Tree of Treasures: A Life in Ornaments

Mackay, a consultant in retail design and merchandising who has supervised the creation of Christmas ornaments for Bloomingdale’s and the Museum of Modern Art, showcases her personal collection of Christmas tree ornaments in this illustrated book of Christmas cheer. Her 3,000 ornaments fall into myriad classes, including “Rabbits Rule,” nativity, Scandinavia, and Scotland. Between a brief introduction to her ornamented life and suggestions for others to improve theirs, Mackay pairs photos by Eisenhardt, her film editor husband, with her vignettes about selected baubles. These memories range from family to business, with anecdotes about the givers or breakages. She includes materials and measurements for each ornament. Unfortunately, Mackay crosses the line from childlike to childish, producing treacly personifications of the ornaments; she includes details insignificant to anyone outside her circle. Mackay’s underlying message is her strongest: that people who delight in their trees’ ornaments should write their own memory books. Color photos. (Sept.)