Christmas, Present: A Novel

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean comes this heartwarming Christmas story of a family who comes together during the holiday season as they learn a powerful lesson about love and to live each year of their lives as if it were their last.

A fourteenth wedding anniversary is nothing to sneeze at, Elliott Banner knows, but it's not exactly a landmark year—like fifteen, or twenty, when he plans to take his wife, Laura, to Paris. But when a headache on the drive home from their anniversary date—two days before Christmas—turns out to be more than a migraine, he wishes he had celebrated every year as though it were their last.

In this poignant, touching, uplifting story, a woman calmly gathers her family around her during the Christmas holiday to celebrate their lives together—both past and future—and to truly count their blessings.

A family history unfolds in a single night in this deeply affecting story that speaks volumes about love, trust, and letting go—a perfect holiday read that underscores the true meaning of the season.

“Mitchard’s gift is her ability to present her characters in a compassionate light, even when revealing them at their weakest moments.”—Us Weekly

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean comes this heartwarming Christmas story of a family who comes together during the holiday season as they learn a powerful lesson about love and how to live each year of their lives as if it were their last

A fourteenth wedding anniversary is nothing to sneeze at, Elliott Banner knows, but it’s not exactly a landmark year—like fifteen, or twenty, when he plans to take his wife, Laura, to Paris. But when a headache on the drive home from their anniversary date—two days before Christmas—turns out to be more than a migraine, he wishes he had celebrated every year as though it were their last.

In this poignant, touching, uplifting story, a family gathers during the Christmas holiday to celebrate their lives together—both past and future—and to truly count their blessings.

“Few are her equal in illuminating the personal stake we all have in the daily business of living.” - People

“No heartstring goes untugged in this slim but moving Christmas story ...What easily could have become a quicksand of sentimentality is saved by Mitchard’s straightforward writing, which is poignant rather than mawkish, sometimes mordant and, despite the theme of the story, surprisingly humorous.” - Publishers Weekly

“No heartstring goes untugged in this slim but moving Christmas story.” - Publishers Weekly

“This richly imagined story will leave readers everywhere pondering the value of life’s precious moments.” - BookPage

“A touching story ...which reminds us all of the important things in life and relationships ...a good holiday read.” - Wisconsin State Journal