For Jo and John Galamback, Christmas isn’t just a holiday—it’s a celebration of art, history and cherished memories. Over the past 30 years, the couple, who have lived in their Woodside home since the early 1990s, have built an extraordinary collection of Patricia Breen Christmas ornaments.
Jo and John’s story begins unexpectedly, like many others. John was sent to Aiken from Philadelphia thirty years ago on a temporary three-week assignment. Jo stayed home, battling winter snow drifts at the time, while John enjoyed the sunny South. That three-week assignment ended up being much longer as John fell in love with Aiken and didn’t want to leave. Jo eventually followed, and they began their life here.
Their journey into the world of Patricia Breen ornaments started with a seemingly innocuous phone call from the owner of a Christmas shop they visited annually during their regular September vacations along the Southeast coast. The merchant explained that because they were such good customers, they had won the right to purchase a limited-edition ornament by an up-and-coming artist, Patricia Breen. Jo was initially skeptical. “Why would I spend $93 on something for a Christmas tree?” she had asked. The store owner’s reply, “Trust me,” marked the beginning of their collection.
Over the years, Jo and John’s relationship with Patricia Breen herself has become just as valuable as the ornaments they collect. First introduced to her work in 1995, they’ve followed her artistic journey ever since. Breen, an art major who began making ornaments while living in Poland with her husband, created pieces that stood out for their fine detail, hand-painted designs and intricate craftsmanship.
Each ornament is a mouth-blown, limited-edition piece with molds destroyed after production, ensuring their rarity. The ornaments are hand-painted by a team of artists in Krakow, Poland, under Breen’s careful guidance, incorporating custom glitter, Swarovski crystals and unique designs. The couple’s collection includes some of Breen’s earliest creations which were ordered from simple drawings with no idea what the final color or details would be.
The Galambacks’ collection snowballed with Jo and John attending events across the country, from Texas to Connecticut, meeting Breen and other collectors. The ornaments they collected weren’t just decorations; they were fine art pieces, each with its own story and meaning. They became regular attendees at Patricia Breen’s exclusive events where collectors could place orders for new designs and win unique pieces like the garland John once won after attending seven consecutive events.
Many of the ornaments in their collection are tied to these events and to personal moments, making them even more special. Some of their most prized pieces include a Swarovski crystal-encrusted strawberry, early renditions of Copernicus and mistletoe eggs—a set of 60 to 70 that Jo proudly amassed.
Jo and John's collection is about more than just the physical ornaments. It represents their love for Christmas, their admiration for Breen’s artistry and the special memories they've built over the years. Each ornament they own has a story whether it’s a rare color variant, a piece won at an event or one of Breen’s earliest creations.
From their first piece purchased 30 years ago to the hundreds of ornaments they now own, Jo and John’s Patricia Breen collection is a testament to their love of art, tradition and the magic of Christmas. Their collection is lovingly displayed on multiple trees in their Woodside home each holiday season. The trees boast rotating tree stands so holiday guests can fully enjoy each and every piece. Their home is more than just a place filled with beautiful decorations; it’s a gallery of memories, each ornament a chapter in their lives.