Gift
Bearers
Seven Hallmark ornaments — the complete Gift Bearers series, 1999 through 2005. Each one a jointed porcelain teddy bear dressed in its Sunday best — vest, hat or bow — carrying a different Christmas gift. "A different symbol of Christmas each year." The series starts with an ornament-bearing bear in a Christmas tree hat and ends with the 7th and final entry in 2005. A different bear, a different gift, seven consecutive years of holiday giving. All seven here.
"Why does this darlin' teddy bear bring mistletoe this year? 'Cause it's so nice to have around when loved ones wander near!"
— Verse on the 2000 Gift Bearers #2 · Mistletoe Bear · QX6651 · 2nd in series"A Different Symbol of Christmas Each Year" — The Complete Gift Bearers Story
The Gift Bearers series launched in 1999 with a simple, heartwarming premise: a jointed porcelain teddy bear, dressed in its Sunday best, carrying a different Christmas gift each year. The founding 1999 entry (QX6437, #1) sets the template immediately — a bear in a Christmas tree hat, green vest, and red bow tie, holding a Christmas ornament. "The jointed porcelain bears in this new series will bring you a different symbol of Christmas each year." The joints are functional: the bears' limbs move, giving them a poseable quality that makes them simultaneously ornaments, figurines, and toys. At approximately 3.5 inches tall, each entry is a substantial ornament — large enough to read clearly from across a room, detailed enough to reward close inspection.
The 2000 Mistletoe Bear (#2, QX6651) is the series' most charming single entry — a bear carrying mistletoe, with the verse printed on its box: "Why does this darlin' teddy bear bring mistletoe this year? 'Cause it's so nice to have around when loved ones wander near!" The series continued through 2001 (#3), 2002 (#4), 2003 (#5), 2004 (#6), and concluded with the 7th and final entry in 2005 (QX2222). Seven consecutive years. Seven bears. Seven Christmas gifts. The complete series is here at Already Christmas.
Tips for the Complete Collection
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01Display in numbered sequence — seven bears, seven years, one decade of gift-giving. The Gift Bearers series works best as a consecutive display from #1 (1999) through #7 (2005). In sequence the changing gifts and attire tell the story of a seven-year collecting tradition. Position them left to right in number order on a dedicated branch cluster or shelf — the bears' consistent format (vest, hat or bow, carrying a gift) creates a pleasing visual rhythm across all seven entries.
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02These are jointed porcelain bears — the limbs move, which makes them also work as standing figurines. The joints on each Gift Bearers ornament are functional. The arms and legs can be repositioned, making each bear an interactive ornament and a poseable figurine. They can stand as well as hang. A shelf or mantel display of all seven bears in a row, arms slightly repositioned for variety, shows the jointed quality that distinguishes this series from standard resin ornaments.
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03All 7 Gift Bearers Hallmark ornaments — the complete 1999–2005 series — are at Already Christmas. The Christmas tree hat bear, the mistletoe bear, and five more gift-bearing companions through 2005. Seven bears. Seven gifts. The spirit of giving. All seven here.
Every Gift Bearers Hallmark Keepsake
Seven bears. Seven years. Seven Christmas gifts. Click any to shop.
In 1999, Hallmark introduced a jointed porcelain bear in a Christmas tree hat and a green vest and a red bow tie, holding a Christmas ornament — the first in a new series that would bring a different symbol of Christmas each year. The Mistletoe Bear came in 2000, with mistletoe nice to have around when loved ones wander near. Five more gift-bearing bears followed, one per year, through 2005. Seven bears. Seven vests. Seven gifts. The spirit of giving, dressed in its Sunday best, moveable joints and all. All seven here.
✦ Part of our Collection: Hallmark Bear & Animal Collector Series, Explored ✦