Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree: A Festive Guide to Celebrating the Holidays (Recipes, Crafts, and More!) – The Perfect Fun Gift for the Xmas Season

by Harper Celebrate

Get the most out of your Yuletide celebrations and let the Christmas spirit ring with this full-color festive handbook to all things holiday! You will rock around your Christmas tree this season with the beloved, nostalgic #1 chart-topping song as your guide to a host of holiday fun, from recipes and crafts to party games, decor ideas, and more!

Back in 1958, sock hops were the rage, aluminum Christmas trees were the future, and 13-year-old singer Brenda Lee was recording the soon-to-be-classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." This delightful gift book—perfect for stockings, coffee tables, or under the tree—celebrates the song's record-breaking revived popularity, with ideas for holiday parties, innovative decorations, cozy meals, and more.

Whether you are at the Christmas party hop or hanging the mistletoe where you can see, you will get a sentimental feeling when

Choose from over 30 recipes for food and cocktails such as pull-apart pastry puffs, Christmas morning casserole, ornament and gingerbread cookies, and a holly jolly espresso martiniWelcome others into the celebration with fun games, party ideas, and a soundtrack for all your Christmas gatheringsRelive your favorite Christmas memories as you dip into nostalgia and learn the fascinating history behind familiar traditions, such as hanging mistletoe, watching Christmas movies, or decorating cookiesMake your home merry and bright with creative ways to decorate your door, set your table, and wrap your giftsEnjoy insights and stories from the song’s origins and legacy of singer Brenda Lee and songwriter Johnny Marks 

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree is an ideal gift

Your family member or friend who has an over-the-top love for the Christmas season (you know exactly who!)A "family gift" for your household in the lead-up to Christmastime to help you celebrate together and get the most out of your holiday festivitiesA gift for yourself (because maybe you are the person with the over-the-top love of Christmas!) 

With everything from Christmas carol lyrics to fun holiday trivia, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree gives you all the feels, fun, and festivities you love about the season. Rock on in the new old-fashioned way!

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Crafts, Holiday, Cooking

176 pages, Hardcover

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Sheila]

I received a free copy of, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, by Harper Celebrate, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a perfect guide for celebrating Christmas, It has recipes, songs, things to make, so many great ideas, for a great Christmas. I really enjoyed this book.

[Literary Redhead]

This is a fabulous gift book that is so fun I plan on buying copies for myself, family and friends. The colorful mid-century illustrations, the delicious recipes for cocktails and holiday food, the decorating ideas, the fascinating background on the famous tune recorded by Brenda Lee at 13, and so much more make this a one-of-a-kind must have. Merry Christmas!

[Morgan Wheeler]

A Must-Have for a Holly Jolly Holiday!

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree: A Festive Guide to Celebrating the Holidays by Harper Celebrate is the ultimate holiday companion, and I couldn’t be more excited to dive into it this season!

This book truly has something for everyone—whether you're planning a dazzling Christmas party, hosting a cozy holiday dinner, or simply curling up with loved ones to soak in the magic of the season. It’s a comprehensive guide wrapped up in sprinkles and bows, offering recipes, decor inspiration, and entertaining tips that make the holidays even more special.

The illustrations are an absolute delight—a charming blend of 1950s retro aesthetics and Rifle Paper Company’s style (I’m not sure if this is who illustrated it, but this is absolutely the vibe). That nostalgic, whimsical feel beautifully contrasts with the crisp, high-quality photographs of the recipes and decorations, making every page a feast for the eyes.

Thank you to Harper Celebrate for the advanced e-copy of this festive gem! I can’t wait to bring its magic to life this holiday season. If you're looking for a book that captures the spirit of Christmas in every way, this is it!

🎄✨🎁

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle]

Today is the day Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Harper Celebrate drops and I ascend into peppermint-scented heaven. It’s a full-blown Christmas HOW-TO delivered like a musical concept album and I regret nothing.

Do you understand the audacity it takes to structure an entire Christmas book around the lyrics of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree? This is not a book. This is a concept album disguised as a holiday manual. It is both a party playlist and a fever dream. Every chapter title is a lyric, and every lyric is a vibe check. I want to shake hands with the editorial team who greenlit this glitter-fueled masterpiece, then thank them for their service to seasonal chaos.

Let me just walk you through what’s happening here. Chapter One: "Rockin’ around the Christmas tree”... FINDING THE PERFECT TREE. We start humble. Wholesome. There’s pine. There’s history. There’s a presidential fact about Calvin Coolidge that makes you go “Huh!” while you sip something cinnamon-scented. You're not just learning how to pick a tree. You're bonding with ghosts of Christmas past through horticulture. Honestly? 10/10 opening move.

