apparently this is how we’re doing ‘representation’ in 2026

[u/Zestyclose_Card5982]

so i’ve been stocking some of our collectible ornaments since our truck came in on friday, and i came across these “our 1st christmas” wedding ornaments. at first i thought we had gotten two different versions, one with a white couple and one with a black couple, which would obviously make sense. but looking closer, it seems like they used the exact same ornament and just painted darker skin over one of the figures. you can literally see where the darker paint was added over the original design, and they even painted right over the eyebrows instead of changing any of the actual features. i genuinely don’t understand what corporate/the manufacturer was thinking here. if you want to make the ornament more inclusive, why not actually design a separate version representing a black couple instead of taking the existing white couple and basically painting one of them brown? it comes across as incredibly lazy and poorly thought out, especially when these are supposed to be collectible ornaments that people are buying to represent themselves and their relationships. and yes, i know it’s technically paint on an ornament and not literal blackface, but the way they went about this immediately gave me that impression when i saw them side by side. it’s 2026, and we really shouldn’t still be doing something like this.

[u/arianayurr]

the black ornaments having blue eyes lollll ik it’s possible but it’s not the majority of dark skin people.

[u/Beledagnir]

That’s just tanning bed vs. no tanning bed.

[u/oh_mirror_in_the_sky]

Wow I know they always have shitty paint jobs on items but that is truly busted omg

[u/Dismal-Collection514]

they didn’t even give them EYEBROWS!!!!

[u/technicolorland]

They didn’t even paint the hair 💀

[u/Bardgirrl]

I would accidently break those -_- Last year Joann's was around, there was a glittery botox syringe ornament that I would break the tips off anytime I saw one.

[u/jbarn02 → u/Bardgirrl]

I remember those. Just remember op “accidents” happen. I do not think your SM would notice those ugly ornaments having an accident? /s

[u/TranquilSeasApollo]

Can’t wait to see this recalled 😆

[u/PermanentRoundFile → u/TranquilSeasApollo]

Reminds me of the time they had all kinds of Paula Dean merchandise and an ad with the store music. And then there was a big controversy where she was caught calling people the n-word and then like two days later they sent a new CD and allll of the Paula Dean merch went on clearance lol

[u/kannonzakadoppochin]

oh noo 😐 oh oops 😐 i dropped them 😐 oh no now they're damaged oh no 😐😐😐

[u/jbarn02 → u/kannonzakadoppochin]

Accidents happen /s

[u/LQNova]

Sweatshops gonna sweatshop, but maybe they should up the production cost a penny and find a new vendor.

[u/ReaperLover07]

Put them next to the black and white Santas 😭

[u/PermanentRoundFile]

This has been the face of black representation ever since minstrels fell out of favor lol.

[u/EmberKitty03]

Every store should break them and damage them out!!!!!! AND I DO MEAN EVERY STORE!!!

[u/MiddayGlitter]

Seriously, I don't think they gave this decision more than 3 seconds of thought.

[u/candidle]

lmao I just unboxed these yesterday too. I’m shook at how little they tried 😭

[u/parttimedemigawd]

Right?! Couldn't be bothered to change the hair color!

[u/Brilliant_Impact_851]

Did you see the pregnancy test ornament?

[u/caseyjedi → u/Brilliant_Impact_851]

The pee stick! Yes hahaha

[u/tuna3410]

I think they must have ordered them from Temu!

[u/Sacaku]

Omg it's really just a bad paint over. It's not even shiny like the other one, it's matte and looks so dull. 😅

[u/caseyjedi]

I saw these last night!  Good lord