The Christmas Basket

by Debbie Macomber

No one tells a Christmas story like Debbie Macomber. The Christmas Basket is filled with gifts for the reader -- gifts of warmth and laughter . . . and emotional truth. This Christmas, let Debbie make you smile!

That summer -- more than ten years ago, while they were still in high school -- Noelle McDowell and Thomas Sutton fell secretly in love. Secretly because their mothers had been locked in a bitter feud for decades. But despite the animosity between Sarah McDowell and Mary Sutton, Noelle planned to elope with Thom. Until he jilted her.

This Christmas Noelle McDowell is home to celebrate the holidays with her family. (After all, December 25 is also her birthday.) Unfortunately, Noelle's feelings about home -- or rather, her hometown of Rose, Oregon -- were changed forever the day Thomas Sutton broke her heart.

This Christmas the feuding mothers find themselves working together to fill Christmas baskets for charity. What irony! And what an opportunity for reconciliation . . . if only they could see it.

This Christmas Noelle and Thom discover they're still in love. Regardless of their mothers' reactions, they want to be together. Is that possible? Can old rivalries be set aside? Will Sarah's Christmas daughter have a second chance with Mary's charming son?

Maybe she will . . . this Christmas!

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Fiction, Holiday, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Contemporary

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2002

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this was supposed to be a second chance romance between two high school sweethearts who broke up due to a misunderstanding and a feud between their families, but honestly, the hilarious feud between their middle-aged mothers completely stole the show. A snit over a lost tea service. Petty acts of revenge. Ten years later and both ladies are assigned to help at a charity Christmas event at church which includes shopping for Christmas gifts for kids in need. (I couldn’t stop laughing at the scene in the Value Mart. Without spoilers. Toy poodles. Barbies. Security Guards. Debbie Macomber, you are too funny.) This one was a treat!

[Suz · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Christmas read of the year! And yes, a little late. I have not read this author for some time, and I consider her the queen of sparkling wholesomeness and supremely easy reading.

This was a really short audiobook, that suited my purpose of preparing for my annual holiday; it was over before I knew it. A generous 3 stars, it was a lighthearted take of friendship, rivalry, feuding, misunderstanding, and finding one’s way back to love.

Noelle (of course - and who was born on Christmas Day)and Thom were young and love, defying their bitter mothers by continuing their love affair. A smallish issue caused a fallout between two green women, and these Women’s behaviour had been far from grown up. Their behaviour in public when their paths did cross was embarrassing and juvenile; their grievances and long held grudges certainly did not bring out the best on either woman.

Their kids kind of supported this insular childishness, by nit picking and bickering also.

The two lovebirds elopement did not work out due to a convenient problem, and they’ve been furious for more than ten years, in-fact, Noelle left town refusing to return. But she has (weight watchers magazine-a little cringy) in hand, determined to not let the man that stood her up ruin her holidays. I raised an eyebrow during their first meet where she pretended not to recognise him.

An easy read with a destined HEA, where the true spirit of Christmas works its magic and brings two families, and one happy couple together again with not too much hard work.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber is the queen of cozy contemporary romances. Her books are Hallmark movies in book form. They are sweet, wholesome and completely G- Rated. I'm not usually into this type of book but at Christmas time I fucks so hard with it!

The Christmas Basket is about Noelle and Thom, who were high school sweethearts until Thom ghosted her. Now many years later Noelle is back in town for Christmas and things with Thom are about to heat up.

Noelle and Thom's romance was fine. It was nothing special but I didn't hate it.

The relationship I loved was the relationship between Noelle and Thom's mothers. Its not romantic, they're frenemies. Mary and Sarah were hilarious and their fights were so petty and dumb. I loved it. Mary and Sarah should have been the main story. If they had been this book would have been a 5 star book.

But I still enjoyed it overall and I would definitely recommend it to any who wants to fit one more Christmas book in before the big day.

