Tree of Treasures: A Life in Ornaments

by Bonnie Mackay

A beautifully illustrated look at Christmas ornaments and the memories they hold on our trees

First highlighted in the New York Times , Bonnie Mackay’s annual Christmas tree showcases a lifetime collecting almost 3,000 ornaments.

Now, through beautiful photography and illuminating vignettes, Tree of Treasures shares the heartfelt stories behind a hundred of those cherished possessions, whether it’s the story of a family member, like Mackay’s grandfather, a well-known vaudeville performer; long-held relationships with friends and colleagues in the international community of Christmas crafts makers; a memory of a beloved pet; and much more.

From serene lace angels and vintage Santas, to exquisite glass-blown spheres and small silk purses, Tree of Treasures showcases ornaments both beautiful and well-loved, illuminating how ornaments, as we unpack and hang them each holiday season, tell the story of our lives.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Holiday, Memoir

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 2016

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry - I really meant to post this before Christmas, but, honestly, I was too busy enjoying the season to write a lengthy review.

I have to confess, my five-star rating is not so much for the book itself as the feelings it engendered. Mackay's book is mostly a photo album of some of her collection of three thousand ornaments, along with explanations of where, and whom, the ornaments came from, and any special meanings attached to them.

And, while I always enjoy looking at others' decorations, it's been a while since I really paid attention to the "treasures" that I hang on the boughs every year, in particular, those precious handmade ornaments, crafted by every member of the family, and created with love, felt, fabric, Popsicle sticks, and glue. Then there are the favorite among the purchased ornaments: Cthulhu wearing a Santa hat, a glow-in-the-dark jellyfish, the chic pink & white poodle clutching a pile of presents, reindeer playing sousaphones, and the paperboard Dionne Quintuplets that I got at the Smithsonian gift shop. (My youngest son takes great joy in hiding one of them somewhere on the tree for me to find. This year I found her a few branches down from her sisters, hanging out with the Powerpuff Girls.)

Inspired by Mackay's book, I ventured deep into the basement, and dug through the box labeled "UNPOPULAR ORNAMENTS"(What? Am I the only one who has one of these?), and even found a few old gems that were formerly considered beyond tacky, or just plain awful. For the first time in decades, a few traveled upstairs to join the more favored ornaments on the tree.

Hey, why not? After all, it's Christmas.

The author encourages her audience to think of friends and family while decorating the tree. Since it's a little late now to join in that sentiment, I'll suggest that thinking of loved ones while taking the tree down may make it seem less of a chore.


The author's tree.

Read more about her collection here:
https://www.npr.org/2016/12/02/504092...

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful read!

[John Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of us who have celebrated
Christmas all our lives
these pictures and stories of
odd but cherished christmas tree ornaments
sound as though they came from our
own family
because all our trees are filled
with these wonderful family treasures

[booksandcarbs]

I enjoyed seeing some of Bonnie Mackay's favorite ornaments and reading about their stories. This book has inspired me to write about some of my favorite ornaments on my blog. I'd like to get my kids to do this as well.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book...makes me wonder if I shouldn't work on one of my own...

[Elizabeth, Jasmine & Rebeca Pizarro · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy Christmas, Christmas trees and ornaments, you have read this book. It is full of memories for a span of forty-something years. It is full of heart and love. The book reminds me why I cherish my family and friends not only at Christmas time but all year round. Her collection inspires me to become a ornament collector as well. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Merry Christmas! Happy holidays and a happy new year!

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

After all the hype about the pictures in this book, ultimately I was disappointed with them. I expected more of a coffee table book. Her stories about how she got them were occasionally interesting. I also expected her ornaments to be very unusual, but mostly they were not. I could find similar ornaments on my own tree.

[Lorene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cherish my Christmas ornament collection, and I can recall many stories about when and how they came into my possession - all happy memories. But Ms. Mackay has done an exceptional job of describing her treasures in great detail for everyone to enjoy. She had also inspired me to create some ornaments for a few friends. It remains to be seen if I can pull off these new ideas!

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book cos I love hearing stories about the significance of peoples choice of Christmas ornament and the story behind why they chose what they did. As part of my journaling, I've decided that I am going to create a journal of my 'Tree of treasures: My life in Ornaments.

[Karen]

I picked this up off the sale table in the gift shop at The Henry Ford. It's a book I wish I'd written, with stories about some of the ornaments on the author's Christmas tree. I have written in my journal about a few ornaments, but so many I don't even recall their origin stories.

[Theresa F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? Not sure.
Would I recommend it? Probably.

[Nefertari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little book and celebration of ornamentation, though I would love to see some of Mackay's finished tress and Trim-A-Tree displays.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and nostalgic memory book. A mixture of “why didn’t I think of this first?” and general warm fuzzies.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely need to document and write down the meanings behind some of my ornaments, too!

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love my Christmas tree and Christmas ornaments so this book is just perfect for me. This is a very sweet, sentimental book and lovely to read at Christmas.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't got as many ornaments as Bonnie, but I'll never look at my tree decs in the same way again, reading this!
I'm sure mine will bring back memories, as will others who read this lovely book also!
Christmas is coming - read it!!
I was given a digital copy of this wonderful book by the publisher Penguin via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Terzah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Christmas hold that came in a little late. Light reading, with nice photographs of the ornaments she describes from her large collection. Might have been better in the hands of a real writer, but fun nonetheless.

[DENISE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous ornaments and compilation. I enjoyed this.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there were pictures of her trees, not just the ornaments by themselves. Why doesn't it have page numbers!

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the most perfect celebration of Christmas and the art it inspires I have ever in my life read. Meaningful, poignant, and funny. I'd love to meet Bonnie Mackay someday.

[Ayny · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable collection and interesting history.