By Chapter Two, we're already at “At the Christmas party hop”, which translates to HOSTING CHRISTMAS PARTIES. We are two lyrics deep and already setting up drink stations and guest lists like we’re preparing for a holiday-themed episode of Top Chef. If Chapter One is “Hallmark Homebody,” Chapter Two is “Martha Stewart woke up and chose peppermint-scented violence.”

Then we get “Mistletoe hung where you can see”, which is, I kid you not, DECORATING WITH MISTLETOE. This chapter sounds like it was brainstormed in a room full of elves hopped up on sugar cookies and old Bing Crosby records. You are not just decorating. You are curating botanical flirtation zones. This is seduction via shrubbery, and it is FABULOUS.

Every single lyric is treated like a mission statement. Chapter 7? “Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie” = YUMMY CHRISTMAS SWEETS. I’m sorry, are you seeing this? The book has a structural payoff. That lyric shows up in the song at exactly the midpoint... which is exactly where the dessert chapter hits. That’s not editing. That’s narrative architecture.

It’s got historical context, DIYs, drink recipes, party planning, relationship advice, and a gingerbread-based judging rubric. And somehow it all flows? I shouldn't be able to follow a through-line from “ornament crafts” to “home greenery installation” to “holiday dance party” without losing my mind, and yet. Here I am. Fully onboard. Rockin’. Around. That. Christmas. Tree.

Also, the intro pages are so aggressively adorable it’s basically emotional blackmail. One minute you're learning about President Franklin Pierce and the first White House Christmas tree. The next you're nodding solemnly like, “Yes, when the tree goes up, the season begins. I understand now.” You’ve been indoctrinated and you like it.

Anyway, I now believe this book should be adapted into a Broadway musical revue starring Brenda Lee, five drag queens, and a live raccoon trained to steal mistletoe off the set. Until that happens, I’ll settle for rereading the chapter titles like they're lyrics to a secret spell that summons peak holiday serotonin.

Merry Mayhem Prize: For Turning a Table of Contents Into a Full-Blown Christmas Anthem Plot Arc

Huge thanks to Harper Celebrate and NetGalley for the ARC, which promptly sent me into full tinsel-hoarding mode. My tree’s not even up yet and I already have judgmental opinions about garland layering. You've created a monster, and she’s holding a cheese ball.

[The Sassy Bookworm]

Book Review: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Harper Celebrate

Rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

I picked up Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree: A Festive Guide to Celebrating the Holidays (Recipes, Crafts, and More!) by Harper Celebrate on a whim, and honestly it felt like I’d unwrapped a cheerful little present. From the moment I saw that bright, retro-inspired cover I was smiling—it's the kind of design that immediately promises good vibes and holiday fun, and the book delivers on that promise in spades.

This is one of those cozy, all-in-one Christmas companions: part recipe collection, part craft and decor handbook, part nostalgic history lesson, and part party-planning playbook. The whole thing riffs off the spirit of the classic song "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," using its sunny, 1950s energy as a jumping-off point for everything from recipes and cocktails to games, DIY decorations, and bite-sized stories about holiday traditions and the song’s creators. There are more than 30 recipes—think pull-apart pastry puffs, a hearty Christmas morning casserole, cute ornament and gingerbread cookies, and even a holly jolly espresso martini—alongside clever entertaining tips and playlists to set the mood for any holiday gathering.

What I really loved was how the book blends practical ideas with little servings of nostalgia. You can dip into short pieces about why we hang mistletoe, revisit classic Christmas movies, and read the backstory of Brenda Lee and Johnny Marks without feeling like you’re slogging through a history textbook. It’s all presented in a breezy, approachable way that makes you want to try the crafts, cook the easy recipes, and invite friends over for one more festive get-together.

The layout is gorgeous—full color, peppered with cheerful photos and playful graphics—so it feels at home on a coffee table or peeking out of a stocking. Everything is organized so you can flip straight to party games, table-setting ideas, wrapping inspiration, or a quick cookie recipe when you’re in holiday hustle mode.

If you love Christmas (and you know those people who absolutely live for it), this book is an ideal gift—whether for a friend, your household as a shared holiday resource, or simply yourself because, why not? It’s packed with enough inspiration to make your season merrier and more effortless, and it captures that warm, slightly vintage holiday vibe in a way that’s both fun and useful.

Five out of five stars from me. It’s festive, handy, and just plain fun—exactly what I want when I’m planning a holiday full of cheer. Rock on and get ready to deck the halls.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Em]

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree focuses on getting into the festive mood through the Classic song Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. The book includes tips, recipes, crafts, decor, and parting planning ideas surrounding Christmas time.

