Last year I went about the task of listing as many of the character-based offerings I could think of, but since my arm was fit to fall off shortly thereafter, I think that instead, this year, I will simply mention a few goodies of my most immediate interest followed by an overview of some of the other listings. Then I will gladly go about the business of answering questions for others who are interested as those questions become posted. Sound good?

Okay. Here goes.

Well, since I'm the one doing the typing, I think its best to start with the obvious: Snoopy/Peanuts. There are essentially 5 ornaments being offered (besides the KOC Peanuts Christmas Pageant Exclusive), plus one waterglobe. Do bear in mind, however, that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Peanuts Christmas special, so hard telling if we'll see additional little tidbits come October or so. Oh, and most ornaments will likely debut in July unless I've indicated a specific release month.

#1. Winter Fun w/Snoopy--The 8th in a series of miniature ornaments, this year features Snoopy in a green stocking cap with a red scarf riding belly down on his sled, Woodstock clinging to his billowing scarf. Price: $6.95

#2. Santa Beagle & Friends--This ornament depicts Snoopy dressed as Santa, seated atop his doghouse driving a team of 4 Woodstock "reindeer". The house is decorated in Christmas lights, but I do not believe they light. Price: $14.95 Due out in October.

#3. Snoopy the Magnificent--8th in the "Spotlight on Snoopy Series, this is just too cute! Snoopy is depicted as a magician, pulling Woodstock, dressed in bunny ears, out of his hat. Price: $9.95

#4. Touchdown, Snoopy!--Against an autumn backdrop, Snoopy runs the ball downfield while Peppermint Patty dives to tackle, Lucy lands on her behind, and Charlie takes a chin dive. All characters are depicted wearing helments. Price $14.95

#5. Crack the Whip!--Featuring windup movement and battery-operated music, this ornament depicts Snoopy, Lucy, Schroeder, Sally, Linus (or possibly Rerun--pic is too small to be sure), and Woodstock skating on a reflective pond. Music is "Linus and Lucy". Price: $24.00 Due out in October.

#6. A Charlie Brown Christmas Snow Globe--Featuring battery-operated lights and music, this piece features the gang (including Marcie and Franklin, from the side shown in the catalog) singing in 3-D sculpt around the base. Inside the globe, Charlie Brown stands donned in his usual winter garb alongside Snoopy's decorated house. Snoopy and Woodstock sit atop the house and, of course, there is "snow" inside the globe. Plays "O Tannenbaum". Price: $30.00 Due out in October.

Of other immediate interest to moi, at least, were Rudolph & Bumble, the Abominable Snowmonster, priced @ $14.95 and due out in October. Bumbles appears to be flocked and Rudolph has antlers. There will also be a miniature of Rudolph himself (no antlers), priced @ $7.95. In addition, there is a Muppets clip-on ornament depicting Kermit singing, donned in a red & white scarf, sitting atop a books and sheet music, holding open a Christmas Carols book. This is priced at $12.95. Available in October will be a wonderful Disney offering of Mickey depicted as The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Featuring both motion and music, this light-string powered piece will play the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" theme, depiciting Mickey atop the landing with the enchanted brooms climbing the staircase carrying buckets of water. The description says that both Mickey's arms move and the brooms sway from side to side, and is priced @ $32.00.

Of course, there are numerous other Disney offerings, some of which appear quite attractive and even nostalgia. There are several Mickey/Minnie offerings, Goofy & Pluto, a plethora of Pooh, Tinkerbell (2), Cinderella, Lady & the Tramp, Bambi, Buzz Lightyear, Herbie the Lovebug (miniature), Simba (Lion King), Chicken Little, Royal Princesses miniatures, Finding Nemo (featuring Crush), etc.

There will also be plenty of Looney Tunes selections (6), a few new Polar Express (3), 3 Wizard of Oz, a Scooby Doo (Christmas Mystery Machine), Harry Potter Quidditch, 5 Star Wars and 3 Star Trek offerings (one being "Next Generation"), one Grinch, one Spiderman (dangling upside down), one Batman, one Power Rangers, one LOTR, one TMNT, one Shrek 2, one Madagascar (upcoming Dreamworks feature), one Curious George, one Thomas the Tank Engine, one Batman (riding batcycle), one GI Joe (diver), one Hot Wheels, one Tonka, several major league sports, and the usual overload of Barbie. The most notable omission this year (IMHO) was no new VeggieTales ornament. (I really just fell in love with 2004's Junior Asparagus Little Drummer Boy!)

