It's a Wonderful Christmas: The Best of the Holidays 1940-1965 Hardcover – October 1, 2004

Fun to read

Enjoyed pictures and text. Brought back old memories…

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.

I first saw this book advertised in one of the many Christmas gift catalogs filling our mailbox in October. I checked on Amazon.com to see if they had it and at what price (about $5.00 less!), so I ordered a copy. I love the book! I fall right in the demographic market this book is targeted towards and they really hit the mark. So many wonderful childhood Christmas memories were brought to mind. The text is well written and informative. The illustrations are delightful and the reproduction quality is high. I was so pleased with it (when I finally pried it out of my husband's hands so I could get a good look at it)that I ordered five more copies that night to give as gifts. Highly recommended.

I spotted this bok while temping at one of Amazon's fulfillment center and purchased it as from my quick perusal of said book I thiought it looked interesting.Oh boy, it very much is and I'm glad I bought it even though it took several months before they could send it. It was well worth the wait as I love seeing the items for sale back in the day. Then again, I enjoy estate sales and such so this was right up my alley.I thoroughly enjoyed the book and wished it went in deeper into the psyche of the times but oh well. It was still a very good read non the less and it's more of a coffee table book than anything elseDefinately worth it for that alone.

What a wonderful, nostalgic look at Christmases past. I was surprised to learn that some gifts and traditions came into being 20 years before I was born (1954), and because I lived in Germany until first grade, there were some toys, decorations and treats I never knew existed.I especially enjoyed the details of how rationing during WWII effected everything! I had heard a few of my grandmother's stories, and even have her old ration book, but never imagined how resourceful people had to become to have some semblance of normalcy during those years.What a great book, not only for your own personal stroll down memory lane, but a little more current history of Christmas for the electronic generation!

I bought this for my husband and he was so excited about it that we took it over to his parent's house for Thanksgiving to show it off. My father in law sat down and read through this book the whole evening. I need to buy him a copy now! He's still talking about how awesome it was and how it had such great information.

I bought this book for my mom (81 years old), and it brought back amazing memories for her from her teenage years through the first 20 years of her marriage. The package of ornaments shown on page 11 is the identical one my parents had bought (which we still have - most of them, anyway!). She (and I) enjoyed it so much, I also got copies for my aunt and a family friend of the same age as my mom. They both loved the book, and talked of all the memories it brought back for them, as well. It's a fun book that wil bring back memories for anyone who lived through those years.