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The Ornament Box: A Love Story
On Christmas Eve, Michael reluctantly returns to his childhood home to help his mother set up the tree. Normally, this is something Michael's father would do — but not this Christmas; he's upstairs recovering from surgery. Though Michael longs for a relationship with his father, he and his dad are not close. So much of his father's life is a mystery. As Michael and his mom unwrap the ornaments, author Phillip Done, through his signature warmeth and charm, unwraps the family's relationships and struggles, and Michael discovers the deep, secret sorrow of the man upstairs. A testament to home and hope, this treasure of a story, with its timeless message, will touch readers' hearts and endure as a reminder of the preciousness of family and the redemptive power of love.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2016
99 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
About the author
Phillip Done
8 books66 followersPhillip Done is the author of the soon to be released The Art of Teaching Children: All I Learned from a Lifetime in the Classroom by Simon & Schuster/Avid Reader Press. He is also the author of the acclaimed 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons from Teaching, Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood, The Charms of Miss O'Hara: Tales from Gone with the Wind & the Golden Age of Hollywood from Scarlett's Little Sister, and The Ornament Box: A Love Story with a foreword by screen legend Debbie Reynolds. Phil's writing has also been featured in Reader's Digest, Real Simple, The Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times.
Phil is the recipient of the prestigious Charles Schwab Distinguished Teacher Award, a Teacher of the Year in California, and a nominee for Disney's American Teacher of the Year. He has taught in public and private schools in the United States and internationally. To contact Phil, send him a message here on Goodreads or at Phillip Done on Facebook.
Phil is the recipient of the prestigious Charles Schwab Distinguished Teacher Award, a Teacher of the Year in California, and a nominee for Disney's American Teacher of the Year. He has taught in public and private schools in the United States and internationally. To contact Phil, send him a message here on Goodreads or at Phillip Done on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 6, 2019
Life's Loves
Wonderfully written, eloquent, evocative . The story of lives told through a box of family ornaments. No further review necessary.
Wonderfully written, eloquent, evocative . The story of lives told through a box of family ornaments. No further review necessary.
December 8, 2020
This book could have been written of my own family history.
I am the Kathleen of my father's past. My story made this book a comforting and thoughtful look at a perspective from the author's points of view. I will add this to the list of my favorite Christmas stories. Each tree ornament I have collected through the years feature ordinary objects made uncommon with a sprinkle of glitter or a spritz of gold metallic spray. A pacifier my mother saved of a visit from her infant grandson's 1st trip to Mississippi now adorns his Christmas tree. He is close to 40 years old. This is a wonderful story to read during the holidays.
I am the Kathleen of my father's past. My story made this book a comforting and thoughtful look at a perspective from the author's points of view. I will add this to the list of my favorite Christmas stories. Each tree ornament I have collected through the years feature ordinary objects made uncommon with a sprinkle of glitter or a spritz of gold metallic spray. A pacifier my mother saved of a visit from her infant grandson's 1st trip to Mississippi now adorns his Christmas tree. He is close to 40 years old. This is a wonderful story to read during the holidays.
November 28, 2018
The Ornament Box: A Love Story by Phillip Done
What a great read about a family as they are decorating while the father is dying.
Story goes back in time to when the father had met his wife and they dated, got married, the hard time and struggling as time goes on while they raise a family.
On his death we find out about other secrets and all the ornament stories.
What a treasure of a story.
What a great read about a family as they are decorating while the father is dying.
Story goes back in time to when the father had met his wife and they dated, got married, the hard time and struggling as time goes on while they raise a family.
On his death we find out about other secrets and all the ornament stories.
What a treasure of a story.
December 14, 2020
Delightful and poignant. I really enjoy Phillip’s writing. His books make me smile, laugh, remember, wish and even cry. The characters come alive and like any good storytelling you are able to identify with and feel what the individual storyline suggests or describes. This is an enjoyable Christmas/ holiday read.
December 29, 2016
"I think that when a child is sad or lonely or frightened, his guardian angel plays on her instrument, and the notes float away. Then the breeze catches them, and the music dances through the stars and makes them twinkle."
This was such a wonderful holiday read! I picked it up and finished on Christmas day, and I really really enjoyed it.
The Ornament Box tells a story of Michael who visits his mother on Christmas Even in orer to help her put up all Christmas decorations. And as they decorate a Christmas tree, they reminisce the stories connected to each ornament from the ornament box.
