is the size. This ornament is noticeably bigger than not
only the rest of the series but the other Peanuts ornaments. You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Great,
more detail.” You’d be wrong. There’s actually less detail here than in the
regular pieces. Because the size is
bigger, it costs more than the regular piece as well, which is no
surprise. Additionally, to set it apart,
it is made from porcelain, which makes it a bit more fragile.
I actually saw all of this except the size from the
Dreambook that Hallmark released this spring.
I was hoping that it would be better looking in person, but it isn’t.
Now don’t get me wrong.
This isn’t a bad ornament. It’s
just not a good ornament either. And
since I really need to cut back on what I buy (and considering what I’ve bought
already this year and plan to buy later, you can stop laughing now), this makes
an easy one to eliminate. That’s
disappointing since, as I say every year, this series is the series I’ve been
collecting since the 2000’s, before I got into collecting Hallmark ornaments to
the extent I do today.
Snoopy has big feet in this ornament, and they provide
enough of a base that you can set this ornament out. Or you can hang him. Since the loop is on Snoopy’s head, which
isn’t centered, you’ll find that he tips slightly to the right. It’s noticeable, but it would be easy enough
to overlook if the rest of the ornament were better.
It’s easy to pick apart the flaws in this ornament,
especially if you were hoping for better.
If you are missing the first in the series, this anniversary piece might
be worth picking up. For long term fans,
this 20th Anniversary piece is a mixed bag, however.
With 20 ornaments, there are plenty to choose from in the Spotlight on Snoopy series.
Original Price: $17.95
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