Ornament Review: Santa Certified #3 - Rocking Horse - 2015 Hallmark Ornament

Stars: 5 out of 5

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