One Man's Christmas

by Leon Hale

Leon Hale’s well-known gift for touching the humanity in all of us finds the ideal subject in this personal recollection of Christmases he has known throughout his life. Originally published in 1984 and long out of print, One Man’s Christmas highlights the warmth and humor for which this legendary writer is so beloved. Whether Hale is scrambling to put together a new toy for his children on Christmas Eve, racing around to buy last minute, often misguided gifts, or reliving his family’s fraught holiday on a hardscrabble sheep farm during the Great Depression, the unique sensibility that has endeared him to generations of readers shines through every word. These are stories to savor by oneself or to read out loud to loved ones of all ages during the holiday season, when we discover again in our own memories the reasons why this time of year is so special.

Genres: Christmas

72 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2015

About the author

Leon Hale was an American journalist and author. He worked as a columnist for the Houston Chronicle from 1984 until his retirement in 2014. Before that, he had a column in the Houston Post for 32 years. He was the author of twelve books.

Reviews

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

The old axiom tells us that "good things come in small packages." Nowhere is that more true than in this delightful collection of Christmas memories.

Leon Hale was apparently a well known author, though this is my first encounter with his work. These short essays are filled with the warmth and holiday cheer of Christmases past. Whether he is recalling the depression Christmases of his childhood, telling his readers about his efforts to put toys together for his kids, or discussing those Christmas gift purchases that aren't really so perfect, his humanity shows through in every line.

It will only take you a few minutes to read this short collection, but this little book will stay in your heart for many Christmases to come.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Man's Christmas is a collection of old columns with a Christmas theme by Houston Chronicle columnist Leon Hale. I chose it because it's a book club theme but who wouldn't enjoy reading about the hard times our parents and grandparents experienced in their childhood Christmases?

[Kayrene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this sweet little book in the yearly book sale at Rosenberg Library, Galveston, TX. (A signed copy). What a wonderful little group of stories from his life. Really takes you back to simpler Christmas's and simple wants. Lots of lessons in this book. Just a treasure to hold and read. I will keep it always.

[Andrea Renfrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year I clear off the coffee table, pull the Christmas books out of the closet, and pile them there in the living room. Just from the Friday after Thanksgiving through the Epiphany. Most of them are children's picture books, some of them are small novel or short story collections about the season. One of them is this little book of personal essays by Leon Hale. I love this little book. It's so Texas. It's perfect for morning coffee when the cool air of Decmeber is wafting in through the open doors stirring up the scent from our live Christmas tree. I didn't grow up liking Christmas, my mom loved the season aggressively, but I'm trying to build habits and traditions within it that bring me joy and redeem the holiday for me. Leon Hale helps bring the cozy back to the season.

[Printable Tire]

A mere whiff of a book, but something charming and certainly old-timey about it. My favorite stories/vignettes are the last three: "Christmas Poker" (fortune teller tells story about a gentle con), "A Five-Footer with a Bad Side" (as an adult rushing home to spend one last Christmas with aging parents) and "Miracles out of a '22 Chevy" (miserable Depression farm warmed up by dad returning home with gifts and good cheer).

Includes a recipe for sweet potato pie, a pie I coincidentally purchased for the first time shortly before reading this.

[Betsy Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read a book in an hour before. This is actually a collection of 8 super short recollections, not even full stories. They are reminiscent of things that many have seen during the holidays. Great selection for our Book Club during the very busy month of December.

[Rachel {bibliopals} · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 short stories of his past Christmas memories. Thought my husband and parents would enjoy.