When Do Hallmark Ornaments Go on sale? (Don’t Pay Retail!)
It’s that time of year again – well, almost!
The holiday season might seem far away, but for Hallmark ornament collectors like me, it’s always on my mind.
I know I’m not alone in cherishing the tradition of decking the halls with these beautiful keepsakes, each one a little memory hanging on the tree.
However, the joy of collecting can quickly turn into a financial burden if you’re paying full retail price for every single ornament.
The good news is, I’ve learned over the years that scoring Hallmark ornaments at a discount is easier than you might think!
Paying retail?
Absolutely not!
I’m always on the hunt for the best deals.
This article is your guide to navigating the Hallmark ornament sales landscape for 2025.
I’ll be sharing my insider tips on when and where to find the biggest markdowns, allowing you to expand your collection without breaking the bank.
You’ll learn about the annual sales cycles, key dates to mark on your calendar, and proven strategies to maximize your savings.
Get ready to transform your holiday decorating into a budget-friendly and fulfilling experience.
A Glimpse into Hallmark Ornament History
Hallmark ornaments have been a staple in American homes since 1910, after J.
C.
Hall started selling Christmas cards.
It wasn’t until 1973 that Hallmark introduced its first six Keepsake Ornaments: balls of yarn, a miniature rocking horse, and more!
These weren’t just decorations; they were designed to capture memories and celebrate the spirit of the season.
Over the years, Hallmark has released thousands of different ornaments, spanning every imaginable theme, from beloved characters to milestone moments.
Today, Hallmark offers a diverse range of ornaments each year.
There are the ever-popular character ornaments featuring Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel favorites.
Then there are the Storytellers, which interact with each other to create a festive scene.
And let’s not forget the limited edition and exclusive designs, often highly sought after by collectors.
The retail pricing of Hallmark ornaments varies considerably.
A basic, non-licensed ornament might cost around \$7.99, while a more elaborate, licensed character ornament could range from \$19.99 to \$29.99 or more.
Limited edition ornaments and those with special features (like sound or light) can easily exceed \$30 or even \$50.
This price variation is due to the cost of licensing, materials, and the complexity of the design.
That’s why finding these ornaments on sale is so important to me, and hopefully to you too!
Deciphering the Hallmark Sales Cycles
The key to saving money on Hallmark ornaments is understanding their sales cycles.
Hallmark doesn’t just have one big sale; instead, they offer discounts and promotions throughout the year.
Here’s a breakdown of the key dates and trends I’ve observed over the years:
- Ornament Premiere (Usually July): This is when Hallmark releases its new ornament collection.
While not a “sale” in the traditional sense, it’s a crucial time to start planning your purchases.
I often find that pre-ordering popular ornaments during this time guarantees I get them before they sell out, and sometimes there are early-bird discounts or bundled offers.
I’ve also noticed that some stores offer special “premiere weekend” deals, like a percentage off your total ornament purchase. - Dream Book Event (Summer): Leading up to the Ornament Premiere, the Dream Book Event is when Hallmark releases its annual Dream Book catalogue.
This is your chance to browse the upcoming ornament collection and create your wish list.
During the Dream Book Event, Hallmark often offers coupons or other incentives to encourage early purchases. - Black Friday (November): Black Friday is a major shopping event, and Hallmark is no exception.
In past years, I’ve seen deals like “Buy One, Get One 50% Off” on select ornaments, or a flat percentage discount on all ornaments.
Black Friday is a great opportunity to snag ornaments that were released earlier in the year but are still on your list. - Cyber Monday (November): Cyber Monday typically mirrors Black Friday deals, but with a focus on online shopping.
I’ve found that Hallmark’s website often offers exclusive Cyber Monday promotions, such as free shipping on ornament orders or additional discounts on clearance items. - After-Christmas Sales (December 26th onwards): This is where the real savings begin!
After Christmas, Hallmark stores and online retailers mark down their remaining holiday inventory, including ornaments.
Discounts can range from 30% to 75% off, making it the perfect time to stock up for next year or to snag those ornaments you missed earlier in the season. - Clearance Sales (Early January): Following the After-Christmas sales, Hallmark typically holds clearance sales in early January to clear out any remaining holiday merchandise.
This is the last chance to find ornaments at deeply discounted prices.