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Christmas 2017 - Naughty

I've been so cranky and Scrooge-like lately, as I attempt to find a Christmas themed novel that I like. I've added three books in a row to my "Couldn't Finish" list and I hate doing that. So I was determined to finish this one. I probably shouldn't have because it did nothing to sell me on this genre.

This was a slight, silly book about two star crossed lovers named Tom and Noel (who was born on Christmas day, of course.) As teenagers, they planned to run away together and get married. They were prevented from doing so by a combination of poor planning and a misunderstanding that involved their mothers. The mothers - two of the biggest nitwits ever to grace the printed page - have been feuding for decades over a silver tea service.

The target audience for this book seems to be people who have the kind of traumatic brain injury that prevents them from retaining new information. As undemanding as the plot is, the author repeats each element MANY times. For just one example, Noel and her younger sister were at a movie theater and they decided to throw popcorn off the balcony (don't ask) at someone they thought was Tom. But Tom was actually sitting behind them and saw the whole thing. So the Popcorn Incident happened. Later Noel and her sister discuss it. Then, Tom and Noel discuss it. Then Tom discusses it with HIS sister. And finally, Noel describes the Popcorn Incident AGAIN in her diary. At no point during the re-hashes of this fascinating (not!) story are new facts or fresh perspectives provided, lest the reader become confused.

But my biggest complaint is that after ENDLESS blathering about the silver tea service, what could have been a satisfying payoff involving the stupid thing apparently happens "off-screen" and is never described.

In the spirit of Christmas I will say that the central couple were likeable, and I did laugh a few times in a non-sarcastic fashion. So it could have been worse. It was my first by this author, and even though I can't really recommend this one, I would give another of her (non Christmas) books a chance.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful Christmas tale is a lesson in forgiveness and hope. Two best friends have a falling out when one won’t forgive the other for a lapse in judgment and a deception. The husbands, being golf buddies, remain in a secret friendship, and their kids plan to elope. Alas, a miscommunication results in a severing of that romance. But now, it’s ten years later, and it’s Christmas- the season for miracles. This story will give you a warm fuzzy feeling, with its likable characters and Christmas setting. But the way things work out may surprise you a bit!

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Short Story

This is definitely a book that can read in one sitting...there isn't a lead up...it just starts right out in the action and drama.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read for a Dec challenge. Silly story. One dimensional characters. You could see the ending a mile away. Thank goodness it's an easy & quick read.

[~Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a rewrite of the Romeo and Juliet story. Two families that have been at odds for years due entirely to the Moms of these families not getting along.

It is a fun read with likable characters and crazy situations. My kind of book!

The story is perfect for Christmas with forgiveness, second chances, redemption and a long time coming marriage proposal. Debbie Macomber continues to entertain.

[Melike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable Christmas romance. Noelle and Thomas are rekindling their high school romance after 10 years. Their mothers who used to best friends decades ago have a falling out and have remained enemies. Now Noelle is in town for Christmas and Thomas and Noelle rekindle their relationship. Will their moms be able to do the same?

PS: the moms were so cute and I especially loved reading about their petty exchanges with each other, they were hilarious.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book tonight & suddenly realized that it was read a few years ago.
It was a good read & I'm glad the feud between the two women were resolved.

[Elsha Haberle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable, embarrassingly ridiculous at times and not quite the touchy-feely Christmas book I was hoping for. Nice for the romanctical elements though.

[Lori Henrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noelle is on her way home for Christmas - not too unusual, except she hasn't been home for over 10 years. She left her hometown of Rose behind because the memories of her breakup with Thom were to painful to stay. She decided to come home because her sister Kristen is getting married and wants her to be home to help plan the wedding. Things haven't changed to much at home, her mom Sarah and Thom's mom Mary are still feuding over a misunderstanding that destroyed their friendship. Sarah does her best to avoid Mary, but if she wants to use the Women's Century Club's hall for her daughter's reception, she is going to have to work with Mary on a project - putting Christmas Baskets together for some families that really needed some help during the holiday.