The Sections are
1. Rockin Around the Christmas Tree (Finding the perfect tree)
2. At the Christmas Party Hop (hosting Christmas parties)
3. Mistletoe hung where you can see (decorating with mistletoe)
4. every couple tries to stop (celebrating love at Christmas)
5. Rockin Around the Christmas Tree (an ode to Ornaments)
6. Let the Christmas Spirit Ring (getting into the Christmas Spirit)
7. later we'll have some pumpkin pie (Yummy Christmas sweets)
8. And we'll do some caroling (singing through the season)
9. You will get a sentimental feeling (remembering Christmas of Old)
10. When you hear voices singing, "lets be jolly" (bringing joy to the world)
11. Deck the halls with boughs of holly (home decor and greenery)
12. Rockin Around the Christmas Tree (Happy Christmas Morning!)
13. Have a happy holiday (cozy Christmas gatherings)
14. Everyone dancin' merrily (holiday dance party)
15. In the New Old Fashioned way (mixing Christmas Past and Present)

Reading each section before I got into the book some of the sections I still didn't know what to expect. Although I don't totally love the section titles as some of the section names occur multiple times. This book has a way of combining history, ways to add flair and keep the tradition of Christmas. The book is a very thought out original and incredibly cute.

There are many recipes intertwined into each section which are fairly simple recipes. Each recipe has prep time, total time, servings, ingredients, and directions.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle]

A fun, festive retro-inspired guide to making your home festive for Christmas and how to host a rockin’ Christmas party. The book is structured around the song Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee, with short sections named using the hit lyrics. The table of contents could be used as a sing-a-long guide! There are recipes, cocktails, crafts, and tips to make your Christmas celebration extra special no matter your vision.

Something that I noticed and appreciate about this book is that it’s entirely secular, avoiding the mention of Christ or Christianity, while including anecdotes and references to many other cultures’ winter celebrations and myths. The section about mistletoe even explains the Norse myth of Baldur being struck down by a mistletoe arrow. No matter what others believe, in between these pages, Brenda Lee is the reason for the season!

I personally love the way this book focuses on the social and sensual (read: 5 senses) aspects of the holiday. In fact, my favorite part was the part that discussed using the 5 senses to help create immediate changes to the decor or atmosphere of your home or event space. I love the intentional communal gatherings that are hallmarks of this season, and this is an excellent guide to showing appreciation through festivity.

If you love to celebrate Christmas so hard you would rail a line of crushed up gingerbread (kidding!), but don’t like going to church, this book is for you.

Thank you to Harper Celebrate for this ebook ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Katelyn Jayne]

- I received this book from NetGalley -

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree is a wonderful catch all book for the holiday season. I could see myself opening this book in November to start to get the ideas flowing and to really focus on what I would want to do the coming holiday season.

The fact that all the recipes have pictures is perfect for a visual person as it shows what you should aim for.

The different themes are also great as you wouldn't necessarily need to pick only one, but could take what you want from each to make it your own.

It was also wonderful that it isn't just a food book, or a craft book, but more an everything book where it gives you enough to get started to have a successful party or event, but doesn't overwhelm you to the point that you need to have every little thing done.

I really liked the Do's and Don'ts for hosting a party because even I need some reminders that you can't do it all!

A wonderful book that anyone could use to help set up their holiday schedule or to just look through for the nostalgia!

[Lee Lee]

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree - Harper Celebrate

What a great read, thank you.

✨Beautifully written and illustrated! ✨

I love the intro in this book and the fun facts about Brenda Lee. Brenda Lee’s hit ‘Rockin’ around the Christmas tree was released when my Mum was just 1 year old, how the years fly by (Mum - 1957 - 2017 💔)
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree also features in the Home Alone movie, which has been watched numerous times in our household but only at Christmas!

I enjoy older music and traditions a lot more than modern ones. My Mum always used to say “you’re older than your years.” That may be so, but older traditions are more appealing to me and they make sense, it makes me happy. This book has just the right amount of both older and newer, more modern traditions and ideas and that’s perfect for me.

Love to reminisce about Christmas past. Bring on the holidays. 😊 ❤️ 🌲

[Kathy]

Fun ways to share the joy of the holiday

Oh, this book is so much fun! I love it! I powered through it in about 90 minutes, but I'm going back through the season for inspiration. The song instantly transports me back to Christmas memories. If this doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit, I don’t know what will.

