Hallmark "The Night Before Christmas Series" Miniature Christmas Ornament, 1992

Christmas tree ornament

1992

Designed by LaDene Votruba and Duane Unruh of Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. Ornament made in China, display case made in Hong Kong.

Not on exhibit to the public.

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

on back of ornament: 1992 / 1 / (C) 1992 / Hmk. Cds. on inside front of case: The Night Before Christmas / BY / CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE / 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all / through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not / even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the / chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon / would be there; The children were nestled all snug in / their beds, While visions of sugarplums danced in / their heads; And mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my / cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's / nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, / I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. / Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the / shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the / breast of the new-fallen snow, Gave the luster of / midday to objects below, When, what to my wondering / eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight / tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and / quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More / rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he on back of case: whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: / "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer! and Vixen! / On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the / top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! / dash away! dash away all!" As dry leaves that before / the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an / obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the housetop the / coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. / Nicholas, too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, / The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew / in my head, and was turning around, Down the / chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was / dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his / clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A / bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he / looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes-- / how they twinkled! his dimples--how merry! His cheeks / were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little / mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard on his / chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he / held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his / head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little / round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowl / fully of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old / elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A / wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me / to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, / but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; / then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of / his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He / sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And / away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I / heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Happy / Christmas to all, and to all a good-night." / (C) 1992 HALLMARK CARDS, INC. on front of packaging: NEW! / MINIATURE / ORNAMENT AND / DISPLAY HOUSE / Hallmark / KEEPSAKE / ORNAMENT / Display will / hold entire series! / NEW! Collector's Series / The Night Before Christmas on back of packaging: Hallmark / KEEPSAKE / ORNAMENT / Handcrafted Ornament - Dated 1992 / Pressed Tin Display House / First of five ornaments in The Night Before Christmas Series. / Look for series verification 1 on ornament. / Each of the five ornaments in this new series will illustrate / a portion of Clement C. Moore's beloved poem, The Night / Before Christmas. Your first edition is a delightful inter- / pretation of the line, "Not a creature was stirring, not even / a mouse." / A wonderfully detailed tin Display House has been created / to hold and showcase this series. Inside you will find five / hooks--one hook for your 1992 ornament and four hooks for / the future editions. Attach your first edition to the hook / located near the charming grandfather clock in the parlor. / Each year, as you attach another ornament to the house, the / entire story of Santa's visit will come to life! / Placed on your mantel or table, this unique series with its / colorful tin house will brighten your home every Christmas. / Display the house open during the holidays, and close it / for easy storage after the season is over. / Mfd. for and (C) 1992 Hallmark Cards, Inc., K.C., MO 64141 / Ornament Made in China Tin House Made in Hong Kong. QXM554-1