Well. . .that's the long and the short of the initial low-down. Have questions? Want details? Bring it on!! ;o)

Star Wars

There appear to be five offerings in all.

#1. Anakin Skywalker's Jedi Starfighter--From "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith", this battery operated ornament features sound, but it doesn't say what those sounds are. It's a little difficult to tell, but there does appear to be some soiling wear-and-tear, or possibly "battle damage" to the vehicle. Price: $28.00

#2. Princess Leia--The 9th ornament in the series, this does indeed depict Leia in her infamous "metal bikini" with purple fabric billowing between her legs. She appears carrying a large, long object--possibly a weapon. (? Sorry guys, I love the movie, but I'm no information buff.) Price: $14.95

#3. Darth Vader--From "The Empire Strikes Back", this battery-operated offering features voice, with Vader on some sort of a pedestal, gesturing with his hand turned upward. Price: $18.95

#4. Clone Trooper Lieutenant--Another offering from "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith", the clone trooper is depicted in a running pose, carring a gun-like weapon. Price: $14.95

#5. TIE Advanced x1 & Millennium Falcon--This two piece set is from their miniatures offerings. Price: $14.95

Batman

Officially entitled The Batcycle, Batman--looking quite buff--is seated atop his indigo (could be more towards blue, but it looks indigo to me) batcycle (has wings in front and fin in the back), slightly hunched forward and looking dead-serious. His black cape is aloft straight-out behind him; very stiff looking. His bodysuit appears to be colored dark grey, and he is wearing a yellow utility-looking belt. Also, the catalog says the motorcycle wheels do turn. Price: $14.95

Star Trek

#1. USS Enterprise NCC-1701-A--This is a battery-operated offering which features lighted engines and bridge. Indeed, the craft is presented in pristine condition, and is described as being 6" wide. Price: $28.00 Due out in October.

#2. Khan--The character figure you'd expect. Serious pose, stern face, arms at side, attired in red suit. Price: $14.95 Due out in October.

#3. Locutus of Borg--From "Star Trek: First Contact", this piece will be light-string powered (meaning you have to hook it into a strand of Christmas tree lights), featuring both light and sound. There are two figures, attired in black, standing in what is described as a regeneration chamber. Chamber lights are designed to flash, and the sound will play four different dialogue exchanges between Locutus and the Borg Queen. Price: $28.00 Due out in October.

Grinch, Oz, Misc

Grinch: This ornament is entitled Tree-Napper at Work and depticts Santa Grinch making off with the Who's Christmas tree. The tree appears to have individual bristles adorned with several plastic ornaments, topped with a star. Price: $12.95

This year there are 3 regular offerings from Wizard of Oz, as well as one club exclusive.

#1. Off to See the Wizard!--This piece is a character line up depicting (from l to r) Scarecrow, Tin Man, Dorothy, and Cowardly Lion skipping down the yellow brick road. (A small section of the brick road is the base.) Toto does not appear, at least not from the front view shown. Price: $19.95 Due out in September.

#2. Over the Rainbow--This is a battery operated offering with both light and sound, depicting Dorothy having just emerged from her farmhouse, which has crash landed atop the witch, whose legs are visible. This piece plays "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and apparently the section of Yellow Brick Road glows. Although not depicted, the catalog states that the reverse side of the ornament shows an interior of the farmhouse in black and white. Price: $28.00 Due out in September.

#3. Dorothy--From Hallmark's miniatures collection, this character figure is described as being 1 1/2" high, depicting Dorothy in her traditional attire, ruby red slippers and holding her basket. The picture is very small, however, it almost appears something is inside the basket. Could be Toto? Hard to say. Price: $6.95 Due out in September

Keepsake Collector's Club Exclusive: Ruby Slippers--One of four selections a club member may choose from this year upon registration, this appears to be a lovely piece; one I've ordered for myself. The shoes are depicted with a sparkle finish, and the press of a button causes the bows to sparkle/twinkle. (Battery operated.) Price: May be elected upon registration or purchased for an additional $19.95 for members chosing more than one exclusive.

As for Wile E. Coyote, I'm afraid I do not see him making an appearance this year. Nor does one of my personal favorites, his nemesis, the Road Runner.