Christmas Penguin

Christmas Penguin Ornament

o you have a penguin? This is one of the questions I heard most often from my customers at art shows. So, I decided to create the Christmas Penguin ornament for penguin collectors and animal lovers. Certainly, it would be a great addition to my Santa Claus Ornaments collection.

Christmas Penguin Ornament Design Process

An Unknown Legend

Although penguins live in Antarctica, I once heard a legend about migrating penguins. Admittedly, I hardly recall where I heard it or who told it to me. The legend says that penguins migrate from the South Pole to the North Pole. This phenomenon only occurs for a few days around the eve of Christmas. I have always wondered whether there were other Santa’s Helpers besides the famous Christmas Elves. Certainly, there must be a need for extra help during the holiday season especially around Christmas Eve.

Those lucky enough to have experienced Christmas through children’s eyes are very aware of certain Christmas rituals. To start, there is the baking of Christmas cookies. And the making and decorating of Gingerbread Houses. Then, you have the important writing of a letter to Santa. And let us not forget the opening of the Advent Calendar’s windows, everyday till Christmas. Next, one of my favorites, the making of handmade presents. Also, the setting up of the Nativity scene. And the list goes on and on, based on your own unique traditions. So, I can only imagine how much longer Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus’ to-do list must be. Undoubtedly, they would need plenty of help.

Therefore, the Christmas Penguin is the extra help that arrives at the North Pole unnoticed. Just at the right time. And disappears the same way after the job is done. Therefore, it was impossible not to include the Christmas Penguin ornament as part of the Santa Claus Ornaments collection.

The Design of the Christmas Penguin

I designed the penguin ornament wearing a beanie hat made from old t-shirts’ fabric. Just like the North Pole Snowman, and Santa Claus Reindeer, I dressed him in a colorful vest. Then, I added a tuxedo shirt and bowtie. I embroidered his eyes with sequins and glass beads. And made his beak from stiffened felt.

To add more charm to the ornament, I made a baby penguin that sits between the penguin’s legs. Thus, I imagine the Christmas Penguin and its Baby Penguin wobbling around Santa’s warehouse. They are helping to pack the sleigh, checking the reindeers’ jingle bells one last time and making sure there is enough glitter in Santa’s pockets so that Santa’s chief Elf can dust the whole world as Santa’s sleigh embarks in its annual journey delivering smiles to all children around the world.

Specifications

Year Designed

2015

Size

Actual sizes may vary slightly, approximately 2.0” x 2.0” x 4.0”

Materials

Cardboard, fabric, trims, felt, ribbons, beads, pompoms.

Note: Given the handmade nature of the ornament, all ornaments are different. The pictures depict just one sample of the ornament.