When I got this book for free on Amazon, I didn't know what to expect apart from a holiday themed read, but I was positively surprised. The main story, as well as the flashbacks to the little stories of each ornament were beautifully written, heart-warming and full of holiday spirit. I loved it that slowly, we got to know the whole family story, even of those characters not present in the main plot line. It has a few touching and sad moments, but it carries an important message, that family and our loved ones are the most important thing. Overall, it left me with a very warm feeling and I would definitely re-read it in the upcoming years.
This was such a wonderful holiday read! I picked it up and finished on Christmas day, and I really really enjoyed it.
The Ornament Box tells a story of Michael who visits his mother on Christmas Even in orer to help her put up all Christmas decorations. And as they decorate a Christmas tree, they reminisce the stories connected to each ornament from the ornament box.
When I got this book for free on Amazon, I didn't know what to expect apart from a holiday themed read, but I was positively surprised. The main story, as well as the flashbacks to the little stories of each ornament were beautifully written, heart-warming and full of holiday spirit. I loved it that slowly, we got to know the whole family story, even of those characters not present in the main plot line. It has a few touching and sad moments, but it carries an important message, that family and our loved ones are the most important thing. Overall, it left me with a very warm feeling and I would definitely re-read it in the upcoming years.
October 11, 2016
What a great holiday read! Memories are so important to who we are and how we interact with those we love, and Phil has captured that sentiment very well in "The Ornament Box". I really enjoyed how he highlighted specific ornaments with the stories attached to them. It made me think of specific ornaments in my box that have special stories.
The story was interesting and well-developed, with lots of heart and surprising twists in plot. The characters were engaging and really drew me in, causing me to sympathize and resonate with their experiences and emotions. "The Ornament Box" is perfect to read this time of year, to help you remember what matters most about the holiday season: the people we love.
"The Ornament Box" is also a fairly quick read, so you can enjoy it in an afternoon, curled up with a few cups of hot tea. :-)
The story was interesting and well-developed, with lots of heart and surprising twists in plot. The characters were engaging and really drew me in, causing me to sympathize and resonate with their experiences and emotions. "The Ornament Box" is perfect to read this time of year, to help you remember what matters most about the holiday season: the people we love.
"The Ornament Box" is also a fairly quick read, so you can enjoy it in an afternoon, curled up with a few cups of hot tea. :-)
October 5, 2016
The Ornament Box unpacks family history in a heart warming way. Told from the point of view of various family members the chapters discuss the lovely stories behind treasured ornaments. As someone whose own family has favorite Christmas ornaments with connected stories, this book hit home. A great read to get me in the holiday spirit. Christmas is not about all things shiny, new, and expensive. But Christmas is rather about the love and commonalities we share.
December 22, 2017
Tugs on the heartstrings. Great family story of love and loss.
December 3, 2016
Very touching
A good read at holiday time about family, big and small gestures, and remembering what's precious. I wanted more stories.
A good read at holiday time about family, big and small gestures, and remembering what's precious. I wanted more stories.
April 26, 2018
THIS IS A WONDERFUL STORY.
It is a gentle and tender story about familial love from generation to generation.
Cyril and Mathilda marry and have a son. Then WWII intrudes and Cyril is lost. Their son, Tom, grows up to have a family of his own.
The reader becomes a participant in the celebration of Christmas which is a very important event to this family.
We share the tradition of decorating with familiar items. Each item holds a story all its own.
It is difficult to describe this book. It holds love that overcomes everything, including time.
I read this book in the spring, not at Christmas. But, to be honest, I believe that reading it at any time is perfect. Everyone needs to be reminded of life and joy and sorrow and love.
It is a gentle and tender story about familial love from generation to generation.
Cyril and Mathilda marry and have a son. Then WWII intrudes and Cyril is lost. Their son, Tom, grows up to have a family of his own.
The reader becomes a participant in the celebration of Christmas which is a very important event to this family.
We share the tradition of decorating with familiar items. Each item holds a story all its own.
It is difficult to describe this book. It holds love that overcomes everything, including time.
I read this book in the spring, not at Christmas. But, to be honest, I believe that reading it at any time is perfect. Everyone needs to be reminded of life and joy and sorrow and love.
