A heartfelt, hilarious look at the evolution of a half-trillion-dollar American holiday the test of time.
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Jul 30, 2011
Rebecca
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Man, I am sort of on a roll with books I enjoyed! This book was a review on Christmas in this country. Like certain social networking sites, just because I am not a part of the fiesta, doesn't mean I am not interested in why other people are. The author picked an excellent town to review, an up and coming rich-ish suburb of DFW in Texas. He ended up reviewing 3 different types of families over 2006, 7 and 8 and while he didn't focus too much on the downturn that was 2008, it was still an excelle
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Dec 19, 2010
Book Concierge
rated it:
3.5***
Stuever is a reporter and this non-fiction work chronicles his time spent in a suburb of Dallas Texas as the city and its families prepared for Christmas 2006. Porter’s reading of this work is quite good. He gets the cadence and rhythm of speech of his subjects, which brings a certain life to the work.
This is Christmas before the economy took a tumble, before mass foreclosures and lay-offs. When consumerism was still king, and especially so in the wealthier made- More...
Stuever is a reporter and this non-fiction work chronicles his time spent in a suburb of Dallas Texas as the city and its families prepared for Christmas 2006. Porter’s reading of this work is quite good. He gets the cadence and rhythm of speech of his subjects, which brings a certain life to the work.
This is Christmas before the economy took a tumble, before mass foreclosures and lay-offs. When consumerism was still king, and especially so in the wealthier made- More...
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Apr 19, 2010
Joemmama
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Hank Stuever has written an amazing look at the American way of Christmas. In 2006, Stuever, a reporter, went to Frisco Texas, to find one of the nations most over the top celebrations. Before the recession, the upscale neighborhood, with its mega churches, mega malls, mc-mansions, and big hair, he follows three families as they each try to find that perfect "mega moment"(you know, when it all comes together and just for a few moments everyone is happy).
From the crowd More...
Dec 15, 2010
Gail
rated it:
Would you be willing to let a stranger spend Christmas with your family? While he takes notes? Even when he asks how much you spent on everything?
These are the questions Hank Stuever asks the reader in the acknowledgments of this book. As he hunkers down in the Texas 'burbs for the holidays, Hank tells the stories of three families as they prepare for their Christmases. All told, he'll spend Xmas '06, '07 and a bit of '08 with these people—a time frame that, for all the craziness tha More...
These are the questions Hank Stuever asks the reader in the acknowledgments of this book. As he hunkers down in the Texas 'burbs for the holidays, Hank tells the stories of three families as they prepare for their Christmases. All told, he'll spend Xmas '06, '07 and a bit of '08 with these people—a time frame that, for all the craziness tha More...
Jan 06, 2012
Andrea
rated it: 
A fantastic look at Christmas culture in America, as seen through a typical mid- to upper-class subdivision-and-mall suburb of Dallas: McMansions, big box retail, megachurches, fake tits and fake trees. In the winter of 2006, Steuver spent the holiday season with three families and experienced the shopping, decorating, consuming, churchgoing, and family stress along with them ~ a poignant time, as it was the last "big" Christmas in America for lots of people. After the economy collapse
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Mar 09, 2011
Sheena
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This is a very interesting book. I found it fascinating because I live in the DFW area and it's rather strange to see "ourselves" portrayed in a book. The author is a transplanted Oklahoman that now lives in Washington so the smug superiority attitude he exhibits gets a little old. Oklahoma is just a stone's throw from Texas so I don't get the idea that we are somehow unique for overdoing the Christmas spending and decorating everything that doesn't move in the name of religion. Texas
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Dec 11, 2010
Ruth
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Since I am not normally a non-fiction fan, this is the first time I have read a book that takes a look at the modern day Dallas. I grew up in the heyday of the Dallas TV show of the 70s and the misconceptions of my hometown that grew from the show. However, it is interesting to see the 21st century Dallas through the eyes of a visitor. It is almost as if we have indeed morphed into the Ewing world. Perhaps because we are still a relatively “new” American city, we still have the land to do everyt
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Mar 08, 2010
Shannon
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I'd like to give this 3.5 stars, but I just don't have it in me to bump it up to 4. Not that the book was bad; quite the contrary, actually. Stuever is an entertaining, if slightly hipster and derivative, writer, and the book was fairly enjoyable (thus the 3.5 stars). But it was...unsurprising. Were there any great insights we were supposed to gain as we read about three Frisco, TX, families and their observation of the Christmas season? With one single exception - a 30-something husband wh
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Jan 10, 2011
Megan
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An interesting journalistic voyage into Christmas Before The Crash. Stuever follows three families in upscale Frisco (a suburb of Dallas) to chronicle the ways they celebrate Christmas, which, thanks to Stuever's cynical eye and keen sense of numbers, becomes a tale of hypocracy and commercialistic meaninglessness. It's a bit depressing, but that doesn't mean it isn't accurate.
Sadly, though, Stuever's complaints about Christmas--cost, the emphasis on more, how no amount of spending is More...