It features a mix of Christmas history and practical tips for enjoying the holidays, from selecting a tree to hosting entertaining gatherings. From the first chapter to the last, it is packed with ideas to celebrate the season. It has crafts to do and recipes to make. I love that a colour photo accompanies each recipe for a cocktail, snack or dessert. They look delicious, and I can’t wait to try them out. This book will appeal to anyone who loves the holiday and wants to share their joy with friends and family.

Thank you to Harper Celebrate and NetGalley for access to a digital review copy.

[Brandi]

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree is a song that instantly triggers so many memories and feelings of nostalgia. I love this book dedicated to all things having to do with this timeless treasure. Truly, all things. There is decorating, crafts, games, ornaments, songs, treats, and of course, hosting parties and gatherings. There are many factoids scattered throughout in addition to historical nuggets, tips, guides, and tricks to just about any topic centered around Christmas. The art is fun and whimsical, inviting the reader to keep turning the pages for more. This will make an excellent coffee table display during the holidays or a fun gift for those who love to celebrate the season.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

[Tea]

What a fun and charming holiday book. I love the way that the chapters are styled after lines in the famous Christmas song. I really appreciate the history lesson about Brenda Lee and the inclusion of her pie recipe in the book. There are so many different fun ideas in this book. The illustrations and photographs are colourful and the vibe is delightful. I like the way that the book provides useful information and a variety of different levels of crafts, cooking, and entertaining ideas. The history of different traditions and the different ways to include them into your own celebrations make this a book that is fun for anybody who wants to add something new to their own holidays.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper for this fun ARC

[Leah]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

There is so much going on in this book, but in the best way. This book feels like a love letter to Christmas. It’s part history lesson, part education, part crafting, part decorating tips and part cookbook. The recipes are fun and approachable with ingredients your average cook will have. The crafting recipes are easy to follow and detailed. The brief historical anecdotes are fun but not overwhelming. There are so many fun recipes, fun activities for families or friends to partake in, fun gifting ideas

This would be a great hostess gift or even just fun seasonal book to have in your collection.

Thank you to Harper Celebrate and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Megan Beech]

This is a truly fun and useful book perfect for the upcoming holidays! By capturing the spirit of Christmas and promoting the excitement that the holiday season brings to most people, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree does that and much more. The mid century style pictures are reminiscent of a traditional Christmas that I had always dreamed of and it gives me good feels all over! This is a book I'll be rereading as Christmas gets closer. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to bring the essence of Christmas into their own home even if it's before Thanksgiving!

I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to check out this ARC book in exchange for an honest review

[Carlie]

Thank you NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Reading this in the middle of June was nice, I miss holiday season.
Cute intro, I enjoyed the Brenda Lee history. Then, finding the perfect tree which I wouldnt know about as I use the same fake tree every year.
Fun, festive food and cocktail recipes in between pages of stories, facts, tips and tricks. Colourful throughout, christmas cards, christmas songs, stockings, basically chock full of fun stuff and divided in a way where you cannot get bored.
I enjoyed the part where the author suggests asking people how they spend their christmas, hearing about all sorts of different traditions and cultures.

[Molly]

From finding the perfect tree to crafting the perfectly merry ambience, this book, filled with entertaining ideas and delicious treats, will truly have you Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree! Pictures and illustrations are interspersed with instructions for games, fun Christmas trivia, and general Christmas party ideas. And my absolute favorite part of Harper Celebrate's Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree is the retro theme which is so appropriate considering that the book even includes a history of Brenda Lee's song. Whether you are young or old, this book is sure to give you that special Christmas feeling!

I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea]

This book is a delightful and enjoyable resource to reference as the holiday season approaches. My family has always been enthusiastic about Christmas, and reading this has definitely excited me for the festivities ahead. It’s filled with decorating tips, delicious recipes, ideas for hosting parties, gifting suggestions, and even some historical facts about Christmas traditions and the song "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree." It's a fantastic read to help you get into the holiday spirit and explore something new this Christmas!

I would like to thank @Netgalley and @HarperCelebrates for providing me with the advanced copy of #RockinAroundtheChristmasTree in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin Keller]

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
A Festive Guide to Celebrating the Holidays (Recipes, Crafts, and More!) by Harper Celebrate is an absolute delight for anyone who lives for the holiday season. This festive guide is everything I want in a Christmas companion — cozy recipes, clever crafts, and creative ways to make every part of the season feel special. The photography is gorgeous, the instructions are easy to follow, and the vibe is warm, nostalgic, and joyfully extra in all the right ways.

Overall, this is a festive, heartwarming, and beautifully curated guide that I’ll be revisiting every December. A perfect addition to any holiday lover’s bookshelf! 🎄✨

[Melki]

Taking it's cue from the lyrics to Brenda Lee's classic Christmas song, this book presents fun and delicious ways to get the most enjoyment from the holiday season.