November 8, 2016
Purely delightful and downright cozy
Well, as the air is getting cooler and only a few more weeks until Christmas, the timing of this book is impeccable. Wonderful characters we can all relate to. Love the title, The Ornament Box. As I turned the pages I was transported to my own childhood memories of my Mother's ornament boxes. These are some of my most valued family heirlooms I own to this day, and have grown bigger with the addition of my ow family. Most families have a few ornament boxes, I would suspect. At this juncture in life, my own children cannot wait to set up our family's tree and carry up the boxes of ornaments and peel off the lids. Each year as my boys unwrap the ornaments from the issue paper, the time honored family stories and sentiments behind each is retold as I learned them. With shining eyes, my children listen ... sometimes telling stories behind the ornaments they themselves have added to our collection. Our ornament boxes are not just filled with glitter, glass and crafts, but with our family's history, memories of the past, and some with a promise of what's still to come. Some remind us of happy occasions, others of loss, some of faith, some of travels, but mostly and simply, our collective family memories. Our holiday boxes are treasures that we cherish every season. In this wonderful and heartfelt book, Phillip Done opens another's family ornament box for us to discover their stories. Each ornament's story is told through various characters eyes. I guarantee you won't want to put it down until you've read them all! Snuggle up and enjoy every single drop!
Well, as the air is getting cooler and only a few more weeks until Christmas, the timing of this book is impeccable. Wonderful characters we can all relate to. Love the title, The Ornament Box. As I turned the pages I was transported to my own childhood memories of my Mother's ornament boxes. These are some of my most valued family heirlooms I own to this day, and have grown bigger with the addition of my ow family. Most families have a few ornament boxes, I would suspect. At this juncture in life, my own children cannot wait to set up our family's tree and carry up the boxes of ornaments and peel off the lids. Each year as my boys unwrap the ornaments from the issue paper, the time honored family stories and sentiments behind each is retold as I learned them. With shining eyes, my children listen ... sometimes telling stories behind the ornaments they themselves have added to our collection. Our ornament boxes are not just filled with glitter, glass and crafts, but with our family's history, memories of the past, and some with a promise of what's still to come. Some remind us of happy occasions, others of loss, some of faith, some of travels, but mostly and simply, our collective family memories. Our holiday boxes are treasures that we cherish every season. In this wonderful and heartfelt book, Phillip Done opens another's family ornament box for us to discover their stories. Each ornament's story is told through various characters eyes. I guarantee you won't want to put it down until you've read them all! Snuggle up and enjoy every single drop!
January 15, 2018
A very touching story that brings the present back into the past. The ornament box is full of memories. Each ornament has a special story and a special position on the tree. Upstairs,
while the son and daughter are decorating the tree, their father is battling, not just with cancer, but with his regrets of the past. The son discovers a new side to his father, one he is more than happy to find; a warm and loving father but one who has held a secret for all his life.
A beautiful book that will bring to mind good sentiments. A lovely Christmas tale with an unusual plot, but all the same a welcome change for holiday reading.
while the son and daughter are decorating the tree, their father is battling, not just with cancer, but with his regrets of the past. The son discovers a new side to his father, one he is more than happy to find; a warm and loving father but one who has held a secret for all his life.
A beautiful book that will bring to mind good sentiments. A lovely Christmas tale with an unusual plot, but all the same a welcome change for holiday reading.
January 13, 2020
A story that will stay in your heart!
The Ornament Box is a story of family. Of love. Of memories. Of healing. Done takes you through a family's history with vignettes drawn from both past and present, all centred on a family's treasured Christmas ornaments. He has created a moving story with some unexpected twists, revealing long held secrets with delicacy and understanding. Though it's a fairly quick read, it will stay with you long after you've read the last words. A must read!
The Ornament Box is a story of family. Of love. Of memories. Of healing. Done takes you through a family's history with vignettes drawn from both past and present, all centred on a family's treasured Christmas ornaments. He has created a moving story with some unexpected twists, revealing long held secrets with delicacy and understanding. Though it's a fairly quick read, it will stay with you long after you've read the last words. A must read!
February 21, 2017
A most touching story that brought tears to my eyes most of the book. I think it was especially touching as my own dad passed away from cancer. And if I hadn't known this was a work of fiction before going into this book, I would have sworn I was reading a biography. It "felt" so "real" - the situations and the characters. My only complaint was I wish there was more stories/it was longer.
Definitely would recommend to be read at least once.
Definitely would recommend to be read at least once.
September 20, 2017
A heartfelt page turner for everyone
You will want to read this in one sitting if time allows. So captivating and moving you will feel like someone is just telling you their story rather than you reading it. Everyone carries some sort of burden, and you will be moved by the one the character Tom carries for a lifetime. What an incredible talent this author is.
You will want to read this in one sitting if time allows. So captivating and moving you will feel like someone is just telling you their story rather than you reading it. Everyone carries some sort of burden, and you will be moved by the one the character Tom carries for a lifetime. What an incredible talent this author is.
November 6, 2018
Beautiful!!!
I will be recommending this book to everyone I know. It makes one want to cherish every moment of life with vigor and purpose and pass on that passion to the next generation, again and again. To say this book is inspirational would be an understatement; it is a tribute to how truly wonderful people can be.
I will be recommending this book to everyone I know. It makes one want to cherish every moment of life with vigor and purpose and pass on that passion to the next generation, again and again. To say this book is inspirational would be an understatement; it is a tribute to how truly wonderful people can be.
December 31, 2018
Beautiful Christmas Story
Everyone has the box of ornaments for their Christmas tree. This story reminded me of my own box. This year as I hung up my ornaments I reminisced about the stories behind each. What a beautiful, touching story everyone should read to remind us of the love for others and our family history.
Everyone has the box of ornaments for their Christmas tree. This story reminded me of my own box. This year as I hung up my ornaments I reminisced about the stories behind each. What a beautiful, touching story everyone should read to remind us of the love for others and our family history.
December 4, 2020
Ornaments.
For years. I made special ornaments for family and friends. I was given ornaments by family and friend. Each has a special meaning. I have a few my children made when young. I made ornaments until the RA in my hands was so bad I no longer could. I would start in February each year. I love ornaments and making them.
For years. I made special ornaments for family and friends. I was given ornaments by family and friend. Each has a special meaning. I have a few my children made when young. I made ornaments until the RA in my hands was so bad I no longer could. I would start in February each year. I love ornaments and making them.
December 9, 2017
Treasured - all should read
This was the most amazing story, full of love and lessons. I’ll be adding it to my annual Christmas reading list. It captures the true spirit of my ornament box. I loved it!
This was the most amazing story, full of love and lessons. I’ll be adding it to my annual Christmas reading list. It captures the true spirit of my ornament box. I loved it!
Read
December 5, 2019This is the perfect Christmas story tying together 5 generations of a family through the ornaments and treasures in an ornament box. Anything more would destroy the pleasure of discovery as you read this lovely book.
December 7, 2019
Christmas is coming and Michael returns to his parents' home to help set up the tree. Each item in the treasured ornament box tells a story, fills in a missing gap of history, sheds some light on the cause of his father's remoteness, and acts as a reminder of family love, continuity, and hope.
December 24, 2019
Love in a box
What a wonderful story to read during Christmas, or at anytime. What memories are attached to each ornament. The good times and the bad times, but they are our memories to hold onto.
What a wonderful story to read during Christmas, or at anytime. What memories are attached to each ornament. The good times and the bad times, but they are our memories to hold onto.
December 13, 2021
A wonderful Christmas story about a patriarch’s final Christmas, and how the family Christmas ornaments chronicle his their journey. I was slightly tossed out from time to time by shifting third-person narration, and my only other gripe was I wish it was 100 pages longer. I’d loved to have seen more events firsthand that were glossed over. Really solid stuff.
December 7, 2016
A wonderful Christmas Story
Simply said, I love this book! I think this is one I will read each Christmas!! A story of love,very heartwarming!!
Simply said, I love this book! I think this is one I will read each Christmas!! A story of love,very heartwarming!!
December 28, 2017
Very heartrending with moments I was tempted to reach for a tissue. This a a family's love story that reaches deep into the heart and will probably stay with me for a good long while.
December 24, 2017
check out my full review here:
http://bit.ly/2C3zIb5
http://bit.ly/2C3zIb5
November 11, 2018
Beautiful and poignant
This story and the dynamics of the characters were masterfully written.
It's a beautiful and poignant story that, no doubt, has to be someone's true story.
This story and the dynamics of the characters were masterfully written.
It's a beautiful and poignant story that, no doubt, has to be someone's true story.
December 8, 2018
Beautiful Story
This story was the right amount of everything. Sweet, funny, loving, some sadness. There is joy. Peace. You will be happy you read it.
This story was the right amount of everything. Sweet, funny, loving, some sadness. There is joy. Peace. You will be happy you read it.
December 26, 2018
Wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! It is a beautiful story!!!
December 29, 2018
A tear jerker
This book sure tugged on the heartstrings. I really enjoyed this book. If you like Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Luckily you will like this author
This book sure tugged on the heartstrings. I really enjoyed this book. If you like Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Luckily you will like this author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews