A Selection of Hallmark Ornaments: Costumes

After transforming himself into Santa Claus with his do-it-yourself costume, the Grinch casts a satisfied glance in the mirror before setting out to wreak mischief on the unsuspecting inhabitants of Whoville. Aided by his Santa disguise, the Grinch plans to creep into the town during the night to spoil the Whos' holiday--stealing their Christmas presents, decorations, and even the Who pudding and roast beast for the Whos' feast!

Kids love wearing costumes that help them play "let's pretend." Whether dressing up as fictional characters inspired by books or movies, or adult roles from real life, kids enjoy donning outfits that let them explore other identities. In Hallmark's "Dreaming Big" ornament, a child--accompanied by a trusty firehouse Dalmatian--dresses up in a hat and pants to "try on" the life of a firefighter.

Costumes visually transform stage and screen actors into the characters they play. The Wizard of Oz--one of the first movies filmed in Technicolor--required unusual costumes for its fantasy setting. Patched clothing made fitting garments for the Scarecrow, a metal suit defined the Tin Man, and a furry bodysuit created the look of the Cowardly Lion, while a gingham jumper transformed a teenage actress into little Dorothy Gale from Kansas.

Peanuts cartoon character Snoopy transforms into his alter-ego, hip college student Joe Cool, by putting on a pair of sunglasses, slipping on some stylish "threads," and striking a pose. With Joe Cool, the costume is minimal--the attitude everything.

In the 1950s television comedy series, I Love Lucy, Lucy Ricardo will do anything to "get into the act" at her husband Ricky's New York City nightclub. Hearing they need a ballet dancer for one number, Lucy stretches the truth and claims to have been a ballerina. She dons a ballet costume--and attends Madame LeMond's class to build her ballet skills. As usual, Lucy's performance at the nightclub goes awry!

In Disney's animated feature film, 101 Dalmatians, Cruella de Vil's obsession with furs drives her to murderous cruelty in her quest for a coveted Dalmatian puppy fur coat. Greedy, vain, and overtly evil, Cruella is defined by her sinister appearance, wrapped in a luxurious fur coat while keeping her eye on the bigger prize--a coat made from the skin of Dalmatian puppies!

What to many is everyday clothing can become a "costume" to others. Superman's business suit allows this superhero to blend into everyday life by assuming his secret identity as newspaper reporter Clark Kent.

Bugs Bunny dons a flamboyant costume while "performing a whirlwind tribute to the Latin dance craze of the 1940s." In a 1944 Warner Bros. cartoon, What's Cookin' Doc?, Bugs performed an impression of Brazilian star Carmen Miranda, known for the signature fruit headdress that she wore in her American films. During the early 1940s, Miranda's performances popularized Brazilian music and dance in America.

Costumes enhance all types of performances. For skaters, the costumes are designed not only to be attractive, but to accommodate the athletic movement of the skater as they perform leaps and turns.

In the movie, A Christmas Story, Aunt Clara turns bedtime into a costume-wearing opportunity for her nephew Ralphie--much to Ralphie's horror. Aunt Clara--who can't seem to remember that Ralphie is no longer four years old--gives him pink bunny pajamas as a Christmas present. If his friends at Warren G. Harding school find out, Ralphie will never live it down!

Costumes are an integral part of Halloween for many, worn by adults and children for parties or trick-or-treating. In It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, a 1966 animated television special, Peanuts cartoon character Lucy chooses a classic Halloween disguise, a witch--claiming that it is the opposite of her real personality.