The layout is delightful and engaging with fun, cheery graphics mixed with plenty of photos. Yummy-sounding, fairly simple recipes are scattered throughout the book. There are decorating tips, and hints for hosting both holiday parties and family gatherings.

I can't guarantee this how-to guide will make your holidays less stressful, but it's fun to take some time out and dream with this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for sharing.

[Natalie]

This was a fun book! I loved the illustrations and theme of following the song.

I rented this from the library but if I were to find it for a good price I would absolutely buy it. There’s a bunch of recipes for a variety of dishes I’d love to try. I appreciate that it wasn’t all dessert or sweet items, they had a good mix of a little of everything. Very interested in the soup recipe!!

It did a good job of helping me get into the holiday spirits (we’re in September still, I knooooooow).

My only slight concern is the use of AI… I have no way of knowing if AI was (or wasn’t) used. There’s no real author listed, though there is an illustrator which I appreciate.

[Ellen Pilch]

I received a free copy of Harper Celebrate’s Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree in exchange for a fair review.
As you all know, Halloween is my favorite holiday, but Christmas is a fairly close second. Every year we host a party for friends and family so when I saw this title and description, I was eager to read it. The entire book is based on the song and filled with ideas for decorating, gifts and recipes for food and cocktails. A definite must for all those that love Christmas and entertaining.

[Beth]

This book is all you need to get ready for the holidays and to have a stressfree holiday season. No matter what your holiday theme might be this book has games and recipes that will make your parties and holiday events merry and bright. Maybe you want to learn a little more history about your favorite holiday song. This book has you covered. If you love Christmas as much as I do, already counting down the days, you need this book. So get out that ugly Christmas sweater, buy this book and get ready to be merry this Christmas season.

[Teresa Starrett]

I have a confession to make. I listen to instrumental Christmas music year-round. For me, the holiday season is about family, friends and connecting. This book is a great guide to doing just that. Turn on the music and gather your loved ones using the varied ideas presented. Presented in a retro way, songs are used to provide tips on how to celebrate the holiday season. Grab your vinals and begin the songs of the season. You won’t be sorry.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Cat ♡]

This was really cute and useful, is not Christmas yet but soon will be my grandparents wedding anniversary and i will definitely prepare some drinks for here.
I do feel this book clearly gave the information we needed and set me in such a Christmas mood, now i want to do a bingo for my cousins in Christmas eve to relax them before Santa comes.
If you want to get into your Christmas spirit and just start diy and try some dishes before the season completely start i would definitely recommend it.

[Kelly]

Thank you to Harper Celebrate and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

This Holiday party guide is a great gift for the Christmas lovers in your life. It contains beautiful art, yummy recipes, crafts, gift ideas, and many ways to make the spirit bright. Everything in this guide is Christmas-themed, down to the table of contents. The snack recipes are super delicious! The hosting tips and tricks are super helpful! The overall aesthetic and vibe of this book is lovely. If you or someone you know loves to host, this would be a wonderful book to get.

[Robyn]

This was such a cute and fun book! I loved all the fun facts about the Christmas trees, caroling, and the history of little Brenda Lee. This was so detailed and creative. From the Christmas party games, decor and centerpieces, to the delicious pics of all the Christmas trees. I loved the little Christmas song quiz at the end, but my favorite part was how each section went with the lyric to the song.

[Heidi]

This was super cute! I loved that it wasn't just a recipe/cookbook and craft book, but also a history of the Christmas traditions behind them. I had no idea that Brenda Lee was only twelve years old when she originally recorded Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree!

Lots of fun ideas and holiday facts, and the illustrations were darling!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Sarah Taylor]

This was more than just your average holiday cookbook! History behind the song Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, history behind different traditions and way to celebrate them now, tips for party planning, and so much more! This will make the perfect gift for any Christmas lover and definitely got me in the Christmas spirit. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Celebrate for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jess]

This was an epically cute Christmas coffee table style book, packed with history, recipes, tips, and more. I absolutely adored the vintage vibes. With plenty of reference photos, I think this one of greatest ideas for Christmas themed gifts for newly weds or for a holiday house warming gift! Definitely grabbing a few of these for myself and for gifts! Thank you NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for the ARC.

[Isla]

‘Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree’ is the hypotime of a perfect Christmas prep book. The illustrations are bright and colourful. The language is simple. The recipes are perfect for the occasion and have been well thought out in terms of their longevity.

Thank you to #netgalley for this #DRC of #Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree