When Hallmark reveals their ornaments through the “Dream Book,” it’s in anticipation of a big July event at your local Hallmark store. Then, either because everything deserves a sequel or Hallmark understands you need to pace out your purchases, some come out in October. This is the way. With one exception: Star Wars. This year, there’s plenty coming out in July and October, but if you’re a player in the collectibles space you have to acknowledge a holiday fans have wedged into the calendar. May the 4th be with you as Leia and Wicket arrive two months early.
On July 15, you really will see a scene from The Empire Strikes Back get re-enacted. According to their site, “Into the Carbon-Freezing Chamber” requires a Keepsake Power Cord for the full effect. (A similar busy ornament from Batman 66 required batteries, not a cord.) At this point, it’s also almost beside the point to have these on a tree. They’re heavy, they’re cool, and they deserve to not be hidden behind pine or fir branches.
It looks like when you push a button, dialogue from the film plays and Han slowly sinks into the carbon chamber. So you know which dialogue will play. In case anyone doesn’t know how the sequence ends, YES, Han pops back up frozen in carbonite. Again, this needs to be on a shelf so you can show it to your friends. It’s a little pricey at $64.99 compared to other ornaments, but Han pops back up frozen in carbonite.
Another July 15 release that’s not quite as expensive but no less impressive is Jabba the Hutt. For the past couple of years, Hallmark has been experimenting with small mechanicals encased in neoprene. Jabba speaks and moves, and the skin looks and feels just about right. It’s unclear if Salacious Crumb moves and laughs, but that might be a dream too far. Jabba’s Barge will also be available, but not to Jabba’s scale.
Last year, Hallmark released an animated figure of Grogu wrapped in a Christmas gift, and it was duly adorable. Both the venerable card company and Lucasfilm know that Grogu is still selling well. There may not be quite as much this year — last year had 4 ornaments with Grogu — but these should satisfy collectors and casual fans.
You can have your Din Djarin and Grogu screen accurate, or as LEGO mini-figures. Why not take both? “Grogu’s Jetpack Adventure” will be part of the July 15 release, and the LEGO figures will be available October 14.
Also holding off until October are Ahsoka Tano and young Princess Leia figures. With Ahsoka streaming in August and likely to be a hit, it’s nice that Hallmark is waiting and letting demand build for this pretty great sculpt of Rosario Dawson in the role. Though reaction to Obi-Wan seems to have been mixed, no one doubts that Leia and her droid Lola were hits. This ornament, however, will only be available on October 14 in limited quantities. Again, find the store you want to frequent!
Also only available at an ornament premiere, R2-D2 will serve drinks from your tree. They’re definitely building up a little display corner for Return of the Jedi.
It’s still nice to stop, pause, and remember where it all began. This “Now Showing” lit marquee with the classic Brothers Hildebrandt poster for Star Wars won’t arrive until October 14, but to me it should have been the May 4th release. It all started here. Clear away all the rest and remember when it was about a boy, a girl, and a galaxy.
The tree comes much later.
Other ornament coverage for 2023:
