Christmas

Always celebrated December 25

Facts

2011 Product News

• Innovative cards including Vertical Spin with Sound featuring a character who spins to the music when opened; Fiber Optics with Sound has a new light feature; Alternative Activation and Sound with Motion, these cards move and play music when the recipient does something to activate it such as pulling a string to make the bell ring and move; Push Button Motion with Sound activates at the push of a button and has three witty sayings.
• Hallmark.com offers paper cards and e-cards that can be personalized with photos, messages and sounds.
• Almost 400 culturally relevant cards, including more than 100 Mahogany cards for African Americans and almost 300 Hallmark Sinceramente cards for Hispanic consumers. Both lines also offer Cards With Sound.
• More than 250 boxed-card designs cover a range of styles including traditional, faith-based, elegant and fun.
• Some Hallmark products provide a way for consumers to give back during the holidays. A portion of the sale of UNICEF cards and the “Believe in Piece” Hallmark Keepsake Ornament help improve and save the lives of children around the world. A portion of the sale of the “Angel of Inspiration” Hallmark Keepsake Ornament contributes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® to support breast cancer research.
• Eight gift wrap collections feature papers with foils and glitter, bags with attachments such as ribbons and die-cut paper shapes, gift-card presenters, food and wine presenters, value products, and dozens of accessories to dress up a package including tags, jingle bells, glittering stars, plastic light bulbs, bows and ribbons. 
• More than 300 all-new Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments featuring three new series, dozens of favorite licensed characters, and lots of magic – including ornaments with sound, motion and lights.  Two interactive ornament and storybook sets enrich the story-time experience. As readers push buttons on the books, the ornaments respond with lights and sound up to 20 feet away. Featured stories are “A Gift for the Baby” – in which the stable animals tell their side of the nativity story – and “Where’s Santa’s Stuff? A Seek & Find Adventure” in which the ornament gives clues to help find Santa’s stuff in the book. 
• Recordable Storybooks – including "Frosty the Snowman™", "The Very First Christmas" available in Spanish and English, "The Night Before Christmas", "A Charlie Brown Christmas", and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" – enable the gift giver to record his or her voice reading the classic stories. As recipients turn the pages of the book, they will automatically hear the voice of the sender/storyteller. Everyday titles also are available.
• Jingle the Husky Pup, Hallmark’s first Interactive Story Buddy, is back for the holidays with his original title —“Jingle All the Way”  — and another new story ready to bring story time to life. When you read any of the books aloud, the companion Jingle stuffed husky dog barks, whimpers and even sings when certain lines are read.  Winner of two 2010 Dr. Toy awards.  Jingle will also star in an animated holiday special that will air this year on the Hallmark Channel.  The DVD of this holiday special, Jingle All The Way, will be available in Hallmark Gold Crown® stores. Also available this year, Jingle the Husky Pup Keepsake Ornament, and "Jingle’s Countdown to Christmas" Activity Book.
• Wisecrackin’ Gingerbread Boy – newest is the interactive Holiday gift series, is full of surprises and wisecracks when you walk by or open a cabinet door.  He also sings a “sweet” song to the tune of Deck The Hall.
• Merry-Okee allows you to change your voice to sound like an elf—a fun activity for the whole family! This Christmas karaoke microphone features six pre-recorded holiday songs to sing along to—“O Christmas Tree,” “Deck the Halls,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “Jolly Old St. Nick” and “Up on the Housetop.” Includes a song book with original lyrics as well as parody lyrics to add some silliness.
• Other gifts include a singing Jolly in the John Snowman, Rockin’ Talkin’ Hats – Elf or Santa, snow globes – many with light, motion and sound; plush characters including several from the Peanuts gang; holiday cookie plates, countdown calendars and ornaments; books; gourmet chocolates and foods; photo frames; and Hallmark Gold Crown® gift cards.
• Hallmark provides everything needed for a festive holiday party including distinctive paper partyware patterns and unique invitations, doilies, and decorative accessories. In addition, consumers may customize their paper party plates and invitations with personal photos and messages at Hallmark.com.

Holiday History

Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated around the world commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. In the third century, efforts were made to find out the date of the Nativity, but only in the year 336 A.D. was the date of the Dec. 25 festival set in commemoration of Jesus’ birth. Pope Julius formally selected Dec. 25 as the day of Christmas in 349 A.D.

Roman Catholics, Lutherans, members of the Dutch Reformed and Anglican churches, and those of the German sects were most responsible for establishing Christmas traditions in America. Christmas customs spread with the westward expansion of the United States and by the late 1800s had become firmly entrenched in American society.

In Stores

Available at Hallmark Gold Crown® stores nationwide. Use the store locator on Hallmark.com to find the nearest Hallmark Gold Crown store.