The Everything Christmas Book: Stories, Songs, Food, Traditions, Revelry, and More (Paperback)

~ Brandon Toropov (Author), Sharon Gapen Cook (Author), Marian Gonsior (Editor), Susan Robinson (Editor), Peter Weiss (Editor), Barry Littmann (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Everything Christmas Book has it all! You can make eggnog and dozens of other classic Christmas recipes, as well as wonderful gifts from the kitchen. There are party ideas, stories and poems, customs and traditions, gift ideas, and a history of Christmas around the world. Plus a complete look at 20th Century American Christmases-from ads that ran in the 1940s to Harry Reasoner's 1968 essay "What Christ Looked Like."

From the tradition of mistletoe to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, from the lyrics of favorite carols to the date of the tree-lighting at the White House, The Everything Christmas Book is a classic to share with your family and friends.

Product Details

• Paperback: 470 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media Corporation; 2nd edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558506977
• ISBN-13: 978-1558506978
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #176,931 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Everything Christmas Book, January 23, 2001

By	Cassandra Barnes "Cassandra" (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Filled with stories, legends, songs, and recipes, The Everything Christmas Book is a fun read, as well as an authoritative reference. The editors observe that the true spirit of Christmas is a sense of wonder and "this book is intended as a celebration of that wonder."

They begin with the history of Christmas and how it "evolved over many centuries, enduring occasional tribulation, scrutiny, and abolishment along the way." Folklore, such as why red and green are Christmas colors, complements the historical facts. They also explain how decorated trees and Santa Claus became a part of contemporary Christmas celebrations.

The chapters on stories and poems include such well-known tales as Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and Moore's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," in addition to other favorites. Music and complete lyrics are provided for forty Christmas carols. The list of Christmas videos contains more than fifty titles.

Do you know in what year "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was first broadcast or when "Miracle on 34th Street" was first released in movie theaters? These are two of the 106 questions included in "The Ultimate Mass-Media Christmas Trivia Quiz." (Answers are at the end of the chapter!)

If you're up to a little traveling, check out the section on local festivities. Tree-lighting ceremonies, parades, Yule log celebrations, feasts, and lighting festivals are available all across the States. The editors provide times and contact information for each event listed.

No Christmas is complete without lots of good food, and the editors have selected a tantalizing sample of holiday recipes, including wassail and "Special Green and Red Vegetable Salad." Recipes are divided into sections for breakfasts and brunches, appetizers, side dishes, main courses and accompaniments, sweets and desserts, and drinks.

The next chapter offers recipes for gift-giving. And yes, it does include fruitcakes!

The editors conclude with a section on how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world and a discussion of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

The Everything Christmas Book is an ideal gift for people of all ages and interests. Be sure to get a copy for yourself also--it will soon become a treasured favorite.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, What Fun it Is!, October 28, 2005

By	Lori Anne Wardi "PebbleAlley.com" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This book is a real treat for kids of every age, from 1-92! It has it all -from Christmas Carols to Festive Traditions to Christmas Cookies and Holiday Recipies. There are Christmas Stories and Wishes and Treats - and anything else you could ever need to create Magical Christmas Memories! This is one of Santa's Favorites! It's sure to become one of yours too!