This was a great holiday story. Seeing how misunderstandings can wreck a relationship that seemed so solid made me think about my relationships and how valuable they are to me and how I will always seek out someone when it seems there is something wrong. Different perceptions of situations can cause rifts that will never heal unless someone talks about it.

I really enjoyed this story. A good message.

[Heather Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is a great story about two families that the mothers had a major miss understanding and threw a very long and happy friendship down the drain. Everyone in town knows about this fuid and they try there best to get them back together. Because of this there are some funny events that happen. Also, there kids liked each other and they too had a miss understanding that ended up in them not speaking for 10 yrs. There hearts ached because of this and they never stopped loving each other. This is a great story of you never really know what you have untill it's gone. So how bad are you going to fight for it?

[Denise Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute fast read. I rated it a 4 because I didn't care for the ending, and it seemed to center around the tea service a little to much, with no closure. But I did like the story line about Noelle and Thom. It was a heartwarming Christmas miracle but not what you expected the miracle to be about.

[Zoey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice Christmas romance, but a little to cheesy for my liking & Oh the Mothers!!!! Annoying, overbearing drama queens.

[Cecelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2013/11/...

When Sarah McDowell visits the exclusive women's country club in town, she has a mission. She must reserve the club for her daughter, Kristin's, wedding. She's hoping she doesn't run into her worst enemy for the last 20 years, Mary Sutton. Long ago, Sarah was a real estate agent. She borrowed her best friend's, Mary's, family heirloom tea set to supposedly display at a house she was showing. However, Sarah lies to Mary, the silver tea set was not used for Sarah's showing, but, for a showing for one of Sarah's co-workers. The tea set is stolen, and Mary has never forgiven Sarah for lying to her and mishandling her tea set.

Sarah's daughter, Noelle, was Mary's son (Thom's) high school sweetheart. Part of the reason Thom and Noelle broke up was because of the family feud between their mothers. Now, about ten years after that nasty breakup, Noelle is back in Rose (her hometown). It was too painful for her to return to Rose after Thom stood her up the night they were supposed to elope.

It's Christmas, and Noelle is finally going to be spending the holiday with her family...the only problem is, the first person she runs into is Thom. Can they work through the past and heal from their pain? Thom was hurt, too, that awful night and he finds it hard to forgive Noelle for all that's happened.

This story was extremely light Christmas reading. It was sort of pleasant, but, very predictable. I found it hard to read about the hostile animosity between Mary and Sarah. The two women were so immature that they acted like children. Acting like that for twenty years would wear me down...I'd think I'd get tired of it after awhile. I'd probably end up moving away (to avoid my enemy), or, risk having a heart attack!

I enjoyed reading the story, and I also loved the nice, whimsical Christmas atmosphere. However, I did not enjoy it AS MUCH as Macomber's other books.

Many thanks to Harlequin MIRA for providing me a free review copy through Net Galley.

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2013/11/...

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a delightful little read that incorporates the best of Christmas--romance, forgiveness, and redemption. Noelle McDowel is home for Christmas for the first time in nearly a decade. She and her fiance had planned to meet in a park in their town and go from there to wherever they could pull off a quick, clandestined marriage. But he went to the park, and she didn't show up; she also went to the park, and he wasn't there. So painful was the experience of being stood up for her that she left the small Oregon town where she grew up and vowed never to come home again. But it's Christmas, her sister is getting married in the upcoming summer, and Christmas day is also her birthday. She risks a trip home, hoping to never run into Tom Sutton, the guy who stood her up.

To make things worse, the couple's respective mothers have been feuding for years. They were once best friends, but a stolen tea service and a misundrestanding drove wedges into the friendship that ultimately turned it into a nasty feud. The secretary of the country club to which they both belonged assigned them to work together on the preparation of Christmas baskets for delivery to the Salvation Army.

