TulaneLSU's 2019 Christmas Pilgrimage II: Top 10 Decorations at Hallmark

Sometimes I love doing Top 10 lists. Other times, like this one, it is a chore, a debitum to my dear readers and friends. The Christmas story I wish to tell is no burden. The trip to Hallmark, on the other hand, was such a flop that to recount it pains me. Onward we must march, just as the Magi and the Pilgrims westward they went.

Early in American history, the colonists were quite mixed on how they would celebrate or not Christmas. Those in the Southern and Mid-Atlantic colonies were quite open to using the day as one for revelry, large family meals, and shooting their guns. Some celebrated the Christian origin of the day -- and for most it was just that: a celebration, much in fashion with the English interpretation for how the day should be observed.

In the New England colonies, though, Puritans banned celebrating Christmas. When Charles II replaced Cromwell’s commonwealth and restored the monarchy, he made sure Puritans in the colonies, who had passed anti-Christmas laws during Cromwell’s rule, had no such power to enforce them. As non-Puritan English poured into New England, Christmas celebrations became commonplace. Puritans still were the majority in New England, but Charles II’s power over the colony and the new English arrivals meant the revelry of the Southern states moved northward. Puritans lamented greatly over these festivities they saw as nothing short of sin, for they understood the day’s chronological DNA came from Saturnalia.

I must apologize, my friends, for I just do not feel like writing today. I will leave you with some pictures of my recent visit to the Hallmark on Metairie Road, probably not too far from Tiger Attorney. I’ve read it argued that Hallmark was the first company to monetize Christmas. Hallmark began the tradition of Christmas cards in 1915, as well as Christmas wrapping paper in 1917. Hallmark is now better known for its Hallmark Channel, which launched in 2001 and since 2009 has run its beloved Countdown to Christmas with a steady stream of Christmas-themed movie. I have never seen any of them, as I do not get that channel. It would depend on my mercurial mood as to whether I would like them or not.

TulaneLSU’s Top 10 Hallmark Christmas Decorations

10. Conceited Santa

Hallmark was really disappointing. I’ve struggled making Top 10 Christmas lists at several stores, but I didn’t expect that from Hallmark. I mean, this post is so uninspired and uninspiring I almost don’t want to post it. This is kind of a nice figurine of Santa, I guess, but why’s he wearing an apron while reading to Rudolph? And why is he wearing an apron of himself? A little conceited, don’t you think?

9. Church Globe



I think snowy displays with a warm, white church will always be a part of Christmas, even when the secularists eventually rid our stores of the word Christmas.

8. Winking Santa Mug



Not nearly as nice as the Lennox version of these you can get at Dillard’s and Macy’s, but still cute. I can picture cuddling up on the grizzly fur next to the fireplace with some hot chocolate in this mug.

7. Decorated Glass Ball



Pickings were slim, but I do love Polish blown glass. The color theme would go well on a Mardi Gras tree.

6. Nutcracker Ornament



I was relieved to read that The Saenger will be reopening in December and that the post-Christmas one day run of The Nutcracker is scheduled to run. Three cheers.

5. Santa Ornament



What’s in Santa’s bag? Santa is making a splash with his blue robe. It’s a relatively boring piece, but in the right tree, it would look nice.

4. Glass Angel Ornament



Look into her eyes and you will see what she means to me. The wreath is bold and her dress is fabulous. If I found a sweater with that design, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

3. Manger Scene



The faceless manger scene is a repeating theme I’ve seen in several stores recently. I really do not like it because the people at the manger truly had faces. It harkens Orual’s question: “How can they (the gods) meet us face to face till we have faces?” in C.S. Lewis’s novel with that title.

2. Santa’s Naughty and Nice List



Today, I feel like I’ve landed on this list. I’ve not been very nice and I feel really crummy about it. I pray I will fix my gaze on that which is holy and beautiful and not what is expedient and clever. Forgive me, I pray. But unlike Santa, our God is faithful and just and will cleanse us of our unrighteousness. God does not hold our sins against us, but welcomes the prodigal, us, with open arms.

1. The Town Gathers Plate



One of the reasons modern science was birthed by Christendom and not elsewhere is Christianity’s insistence that our experiences and knowledge be shared. Here this spirit is expressed in the communal circle around a tree of life. A simple, staid tree glows in the bleak midwinter; frosty wind made moan. If you don’t know Christina Rossetti’s beautiful Christmas poem, read it and it will evoke such emotion you may memorize it this very evening. This scene brings that poem to my heart, as I yearn for that heavenly cloud, for him to come to reign. Pilgrims, we are, you and I, and we gather for that light while all around is cold.

I edit to include an observation I made this morning. Do you see the shadows the light casts behind onlookers? So too does the light of Christ allow us to put the shadows behind us. True repentance and turning to the light — just as the allegory of the cave— puts the dark behind us so we may glorify in the light of the world!

I apologize. Hallmark did not inspire me.