Sadly, though, Stuever's complaints about Christmas--cost, the emphasis on more, how no amount of spending is More...
Dec 29, 2009
New Yorker Review:
In 2006, Stuever set out to characterize the experience of Christmas—its aesthetics, economics, and metaphysics—in an average Texas town. The resulting dissection of the holiday is cultural anthropology at its most exuberant. According to Stuever, fakery, not excess, is the signature of the modern American Christmas. More than twice as many synthetic Christmas trees are trimmed each year as real ones. Santa figurines at a Christmas bazaar purported to be handmade More...
In 2006, Stuever set out to characterize the experience of Christmas—its aesthetics, economics, and metaphysics—in an average Texas town. The resulting dissection of the holiday is cultural anthropology at its most exuberant. According to Stuever, fakery, not excess, is the signature of the modern American Christmas. More than twice as many synthetic Christmas trees are trimmed each year as real ones. Santa figurines at a Christmas bazaar purported to be handmade More...
Sep 05, 2010
Kari
rated it:
A slightly bitchy dude chronicles over the top Christmases in exurban Dallas. Superfical "Real Housewives" types. 11 year olds who still believe in Santa. Red strips on candy canes representing the "blood of Christ." Best holiday book ever!
Nov 30, 2010
Janel
rated it:
I wasn't sure what kind of angle this book might take, but I was plesantly surprised on the tone and direction the book took. Hank's writing style makes the book easy to read, but it's not just a narrative of his observations. He includes history tidbits about Christmas and facts and figures as well. I found myself thinking that I wish I could get my father to read this book. He's a fanatic decorator (and not just at Christmas) and loves to look at Christmas lights.
I'm not a huge fa More...
I'm not a huge fa More...
Dec 22, 2009
Marina
rated it:
Journalist Stuever travels to Frisco, Texas for three consecutive Christmas seasons (November to January) to invade the lives of three individuals/couples. Tammie the Christmas decorator guru who single-handedly decorates 30-40 homes in one season from Thanksgiving to December 11 (if they aren't done by then they are way behind in their planning is what she implies), Jeff and Bridgette Trykoski (http://www.trykoskichristmas.com/) whose light and music choreographed home draws hundreds to their n
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Jan 19, 2011
Vicki
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An interesting and fun read. I was given the book by my niece who is neighbors with one of the couples in the book. This is how I came to have a signed copy of the book. I enjoyed the stories and the style so much that I subsequently found another book by Stuever to read: Off Ramp. Reading this book, I snickered to myself, I cringed a little, and I got outright upset about some of the behaviors he wrote about. This is a Christmas story initiating in and around the Big D. If you know anythi
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Dec 26, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
What started out as an exploration of America's consumer Christmas culture, developed over the several years Stuever researched and lived among his mall-loving Texan subjects, into a clear-eyed, but also respectful, even loving, look not only at the shopping madness, but also into the hearts of people he came to be close to. Beyond the gizmos and fad gifts, and the Black Friday frenzy, the residents of Frisco, Texas, want only what we all want: connection, and, as one of puts it, "the total
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Nov 01, 2009
Flora
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I don't know why people describe this book as funny ... it seemed to tell it like it is, almost dispassionately. (Why yes, people in the wealthier Dallas suburbs DO do all these things.) Someone else used the word "poignant," and I guess that fits it pretty well. What I appreciated most was that the author didn't seem to exaggerate anything, which is prone to happen when coasties write about Texas.
The book was tightly written -- almost too tightly, since I wanted to know m More...
The book was tightly written -- almost too tightly, since I wanted to know m More...
Dec 26, 2009
Teresa Rolfe
rated it:
I read this in the weeks leading up to Christmas, which I thought was the perfect time for this book about one community's immersion in the holiday of Christmas. Tinsel is a sobering expose about Frisco, TX and the myriad ways Christmas is celebrated by a quintessential affluent suburb. Christmas is such a personal and intimate yet completely commercial experience in America. Tinsel helped me put in perspective how my family rates in whole range of Christmas experiences. Illuminating, honest and
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Nov 22, 2010
Caro
rated it:
There's a few oft-remarked-upon parts of Christmas; our own irrepressible nostalgia, the religiously crazed and their antics, and - the most frequently mentioned with chagrin - our over-commercialization of a holiday which we all feel should actually be about someone who purportedly started life in a barn with next to nothing. This book is simultaneously about none of all that and about nothing but all that.
Hank Steuver moved to Frisco, Texas for the Christmas of 2006, and the three f More...
Hank Steuver moved to Frisco, Texas for the Christmas of 2006, and the three f More...
Dec 23, 2010
Dawn
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 03, 2010
Vy
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If you're looking for a feel-good Christmas book, this is not it. Stuever gives us a close look at what an exurban Christmas looked like in 2006, before things went bust. The setting is Frisco, TX, but except for references to A&M and mild weather, it really could have been just about any place in the country similarly afflicted with affluenza. He tells us how the season plays out, from the shopping and decorating crescendo that starts in the fall, through to the packing up of ornaments and ligh
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Dec 07, 2009
pianogal
rated it:
I thought this book was interesting - if only for the fact that it gave a good description (in hindsight, of course) of the state of the economy from 06-08 and it's effect on Christmas. Some of the people I just wanted to smack for the careless spending of imaginary money.