Open this book to read about the two families and the sometimes-painful, sometimes-humorous journey they took to be reunited in friendship and love. There's a small amount of profanity here early on in the book, but there are no explicit descriptions of sexual activity, so if you enjoy a Christmas-based romance that includes a lot of forgiveness, this will likely fill the bill for you. None of these characters are memorable for long, but this is a bit of Christmas fluff that will make you smile and give you a warm dose of the seasonal spirit.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

“The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber is a quick read, set in modern-day small town Rose Oregon. It's a frothy, happy-ever-after tale that is fun and satisfying to read, which of course is what you expect from a Christmas story, especially one written by Debbie Macomber.

I enjoyed the funny side joke renames: 'Curtains' OS, Value-X with blue light specials.

***SPOILERS***
From the first chapter, it's quite obvious Noelle and Thom will get back together. I was certain that Kristen had sabotaged their elopement, thinking it was for the best. Having the time on the note smudged by spilled soda is really weak. Instead the author could have written that Kristen altered the note, thinking she was saving her sister from a mistake; that would have provided a stronger plot thread, more in line with the family feud.

The mothers' antics in the stores were not very credible. Both trying to buy the same toys at the first store would certainly have alerted them they each had the same list. I can see bumping carts out of temper, but buying 250 candy bars? How does that hurt your opponent in an argument? I think the second store and the candy bars were just added to 'pad out' the story.

If Thom had not immediately identified the young boy with him at the movies as his nephew, instead just introduced him by name, it would have created more suspense as to his relationship status.

The tea set that was so critical to the feud seemed to be a forgotten loose thread by the end of the book. Noelle said she was going back to buy it, but it's never mentioned again. It's also pretty obvious that Cheryl stole it, and not credible that the best-friends mothers never suspected Cheryl or attempted to recover it from her, before becoming enemies

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, Noelle McDowell and Thomas Sutton keep getting pushed together by fate. It would be a good thing, but unfortunately, neither one of them wants anything to do with the other. You see, they used to be high school sweethearts and they had planned to runaway together because their mothers can't stand one another. Unfortunately, he went to the park at 3pm to meet with her and she went at 8pm all because of a spilled soda (I didn't like this explanation at all). Fast forward 10 years, and the mother still hate each other over a stolen heirloom tea set and a lot of petty childish rivalry. Just before Noelle arrives home from Dallas, Tx, her mother is forced to work with Thom's mother on a volunteer Christmas Basket project for their country club. If she doesn't then her daughter, Kristen, can't marry at the club. To come together in the story, the characters experience finding the wrong antique tea sets, a blizzard, a minor car wreck, some scotch on a freezing night, some popcorn throwing in a theater and a few store scenes including one that leads to both mothers being banned from shopping at the Value-X. In the end, the story ends just where you hope it will with Noelle and Thom together planning their future and their mothers finally breaking their childish cycle of bitterness toward one another. A delightful read for the holidays.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber
Noelle MacDonald was returning home. She hadn't returned since Tom Sutton had jilted her because of their mothers.
She writes in her journal, she booked the flight to Rose, home...She even lost some weight and she's prepared to see Tom.
Sarah and Mary are the mothers and Sarah wants to book the club for next summer. Problem is Mary is in charge of all that now...there are new rules in place and she must do 10 hours of community service before the end of the year.
She and Mary are to work together-buy toys for the baskets together. The story comes out about the tea service the mothers had words over and about her and Tom's to be wedding mishap that made her leave.
At the Christmas Club dance they are dancing and they hash over what happened that night they were to wed...
Tom and Noelle do get to talk, many times to help solve the problems their families and themselves have. Is it going to be enough....
When the ice storm throws the women together we wonder if they will become friends once again...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Shari Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than 10 years ago, while still in high school, Noelle McDowell and Thom Sutton fell in love. They kept it a secret though, because their mothers had been in a bitter feud with each other for several years. When they were both 18, Noelle planned to elope with Thom, but then he jilted her.


This Christmas, after avoiding her hometown for a decade because of painful memories, Noelle is home to celebrate the holidays with her family. She can't avoid running into Thom though, and they discover they are still in love, and regardless of the animosity between their mothers, they want to be together.


Both mothers find themselves working together to fill Christmas baskets for charity, which would be a perfect opportunity for reconciliation, if only they could see that!


