In 1974, the year following the premiere of Hallmark Keepsake ornaments, Hallmark introduced another popular collectible, Merry Miniatures. Through the years Merry Miniatures have gone through many changes, some of which have not been very popular with collectors.

The Merry Miniature line has always included seasonal items, beginning in 1974 with Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween and Easter figures. Pieces for St Patrick's Day were added in 1976, Valentine's Day pieces were added in 1979, and Patriotic pieces were added in 1993. There were also pieces created for Graduation periodically since 1986.

Merry Miniatures have not always been just figurals. 1981 and 1982 saw the production of five baskets, which were filled with flowers and an animal. There were a total of five pieces produced and these were marketed under the name of Table Trimmers. More popular were the Merry Miniature Containers. The first container appeared in 1981, a Cupid standing behind a red heart. The last year that containers were produced was 1989.

Not only are the Merry Miniature pieces collectible, but so are the display pieces and backgrounds. Both of these items were produced to embellish your decorating with Merry Miniatures.

Periodically, Hallmark produced what this guide refers to as sets. These were a group of figurals produced to go together somewhat like a series, but instead of having a piece each year, all pieces were released at one time. Sets have included: Purrrsonality Cats, Hugga Bunch and Cosmopolitan Cats.

One of the changes that upset collectors most was the introduction of boxed sets. From 1974 - 1995 Merry Miniatures were sold as individual pieces, in their debut year pieces ranged in price from 50 cents to $1.59 - even in the last year of individual pieces prices were still in a low range of $3.00 - $7.00. With the introduction of boxed sets prices doubled with a range of $7.95 for a set of two pieces up to $19.95 for a set of five. Collectors were not happy.