Also, got a little tired here and there of the author's Blue State East Coast liberalism. He thinks he's smarter than us Red Staters in the middle of the country, just because we believe in something he doesn't. More...
Also, got a little tired here and there of the author's Blue State East Coast liberalism. He thinks he's smarter than us Red Staters in the middle of the country, just because we believe in something he doesn't. More...
Jan 04, 2010
Lorrie
rated it:
This book was released late in '09, and that's unfortunate. I wish there had been more pre-Christmas time for readers to find the book and get into it. Hank Stuever did some great participant observation about over-the-top decorating in Frisco, TX. I never dreamed that so many people (Griswalds) are into lighting. Stuever delivered an interesting
facet of this affluent suburb, but he managed to keep it funny and non-critical. He even developed warm friendships with the people he studied
facet of this affluent suburb, but he managed to keep it funny and non-critical. He even developed warm friendships with the people he studied
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Nov 04, 2011
Kory
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Very enjoyable commentary and insights on the celebration of Christmas not only in the US, but in Dallas Texas. The author does his best to not trip over his own ego and bias-however in the end he has a hard time shielding his self righteousness from the reader.
I gave it four stars because it was enjoyable- and beyond that, it made me think causing a bit of introspection and ultimately did change how I view and will celebrate Christmas in my own home.
I gave it four stars because it was enjoyable- and beyond that, it made me think causing a bit of introspection and ultimately did change how I view and will celebrate Christmas in my own home.
Dec 14, 2010
well...there were a number of themes in this book....mega churches, overblown decorations, rampant commercialism...the most disturbing to me was friends who couldn't go see a dying friend because they didn't want to see her like that....folks will send cards and otherwise put things that unpleasant aside...if you have friends or family that are ill, see them and talk to them...can't wait to see what my book club says about this!!
Nov 01, 2009
Our little (okay, not-so-little) suburb is the backdrop for this new book!
Amazon.com says: In Tinsel, Hank Stuever turns his unerring eye for the idiosyncrasies of modern life to Frisco, Texas, a suburb at once all-American and completely itself, to tell the story of the nation's most over-the-top celebration: Christmas.
I am oh-so very curious...to see...if this does indeed capture what Frisco is all about!
Amazon.com says: In Tinsel, Hank Stuever turns his unerring eye for the idiosyncrasies of modern life to Frisco, Texas, a suburb at once all-American and completely itself, to tell the story of the nation's most over-the-top celebration: Christmas.
I am oh-so very curious...to see...if this does indeed capture what Frisco is all about!
Oct 20, 2010
Geralee
rated it:
Enjoyable and remarkable look at Christmas celebrated in Frisco, Texas in 2006 before America's economic troubles. Written by a journalist, and you can feel his note-taking presence at the family celebrations and shopping excursions he was generously allowed to attend. Most enjoyable to me were his forays into Pastor Keith's megachurch. The end of the book brings you up to date with trips back in 2007 and 2008. Very touching.
Dec 19, 2009
Lauren
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Not a history of past Christmases, but a snapshot view of Christmas in the early 21st century. Sort of documenting the holiday lives of three families in a Dallas suburb, and told from the perspective of an East Coast liberal, I expected more of a satire or at least some snarky writing, but the author was clearly taken in by the kindness of the families who allowed the author into their lives. The veracity of the author's emotions resonated with me, and I really enjoyed reading it.
Jul 26, 2011
Having never done big holidays, I was fascinated by this author's anthropological infiltration of the Christmas culture of Frisco, Texas, including the Israeli-domination of Christmas-themed mall kiosks, megachurch pageants, engineers who make their home light displays visible from space, the politics of Angel Tree charity and Tammi Parnell: Terrifying Mercenary Christmas Decorator
Oct 05, 2010
theelfqueen
rated it:
I really enjoyed the reading of this. I'm an admittedly an enthusiastic celebrator of Christmas, yes, I'm an Epiphany girl, too.
The author's approach to exploring an exurban holiday was engaging. The accounts of the families he followed were respectful of them as people and of their traditions while still eye-opening as to social conventions surrounding the holidays. I would have liked a little more in-depth looks at the changes over the three seasons he visited.
Overall More...
The author's approach to exploring an exurban holiday was engaging. The accounts of the families he followed were respectful of them as people and of their traditions while still eye-opening as to social conventions surrounding the holidays. I would have liked a little more in-depth looks at the changes over the three seasons he visited.
Overall More...
Jan 01, 2010
Cynthia
rated it:
The author spent three Christmas seasons in Frisco, Texas with three different families. He does tell what a Christmas in middle-class Texas is like Iand upper middle class.) Reminded me so much of home with the fake snow, lots and lots of lights and shopping. Bonus: a friend of mine is mentioned in the book, she didn't even know she was in it!
