It's a Wonderful Christmas: The Best of the Holidays 1940-1965

I am a Christmas junkie, always have been, so this was a great gift idea for one such as me, and my wife saw this and pounced on it straight off. I don't think I'm the only one, either -- Christmas is the whole reason for having a calendar, for enduring summer, a reward for keeping our yaps shut during Near-holidays, or Faux holidays, like Labor Day or Valentine's. Christmas is life at its surreal best, the time when we get nostalgic for stuff that didn't really happen. We might be the first group to confuse recollection of television shows with our own lives, and, hey, we REVEL in that. One moment is typical -- the window stencils and the spray junk that made the images on one's windows. It came right off, but it still irritated the bee-whosis out of our mom. Here is where things get slightly mystical for me. The photo brought back smells and sounds and body memories -- I can think of no other way to describe them -- in a heady and bittersweet rush. I wanted more -- I want more. This is the one criticism I had -- don't you think something so crucial to American life and light should be a trifle more exhaustive? Couldn't this have been a coffee-table sized book? Are there sequels planned? Maybe year by year, throwing wide the focus? This felt more like an article that was beefed up a bit, and I think Ms. Waggoner could cast a wider net and make her and her publisher much more money and make us Christmas junkies much happier. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended, buy yourself a copy and a few for friends -- it would make a great Christmas gift, actually -- and get a few copies of the real MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET while you're at it. How are you coming on memorizing the dialogue in A CHRISTMAS STORY, by the way?

The subtitle of this book is "The best of the Holidays 1940 - 1965." That's certainly true. What one discovers is that many of the traditions we associate with Christmas: wrapping presents, visiting Santa etc aren't that old-most started in the last 80 years or so. Specifically, the chapters cover the evolution of Christmas trees, (artificial trees have a much longer legacy than most people, including me, know), decorations, lighting shopping-of course, food and Santa Claus. Anyone who remembers that time, will certainly enjoy reading about Bubble Lights and Green Bean Casseroles. The author makes the point along the way, that those who decry the "commercialization of Christmas", are first: missing a crucial point that the secular part of the celebration helps to socialize those who aren't Christians and second: complaints about commercialization go back to at least 1837 for the US (and I believe the 18th Century in the UK.) This short (about 100 pages all told) book would make an excellent gift to the baby-boomer on your list.

The first time I saw this book I knew I had to have it. I remember those early 60's Christmases and my mom and dad had told me so much about their own wartime holidays. This book makes me want to go back in time and do it all over again! Super photos and ads!

I have to admit that the content in this book is a bit before my time...yet that doesn't make it any less wonderful to browse through. Open the pages and step back to the simpler times of the 40's and 50's. Browse through the wonderful toys are parents grew up with...Model trains, dolls, cars and trucks...and the great decorations of that bygone era with the wonderful glass ornaments, bubble lights, and aluminum trees. Filled with fun and interesting facts about the times, the sense of nostalgia you get when going through this great book is awesome. Really makes you wish you had grown up during that era. If I have a minor complaint its that I wish the book was longer.