Customer Reviews

Four Midwestern Sisters' Christmas Book

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like the majority of the other reviewers, reading this book is a holiday tradition for me. I too was born in the 1950s and grew up in the Midwest, but sadly I have no sisters. This book for me is a way to relive my youth but also to enjoy some holiday experiences I missed out on. I truly get a magical feeling reading about this family preparing for the holidays, visiting friends, making gifts for each other, attending church ... maybe I will read it a second time this holiday season, it's a quick read and I know parts of it almost by heart. There is no other book quite like it. Highly recommended.

Disclaimer -- I'm the daughter of one of those Four Midwestern Sisters and as such, I'm clearly biased. That said, this book is magical. I was only a child when my mother and aunts wrote it, but I have grown up steeped in my family's traditions, many of which are captured in The Book (as we call it). I read it each and every year, and this year will read it to my own daughter for the first time. It is a loving meditation on the spirit of Christmas and importance of family. Enjoy.

This books has become an essential part of my own holiday traditions. I read it every year as I prepare for the holidays, and in difficult years I find it cheers me when nothing else will. The recipes are typically simple and Mmmm!. Holly has a bold no-nonsense approach to doing what it takes to have fun during the holidays, while still being sensitive, tender and funny. As a quilter, I particularly loved her recommendation about favorite holiday fabrics (Buy the bolt!). For anyone who either lives, has lived, or who romanticizes rural living, AND loves Christmas, this is a pure pleasure. Thank you, 4 Burkhalter sisters!

This was an easy and fun-to-read book because I also grew up in Iowa, the eldest of four sisters (and six brothers). The traditions and the recipes brought back many memories of wonderful Christmases past.

I'm trying to find four more copies for the four adult daughters of a friend of mine who died this past year. I've told their dad what a meaningful gift it would be for each of them.

This was truly a special book for me to read. And it reminded me how much I treasure my family.

One of my own sweet sisters gave this book to me for Christmas several years ago. I read it every year to remind myself not to be crass about Christmas and to fling myself joyously into secrets, sharing, and good spirit. The book is a gift to all who celebrate old fashioned values.

Although I grew up in Indiana and am a few years younger than these sisters, I can relate to many of the stories in this book. I read it every December. I also love the recipes - simple, basic, good food. It's one of my favorite books. : )

My wife and I both loved this book--it brought back so many fond memories. Shortly before Christmas, this year, I saw a sequel to this book--but now, I can't remember the name of it; or even if Holly Burkhalter wrote it. Can anyone out there help me with the title / author to the sequel to Four Midwestern Sisters Christmas Book, please?