This was a quick, "feel good" read, perfect for this time of year; a good book that offers an escape from the stress of the holidays. It's not just a romance, it's also a story about friendship. The behavior of the mothers towards each other with their rivalries seemed a bit over the top at times, but that also added some humor to the story, which made it lighthearted and fun.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Christmas Basket is a sweet book by Debbie Macomber, revolving around a sweet romance and two rivalling women making baskets during the Christmas season.

Ten years after Noelle and Thomas fell in love and broke up, they are coming back together again. But, their Mothers are constantly at each other's throats. Their rivalry is big and wicked, especially with them making the same Christmas Baskets together. Will their families accept their love even though they're feuding?

This second chance romance is super sweet, with a lovely setting of Christmas. This is far more of a romance book than a Christmas book, but it's still a great read. It's soft, simple and easy to just lie back and read a tea with. It's super cozy! If you want a relaxing read with a predictable storyline, this is perfect. Honestly, it was just what I needed. A sweet, easy read with Christmas themes in July!

Three out of five stars.

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tale! As usual, Macomber melds emotions with more than a few laughs to create a heartfelt tale that really connects you with the characters. The completely over the top reactions from the characters were priceless. Noelle’s mother was absolutely ridiculous. She was so absorbed in an age old feud that she didn’t take anyone else’s wants into consideration. Thom’s mom wasn’t much better. Together they served to create an interesting backdrop for the emotional reunion between Thom and Noelle. I really enjoyed the way that the characters all played into the intimate second chance romance that Macomber has created.

This novel is absolutely hilarious year round. It’s great for those looking for a quick, sweet read that will give you more than a couple of laughs.

[Annalisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a holiday read about forgiveness, friendship and love. I actually saw this as a Hallmark movie but based around Halloween instead of Christmas and with quite a few creative liberties - though I did enjoy the movie. It is about a man Thom and a woman Noelle who were childhood friends and high school sweethearts but who had a terrible misunderstanding that separated them for 10 years. Their mothers also used to be very close but had a falling out and now it is a ridiculous rivalry that explodes in all areas from gossip to value mart fights. When Noelle comes home for the first time in 10 years she and Thom are thrown together again and again as are Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. McDowell.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful read. More than ten years ago, Noelle and Thomas fell in love, but with their feuding families both feared how each family would respond. So, Noelle and Thom planned to elope... that is until Thomas jilted her at their designated meeting place, or so Noelle thought. Angry and hurt, Noelle moves away and stays away for 10 years. She is one her way home Christmas when runs into Thom on the plane. Both discover they are still very much in love and work together to heal the pain of the last 10 years and restore their families friendship. A great read for any Debbie Macomber fan or anyone looking for a Christmas romance.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming Christmas story that will melt your heart. The story reminds me of the Hatfields and the McCoys and their feuding. Noelle's mom and Thom's mom are feuding over a misunderstanding that ruined their friendship years ago. Now they are thrown together doing community service putting Christmas baskets together and delivering them. Noelle thinks Thom stood her up all those years ago when they were supposed to elope. Can they all work through their differences and be friends again? Read the story to see how it all ends.

[Kristen]

Great story of 2 women who have hated each other for last 20 years. They let some petty thing come between their friendship. They are thrown together at local club to do charity work on preparing Christmas baskets for Salvation Army. They despise being together but in the end realize good friendship can overcome anything.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, A strong built friendship is worth keeping. Sarah McDowell and Mary Sutton did some crazy childish things before getting back on track. Noelle McDowell and Thomas Sutton are 2 young adults caught in the middle trying to put back together a romance. Best part was the husbands kept their friendship going.

[Roseann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I am not going to be one of the life long Debbie Macomber fans. I wanted to read somnething around Christmas that had a Christmas theme. What a book of mind mush and nausea inducing fluff! Oh well, it was a VERY simple read, not very much challenge at all!

[Lynn Dubinsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Not her best Christmas story, but it was still sweet as can be.