The History and Legacy of Ornament Shop
From Handcrafted Keepsakes to a Modern Family Brand
How It All Began
In the early 1980s, long before online shopping became the norm, Dianne Weller launched a small business called Whiffs. She sold fragrance oils at local charity fundraisers, including the Junior League show in Chicago and Giftorama at the Kingswood School/Cranbrook.
With the help of her husband, Russell Weller, who often took time off from his advertising job to support her, Dianne gradually expanded her offerings. She introduced whimsical log animals, hand-crafted gifts, and eventually, personalized Christmas ornaments—a unique idea at the time that quickly found an enthusiastic audience.
The Birth of OrnamentShop.com
By the mid-1990s, Dianne saw the opportunity that the internet offered. She launched OrnamentShop.com, making her one of the first entrepreneurs to bring hand-personalized ornaments online.
At a time when few trusted online shopping, Ornament Shop stood out with:
- High-quality, custom-made ornaments
- A wide variety of styles for holidays and life events
- Reliable customer service and fulfillment
- Deep emotional value baked into every order
Grounded in the Midwest
From the beginning, Ornament Shop operated out of Lake Forest, Illinois. While it didn’t have a traditional storefront, the company maintained a strong physical presence through:
- A warehouse and fulfillment center
- Seasonal mall kiosks across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin
- A growing online presence that connected with customers nationwide
A Turning Point
In 2019, Ornament Shop changed ownership. The company became part of a larger retail portfolio, and while the storefront remained active, the period brought internal changes and shifts in direction. Though the brand’s core products stayed in demand, this era was transitional behind the scenes.
A New Chapter Begins
In 2024, Ornament Shop was acquired by Scott and Adam, two brothers who stepped in with a clear goal: to restore and revitalize the brand with long-term vision, operational excellence, and a renewed focus on customer connection.
One brother brings a background in military service and logistics, while the other has a deep history in business management and product development. Together, they bring strong leadership and a values-driven mindset rooted in:
- Family tradition
- Operational integrity
- Personalized customer experiences
- Quality craftsmanship
Under their leadership, Ornament Shop has re-invested in:
- A modernized e-commerce platform powered by Shopify Plus
- New personalization tools to make ordering easy and enjoyable
- A more efficient warehouse experience with faster fulfillment
- New products and categories that go beyond Christmas, including school fundraising kits, team ornaments, and year-round keepsakes
What Hasn’t Changed
Even as technology and ownership have evolved, the core mission of Ornament Shop remains the same: To help families, teams, and communities celebrate what matters most through personalized ornaments that tell real stories.
Whether it’s:
- A baby’s first Christmas
- A team winning their final game
- A school raising money with a custom keepsake
- A family gathering for the holidays
We continue to provide ornaments that become part of the moment—and part of the memory.
Quick Facts About Ornament Shop
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Founded by | Dianne Weller |
| Original business name | Whiffs |
| Online presence launched | Mid-1990s as OrnamentShop.com |
| Headquarters | Lake Forest, Illinois |
| Ownership (current) | Scott and Adam Bishop (since 2024) |
| Core offering | Personalized holiday ornaments and custom keepsakes |
| Special programs | School and team fundraising kits, bulk orders, personalization tools |
Where to Next?
- Read Our Story – Meet the team and learn what we stand for today
- Shop Personalized Ornaments – Explore our most-loved collections
- Explore Fundraising Options – See how we support schools and teams
- Tradition & Memory Blog – Ideas, stories, and customer features
