There’s no Keepsake Ornament series sweeter than Season’s Treatings and this year marks its 15th anniversary! To celebrate the occasion, the 15th ornament in the series, a train with Santa as its engineer, is joined by a Special Edition ornament, a train depot where Mrs. Claus awaits.

Sharon Visker

Keepsake Artist Sharon Visker found her inspiration in a tabletop piece she created back in 2021. “I had worked on Deck the Gingerbread House, and I really liked it and wanted to do more gingerbread. So this year, I did the Gingerbread Village (available now) with sound, light and motion. And I decided to do the Season’s Treatings with gingerbread as well.”

In fact, if you look at the Season’s Treatings train, you’ll see a miniature version of it, with slightly different coloring, on the Gingerbread Village train track! And I also put a ‘15’ emblem on the caboose to celebrate the series anniversary.”

As for the train depot Special Edition ornament, Sharon gives credit for the idea to Art Director Charles Young. “Charles suggested we add something to the series this year for the anniversary. And he said, ‘Why don’t you do something that goes with a train—what about a depot?’ So, I did a quick sketch to get the idea on track.” (Good one, Sharon.)

She continues, “I tried to coordinate the size so if the train did pull up to the depot, they’re kind of in scale. The train depot is a little smaller but they’re similar. I couldn’t do it spot on or the depot would have gotten too big. Then, when it came to some finishing touches, I gave a nod to candy canes with the checkered roof and added gumballs to the top. I really wanted the two pieces to stay Christmas-y with coordinated colors.

I also used actual decorating tips for the icing on the roof, and I specifically asked that it not be fixed to look perfect. I wanted it to look real, like any person might have done it. It’s kind of rough and I like that it looks more authentic. I prefer something real over something perfect.”
And you might be wondering where Mrs. Claus is waiting to go. Sharon says, “Mrs. Claus has packed her suitcase and is waiting for Santa to pick her up so they can go—where else—to Gingerbread Village!”

You can pick up the Season’s Treatings Special Edition ornament beginning December 1 (for KOC members only), at our ’Tis the Season event. The series ornament (Santa in the train) is available now. And if you’re wondering what’s ahead for the series, well, Sharon says for now she’s sworn to secrecy—so you’ll just have to wonder s’more.

Seasons Treatings

Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Sharon Visker about her Season’s Treatings, both 15th in the series (available now) and Special Edition (available Dec 1) ornaments!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, November 01, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3523521124554553/