Ornament Review: The Nativity #2 - Wise Men - 1999 Hallmark Ornament

Stars: 4 out of 5

Pros: Miniature ornament with good detail

Cons: Color would have really helped

The Bottom Line:

Wise men come second

In this small Hallmark series

Good detail for size

Wise Men Seek Jesus – Early

When you are creating a traditional nativity scene, you of course include the three wise men.  Oh, I know the arguments about them coming later and us not knowing how many there were, but we are talking about tradition here.  Which is why they are the second ornament in the Nativity miniature series from Hallmark.

This 1999 ornament is just the trio of wise men.  Two of them are kneeling as they hold their gifts, and the one in the middle is standing.  The ornaments in this series are made out of pewter, so they are all the same shade of gray, but it works here since there is more than enough detail carved into the ornament to tell for sure who they are.  Yes, it would be nice if they were painted, but it isn’t necessary.

It’s actually rather impressive that they make they got this much detail into the ornament, since this is a miniature ornament.  We’re talking about something that is an inch and a half tall and an inch and a quarter wide and includes three men.  Yes, detail could have been better, but you know who they are, so I’m happy with it.

The middle wise man has the loop for hanging sticking out of his head.  This ornament hangs straight, which is no surprise since it looks like an easy ornament to balance.  The ornament is a bit heavy since it is made from pewter, but because it is small, it’s not too heavy.

However, you can also set this out with the others in the series to create a miniature nativity since the bottom is perfectly flat.  You’ll also find the 2 in a Christmas tree series marker down there.

I must admit I was surprised to find the Wise Men as the second ornament in this series.  I always think of them in the order they most likely arrived, Shepherds and then Wise Men.  But if we are going in Gospel order, Matthew (which has the story of the Wise Men) does come before Luke (which has the story of the Shepherds).

Either way, this miniature ornament of the wise men is a good one to have if you are looking for a small set of nativity ornaments.

If you want this ornament, you'll definitely to get the rest of the Nativity miniature series.

Original Price: $9.95