Have you visited the Hallmark Visitor Center in Kansas City? If you do you get to see the magic of the Hallmark Ornament Trees. Let me share a few treasured glimpses.
Seeing the trees close up means you can admire the wealth of detail in each tree’s deocrations, so, I hope you can enjoy some in my post today as you celebrate the upcoming holidays.
The History of the Hallmark Ornament Trees
Each of these artificial Christmas trees was created by the staff at Hallmark for their founder J C Hall.
The tradition started with everyone creating a special card and evolved into what is now a magnificent display and the Hallmark Christmas trees are known the world over.
The tree was revealed in the days before Christmas each year. Can you imagine the excitement? It must have brrn intense – right?
Imagine Mr Hall’s delighted reaction to the unveiling of each year’s tree and for 17 years the tree was a cherished holiday tradition. It only stopped when Mr Hall died in 1982.
Ready to take a look at some of the Christmas Trees?
This Christmas Tree is Ceramic
This is one tree that certainly made a huge impression on me. The work involved is immense and it is truly a labour of love for Mr Hall. IThe impressession and presence of the tree really captures the spirit of Christmas.
The magical cookies and angels were breathtaking and I got as close as I could to see the wealth of fine detail. I wish they had a book of photographs of all the details of the trees.
Check out this Dough Craft Christmas Tree
It is as far away from a realistic Christmas trees as you can get. This is ‘dough craft’ and wow, just check out the details. Dough is actually a difficult medium to capture details with, but the artists really rocked the smallest details.
If you look at our recipe at the end of this post you can see what goes into making dough. Then imagine how you might go about creating one figure.
The Schneeberg Collage Tree
This tree is, quite simply, beautiful. It was created by Robert ‘Bob’ Schneeberg for J C Hall.
Schneeberg’s collages were used on many of Hallmark’s finest greetings cards. It was almost impossible to capture the beauty of this tree, so I went for some of its lovely detail.
The Hallmark Crazy Patchwork Tree
As an enthusiastic but not very good quilter I thought this was the most breathtaking tree. The colours are perfect, the labour involved must have taken forever! Look at the ribbons, the tiny flowers and the little dachshund and the pieces of lace. The more I look, the more I see!
Visiting the Hallmark Visitors Centre
We loved the visit. The centre is not large but captures perfectly the pioneering history of Hallmarks Greeting cards, the exquisite ornaments and the creative artists who design such treasures for the world’s foremost greetings card company.
There is a tiny gift shop with a nicely curated selection of fun mementoes for all ages too. Well worth a peek!
I hope you enjoyed our glimpse into this magical world that Hallmark artists created. I feel so lucky to have been able to visit Kansas City and see it for myself.
Salt Dough Recipe:
- A basic dough is made from flour, salt and water. Vegetable oil is added as this makes the dough much easier to work.
- Knead for 10 minutes then cut into shapes or whatever your imagination inspires.
- Bake in an oven for C150/F300 for 30 minutes and allow to cool before painting with poster or acrylic paint.
- Varnish if required.
- Children must be supervised for their own safety.
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Sweet Purrfections says
I wish I could have visited Hallmark. I saw Lisa (who works there) but never thought about asking to visit the location. Such beautiful trees with a lot of history.
Adriana says
WE love Christmas and this would have been a nice place to visit while in Kansas City. We really din;yt have time but I guess next time this is a must do!
Rachel says
This place looks sooo cool! I love Christmas and I would love to visit a place with all of these Christmas trees! Thank you for sharing!
Amelia Johnson says
I never knew this place existed or the history behind these Christmas trees…it figures that such creative people would be able to create such beautiful trees. I remember playing with salt dough as a child but can’t remember what we made…lol
Shannon says
Super neat!! I didn’t know about this.. so beautiful. The bow maker was my fav!!
Dash Kitten says
Mine too. I could have stood there all day but there was a queue!!
Jana Rade says
Wow, those are definitely creative and beautiful. I’m old fashioned that way – I like regular plain ol’ tree.
The Daily Pip says
Gosh, I missed this and wish I had allowed a little more time for exploring Kansas City. I only left the hotel once – note to self, arrive early next year!
I agree with you. Absolutely love the quilted patchwork tree! I do not have any quilting skills, but admire those who do!
Cathy Armato says
Aren’t these beautiful? We loved visiting the Hallmark Center, it’s a very cool place. Great job sharing this beauty with everyone!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Amy Hempe says
So much work went into those crafts! I’m glad you found places to visit this year. Next year you’ll have to compare the Florida beaches to New Zealand’s!
Beth says
That must have been so interesting to visit! I give each of my kids an ornament every year on Christmas Eve. I saw a few familiar ones in your video.
Dorothy "FiveSibesMom" says
I couldn’t wait to read this post when I saw it on the boost!!! I loooove everything about Christmas and Hallmark – from their ornaments to their movies and TV series! You were so lucky to see this in person! How awesome! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Kamira says
Wow. I never knew about the Hallmark Ornament Trees. Thanks for sharing your experience and love the vintage video. Hmm..I think my favorite tree is the cerami and patchwork tree. Amazing detail.
Hindy Pearson says
Although I had hoped to not hear the “C” word again until at least November, the trees are lovely and seems like an interesting place to visit. My trauma was caused by one of my friend’s over the top shopping that started about 5 months before the holiday…and I seem to have gotten dragged into!!
Ruth Epstein says
What an amazing place and those trees are just stunning. I might be Jewish but Christmas Trees always so beautiful and these are especially stunning. Thank you so much for sharing this great visit of yours
HollyAnne says
So beautiful- what a great experience. The salt dough recipe gave me a throw back – my kids and I used to make salt dough ornaments every year
Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat says
What original (and incredible) works of art! I had no idea they had these. The salt dough recipe looks familiar … my Mom was a preschool teacher … good memories.
Melissa & Mudpie says
Christmas in May…I love it! What a pawsome place. This weekend I plan to pick up the new Hallmark Dream Book to see all the new ornaments coming out in July!
Seville at Nerissa's Life says
Hmmm… I wonder if the peep could make a salt dough ornament of me with that recipe. What do you think? You think it might be the best ornament on the tree? purrs
Roby Sweet says
I would love to visit there! Hallmark ornaments are some of my favorites.
MrJackFreckles/Pipo/Angel-Minko says
Wow, that would be a fun place to visit! Beautiful trees!
Ellen Pilch says
That looks like a great place to visit. We have several Hallmark ornaments.
Memories of Eric and Flynn says
Those trees are beautiful! Thanks for sharing them.
Deziz World says
Well, we’d never heard ’bout the hallmark christmas trees. The video was a bit too dark fur mommy to be able to see. Kittens Those cataracts really mess with your eyes. MOL Glad you had fun. Big hugs
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
The Swiss Cats says
What a cool place to visit ! Purrs
Comedy Plus says
I want to go. What a fun place.
Have a fabulous Thankful Thursday!
Sheltie Times says
What a fun trip.
Laila and Minchie says
What a treat! Thank you so much for sharing as our mum grew up in Kansas City and her uncle worked for Hallmark all his life.
Brian Frum says
It’s so wonderful you got to see all those magical Christmas Trees up close and purrsonal! Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Summer says
My human used to work with salt dough all the time when she was a kid.
ERin the Cat (Princess) says
What a lovely insight into a wonderful world that maybe we take too much for granted. Lovely artwork and obviously many skilled and passionate people work there.
Toodle pips and purrs
ERin
Lone Star Cats says
How cool! Momma collects Hallmark ornaments.
meowmeowmans says
Wow, what a neat place to visit! Thank you for sharing that with us, Marjorie!