However, selection is usually limited, so you’ll need to act fast. - Gold Crown Member Exclusive Sales: Throughout the year, I have seen Hallmark offer exclusive sales and promotions to Gold Crown members.
These sales often include discounts on ornaments, as well as early access to new releases and special events.
Data and Trends:
Based on historical data and my own shopping experiences, I’ve compiled a table showing when I typically see the best discounts on Hallmark ornaments:
Predicting 2025 Sales:
While it’s impossible to predict the future with 100% accuracy, I can make some educated guesses about the 2025 Hallmark ornament sales based on past trends.
I expect the Ornament Premiere to occur in July, with potential early-bird discounts for pre-orders.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday will likely offer similar deals to previous years, with discounts ranging from 20% to 50%.
The After-Christmas and Clearance sales will be your best bet for deep discounts, but keep in mind that selection will be limited.
As always, Gold Crown members can expect exclusive sales and promotions throughout the year.
Shopping Strategies for Savvy Collectors
Now that you know when the sales are, let’s talk about how to maximize your savings.
Here are some practical tips that I’ve found helpful over the years:
- Join the Hallmark Gold Crown Rewards Program: This is a no-brainer.
The Gold Crown Rewards program is free to join, and it offers a variety of benefits, including points for every dollar you spend, exclusive coupons and promotions, and early access to sales and events. - Sign Up for Hallmark’s Mailing List: By signing up for Hallmark’s mailing list, you’ll receive notifications about upcoming sales, new product releases, and special events.
This ensures that you never miss out on a potential deal. - Follow Hallmark on Social Media: Hallmark is active on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Following them on these platforms is a great way to stay informed about limited-time offers, contests, and other promotions. - Join Hallmark Collector Groups: There are numerous online communities dedicated to Hallmark ornament collecting.
These groups are a great place to connect with other collectors, share tips and advice, and stay informed about upcoming sales and promotions. - Shop Online vs.
In-Store: Both online and in-store shopping have their advantages.
Online shopping offers the convenience of browsing from home and comparing prices across different retailers.
It’s also a great way to find exclusive online deals.
In-store shopping allows you to see the ornaments in person before you buy them, and it can be a fun experience to browse the aisles during the holiday season. - Leverage Coupons, Promo Codes, and Cashback Websites: Before making a purchase, always search for coupons and promo codes online.
Many websites offer discounts on Hallmark ornaments, and you can often find cashback offers through websites like Rakuten or Honey.
Popular Hallmark Ornament Events
Hallmark often hosts special events and promotions throughout the year, which can provide opportunities to purchase exclusive ornaments at discounted prices.
Here are a few events to keep an eye out for:
- Ornament Premieres and Signing Events: Hallmark often hosts ornament premieres and signing events with artists who design the ornaments.
These events can be a great opportunity to meet the artists, get your ornaments signed, and purchase exclusive ornaments that are not available elsewhere. - Holiday-Themed Events at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores: During the holiday season, Hallmark Gold Crown stores often host special events, such as ornament decorating workshops, holiday-themed parties, and visits from Santa Claus.
These events can be a fun way to celebrate the holidays and potentially score some discounted ornaments.
The Benefits of Pre-Ordering and Collecting
Pre-ordering limited edition ornaments offers several advantages.
First, it guarantees that you’ll get the ornament before it sells out.
Second, you may be able to take advantage of early-bird discounts or bundled offers.
Finally, pre-ordering allows you to spread out your purchases over time, which can be helpful for budgeting.
Collecting Hallmark ornaments can be a rewarding hobby, and it can even be a smart investment.
Some limited edition ornaments can increase in value over time, especially if they are in good condition and come with their original packaging.
To maintain the value of your collection, it’s important to store your ornaments properly and display them carefully.
Final Thoughts on Saving Money on Hallmark Ornaments
As I’ve shown you, saving money on Hallmark ornaments isn’t rocket science.
By understanding the sales cycles, utilizing shopping strategies, and taking advantage of special events, you can expand your collection without breaking the bank.
Remember to plan ahead for the 2025 holiday season and to put the information shared in this article to good use.
I invite you to share your experiences, tips, or favorite ornaments in the comments section below or on social media.
I’m always eager to learn from other collectors and to hear about your strategies for saving money on Hallmark ornaments.
Happy collecting!
