Santa and
Sparky
“Santa and his friend Sparky doing a magical event.” Three Hallmark Magic ornaments — the complete Santa and Sparky series, 1986 through 1988. Santa and his little penguin pal Sparky, lit from within, with motion. Lighting the Tree in 1986 — Santa moves forward and lights the tree. A Perfect Portrait in 1987. And in 1988, On With the Show — Santa steps forward, Sparky pops up, star wand at the ready, the series finale. Three magical events. All three here.
QLX Magic Format — Light AND Motion · Plugs Into Your Light Strand
The Santa and Sparky series uses the QLX Magic format — each ornament plugs into a standard miniature Christmas tree light strand for power. Unlike later QLX ornaments that use batteries, these early 1986–1988 entries require the light strand connection to operate both the light and the motion features. The 1986 entry moves Santa forward as the tree lights up. The 1988 finale pops Sparky up as Santa steps forward. Position all three near accessible light strand sockets and plan placement before hanging other ornaments. These are among Hallmark’s earliest light-and-motion ornaments.
Santa and His Penguin Pal — Three Years of Light and Motion Magic
The Santa and Sparky series launched in 1986 as part of Hallmark’s early Magic ornament line — the QLX series that introduced light and motion to the Keepsake Ornament catalog. Donna Lee sculpted all three entries. The characters are Santa Claus and Sparky, described on product listings as “Santa and Penguin Sparky” — a small penguin companion who joins Santa in three different magical scenes across three years. The 1986 opener (QLX7033, “Lighting the Tree”) is the most classically Christmas of the three: Santa moves forward and lights the tree, a light-and-motion scene of the quintessential Christmas Eve moment.
The 1987 “Perfect Portrait” (#2, QLX7019) depicts Santa and Sparky posing for their holiday portrait together — a charming character moment that deepens the friendship between the two. And in 1988, the series closes with “On With the Show” (#3 Final, QLX7191): Santa and Sparky putting on a magic show, a star wand in the scene, and when powered the motion feature pops Sparky up as Santa steps forward. The most theatrical of the three entries — a magic show as a series finale. “Santa and Penguin Sparky are putting on a magic show just for you!”
“This is a magic series with each ornament having Santa and his friend Sparky doing a magical event. Each ornament requires to be attached to a miniature light strand to operate.”
— The Ornament Shop series description · Santa and Sparky · 1986–1988 · QLX Magic · Artist: Donna Lee · #1 Lighting the Tree, #2 Perfect Portrait, #3 On With the Show
Format: QLX Magic · Light + Motion
Santa moves forward and lights the tree. Classic Christmas Eve scene.
Format: QLX Magic · Light + Motion
Santa and Sparky posing for their holiday portrait together.
Tips for the Collection
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01QLX Magic ornaments require a miniature light strand connection — plan placement first. All three Santa and Sparky ornaments plug into a standard miniature Christmas tree light strand for power. They are among Hallmark’s earliest light-and-motion ornaments (1986–1988) and operate differently from later battery-powered Magic ornaments — they need to be positioned near accessible light strand sockets. Decide their placement before hanging surrounding ornaments so you can route each plug to the nearest socket.
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02Display all three in numbered sequence — the three scenes tell a three-year story of Santa and Sparky’s friendship. In order: Lighting the Tree (#1, 1986) establishes the duo in the most classic Christmas scene; Perfect Portrait (#2, 1987) captures their friendship in a still moment; On With the Show (#3, 1988) sends them off in the most theatrical finale possible — a magic show. The progression from domestic Christmas moment to theatrical farewell is the series’ emotional arc.
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03All 3 Santa and Sparky Hallmark ornaments — the complete 1986–1988 series — are at Already Christmas. Lighting the Tree, Perfect Portrait, On With the Show. Three QLX Magic events. Santa and his penguin pal Sparky. Three years. All three here.
Every Santa and Sparky Hallmark Keepsake
Lighting the Tree · Perfect Portrait · On With the Show. Click to shop.
Donna Lee put Santa and his penguin pal Sparky on the Christmas tree in 1986 — QLX Magic, light and motion, Santa moving forward and lighting the tree. The perfect portrait in 1987. And in 1988, the show: “Santa and Penguin Sparky are putting on a magic show just for you! As Santa steps forward Sparky pops up!” Three magical events. Three years. The series complete. All three here.
✦ Part of our Collection: Hallmark Magic Light & Motion Series, Explored ✦