This article was originally published on Two Savvy Sisters which is no longer active.
Hallmark stores are debuting keepsake ornaments this weekend with over 100 new ornaments, limited quantity ornaments and special offers. Not only did this event remind me that Christmas will be here in less than 80 days but also that I hadn’t written about the Hallmark Holiday Preview. Yes, during the steamy hot August days in New York City for BlogHer this year, I spent 30 minutes immersed in holiday mode (complete with holiday cookies!).
Melrose had another event so I attended with our two other siblings who also blog. We had a brief time waiting for the next tour when we could take in the great view of Central Park from the suite. You really can appreciate the size of the park from above.
Then we got busy learning about the new holiday products available this year. The Scooby-Doo Interactive Story Buddy shown above chimes in on story time when key phrases are read aloud. Not only do you get the book along with the plush Scooby-Doo but also a read along audio CD, free app and access to the digital story time online.
You can get this product for Jingle the Husky Pup, Bill the Husky Pup, Abigail the Bunny, Christopher the Sleepyhead Bear, Bigbsy or Nugget the Dog as well as Scooby-Doo and it retails for $34.95.
We learned about so many products but let me share a few of my favorites with you.
Interactive Holiday Greeting Cards: Some of the features in the interactive card collection blew me away. Who knew there were countdown cards that not only provide a holiday greeting but have a functioning countdown clock letting kids big and small know how long until Christmas!
There were also advent calendar cards, recordable wish list cards and arctic animal cards that provided extra action than just a greeting. Prices range from $1.99 to $6.99.
Recordable Storybooks: I’m a long-distance grandparent and one way to read my grandson a story every night is with a Hallmark recordable storybook. I’ve given him two so far and he loves them. There are six Christmas recordable storybooks available including some of our favorite stories such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or The Night Before Christmas. These retail for $29.99.
Be a Part of the Story: This is Hallmark’s newest line of storybooks and it’s interactive allowing kids to talk to the main character. When highlighted lines are read aloud the character asks the reader a question. When the reader answers the character responds and the story continues. Be sure to look for the title “A Visit to the North Pole” for the holiday season. These retail for $24.95.
Of course, we saw old favorites including greeting cards and keepsake ornaments. My sister has granddaughters who are Justin Bieber fans so she enjoyed the cards featuring the singer. If you’re an Avengers fan like me be sure to take a look at the Avengers ornaments available this holiday season.
It was fun learning about some products I’ll be on the lookout for this holiday season while enjoying candy cane cookies. Do you have a favorite Hallmark holiday item?
Disclosure: I received a gift bag for attending the holiday preview but there was no obligation to write about the event. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.
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