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The end of each year brings an end to some of our most beloved products from Department 56, which are retired from production. This includes Village Houses and Accessories, Snowbabies Figurines, and Possible Dreams Santas. Once Department 56 decides to retire something, the mold is broken. This limits the number of products available and allows Department 56 artists to innovate and create new designs.Luckily, Kris Kringl still has some of the pieces available that retire …

In 1984, when Judi Vaillancourt received a gift of three antique chocolate moulds from her husband, Gary, neither of them would know what was to become of it. But today, families around the globe celebrate the tradition of Vaillancourt ornaments.From the kitchen of their Massachusetts home, Judi — a classically trained artist with a passion for antiques and Christmas — adapted the Victorian art form of chalkware into her own process by pouring liquid chalk into vintage confectionary mo …

Each December, Pantone announces its Color of the Year, or a shade they think will define the coming 365 days. But in true 2020 fashion, the color experts at Pantone decided to throw everyone for a loop with their selection: Rather than choose one single hue to define 2021, Pantone announced two picks for the coming year. "Illuminating," a bright, punchy yellow, and "Ultimate Gray," a classic, saturated gray, were chosen as the final selection. As for the company's reason for a color combination …

Kris Kringl customers filled a sleigh with 79 ornaments for seniors this past December. The ornaments and hand-written notes were part of an Ornament Drive to help fight loneliness this season as social distancing and isolation continue. Some of the notes included messages such as:     -"A little more sparkle, a little less stress this Christmas. I wish you the very best!"     -"May the spirit of Christmas bring you hope, love & happiness. Merry Christmas!"  …

Special hours for the upcoming holidays including New Year's Weekend are here. We're feeling pretty delighted to have 2021 right around the corner!Thursday, 12/24: 10am-4pm Friday, 12/25: Closed Saturday, 12/26: 10am-8pm Sunday, 12/27: 10am-7pm Thursday, 12/31: 10am-7pm Friday, 1/1: 10am-7pm Saturday, 1/2: 10am-8pm Sunday, 1/3: 10am-6pm Cheers to you and yours! …