Announcement: Memories for the making

Memories for the making
This Christmas, you’re invited to our historic Kansas City home for the first-ever Hallmark Christmas Experience.

Christmas is our favorite time of year and we know it’s yours, too. So we can’t wait to get together and make some memories at the ultimate ho-ho-holiday celebration: Hallmark Christmas Experience, every weekend November 29–December 23.

This year’s inaugural event is an extension of the rich history of Christmas at Kansas City’s Crown Center, the home to Hallmark’s headquarters. Did you know the Crown Center shopping center was first envisioned in the early 1960s by Hallmark’s founder, J.C. Hall, and his son, Donald J. Hall? And for more than 50 years, Crown Center Square has been home to the Mayor’s Christmas Tree—a real, towering tree that stands proudly in the square and marks the start of the holiday season for our city. (Last year’s tree was 100 feet tall!)

“With the mayor’s tree and all the decorations, Crown Center is the perfect setting to come together,” says Keepsake Artist Jake Angell. “I also get to set up as a crafter and can’t wait to share my personal artwork, too!”

That’s right—our very own Keepsake artists will be among the vendors at the event. We’ve hosted Hallmarket for years as an insiders-only craft fair where Hallmark artists sell their homegrown handiwork, but this year we’re bringing it to the public as a special Holiday Hallmarket. That’s where you’ll find the event-exclusive ornament, too.

Along with the market, visitors will enjoy a food hall, ice skating, a Holiday Light Walk and more. The club-exclusive events, December 5–7, feature artist signings and artist chats. But if you can’t make the exclusive weekend, the other activities will be available every weekend, all season long. And anyone can visit the square for free—no ticket required. The more, the merrier!

“Everyone in the entire building is so excited to share what has been in the works,” says Artist Emma Leturgez-Smith. “I can’t wait to see the concept art of the outdoor market and our huge tree come to life and transform our home into a beautiful Christmas market!”

Hallmark Christmas Experience ornament
Limited Edition

Don’t miss this event-exclusive ornament! I sculpted this sweet little Santa in wax before adding a pom-pom to his hat and a bow made out of ribbon to his gift. I just love adding extra details that help bring the ornament to life.

—Tammy Haddix