The X-Mas Men: An Eclectic Collection of Holiday Essays

Reviewed by Connie Anderson Indy Men's Magazine (as in Indiana) has put together essays written by men about Christmas. I was quickly hooked. These men tell wonderful stories, both of childhood Christmases and of today. And at the end of each, you are hit with some powerfully poignant thoughts. The humor, edginess, silliness, wonderful writing, and willingness to bare their souls-added up to 17 super stories, each with its own impact. In "On the Painful Reality of `It's a Wonderful Life,'" Lou Harry wonders what memories his kids will have of him-like when he get angry and shouts, like George did-after a bad day at work. He wants his kids to remember the good things. Will they judge him for his failures or successes? In "On Aluminum Trees" by Sam Stall, he talks how the children of the 60's have memories of the aluminum shiny Christmas trees that became popular after WWII. His father told him that these trees help commune with the past Christmases to when everyone he loved was alive and healthy and all together in one room-but the author was too young and innocent to realize it wouldn't last. (pg. 34). In "Buying Gifts for Dad" was about Michael Kun's father who didn't like receiving gifts--but he just smiled and thanked his kids for the weird things anyway. Today, Michael would rather receive a card and a hug than a gift, but when he gets one, he just smiles-just like his dad. Of the 17, the one I liked the most, because it holds true in some way for many of us who have someone who does not deal with reality on the same level as we are. In "On Homemade Holidays" by Doug Crandall, he writes about his mother's way of making homemade gifts-and also talking about herself in the third person. As children they smiled and sort of understood these homemade (okay, really weird) gifts, and as adults, they smile because they understand. I hope a lot of people get to read these stories because they will bring up memories-and if you are no longer young, you sadly realize that good memories are all you have sometimes-and that everything does not last. Armchair Interview says: A wonderful gift for the guy in your life so his wife can read it and say, "Honey, you should read this one--it's just like the relationship you have with your (dad, mom, sibling, etc.).

This is a terrific anthology. I particuarly enjoyed the pieces by Tom Chiarella and Todd Tucker. Good job Indy Men's Magazine. Keep the books coming.