It’s that time of year. We’ve gotten out of Halfway to Halloween and now we have to prep for Christmas in July. Which means that Hallmark has just released its “Dreambook” for 2024. That dream being that you’ll find the perfect ornaments for your tree in their catalog. Some are sweet, some are sappy, and of course, some are purely nerd heaven. Rather than break them all down by IP, this year I just want to give a quick taste and then send you to their website.
The fandoms run the gamut from Disney animation to Yellowstone. I’m not knocking someone who wants a Yellowstone ornament, just know that it does not include a figure of Kevin Costner looking laconic. They’ve also got all their Storyteller ornaments in stock, though some are only available online. That includes last year’s Haunted Mansion set, with 3 new ornaments to add to the narration this year. (I guessed 2 of the 3 correctly last year.)
First, one for the kids. It’s Bam the Batmobile from the Max series Batwheels. Because of course the Batmobile needed to come alive, combining two of kids favorite things — vehicles and Batman. For what it is, it’s a pretty good series. (And friend of Fanboy Planet David Avallone has written a few episodes.)
To stay in the DC neighborhood, Hallmark has many of the Trinity this year. But this may be the first year they’ve delved into Batman: The Animated Series with a Joker figure. There’s also one that needs to go on my tree — Clark Kent changing into Superman.
There are more — including a return of Batman ’66 to their offerings after a year off. But let us go to the Marvel property on everybody’s minds right now — X-Men ’97. Dropping out of the pine trees of Canada, it’s Wolverine!
Newly minted as a Disney action show, Doctor Who gets decent representation this year, though not a Doctor that Disney+ will actually have the rights to broadcast… yet. Peter Capaldi’s 12th Doctor makes his Hallmark debut, alongside a Cyberman. (You can still get 10 and a Dalek online.)
How about the kaiju movie for kids? Godzilla x Kong gets perfect representation with the cybernetic Kong and the souped up Godzilla.
They’ve got space-faring heroes covered, too. Plenty of Star Trek and Star Wars, a little Galaxy Quest, and impressively, “Pigs in Space!”
Every year, there’s at least one ornament that I have to get because I never thought it would exist. But in 2024, thanks to its high profile on Netflix, we’re getting… Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman.
I will show you Christmas in a handful of dust, indeed. For those new to Hallmark Keepsake Ornament collecting, some will be available starting on July 13, and a second wave will arrive on October 12. You can make your wish list online to have them reserved at your local Hallmark store. (Oddly, I live in a Hallmark store desert, but have had good luck identifying a store that gathers them and ships to me.)
