Christmas With Victoria

by Adrienne E. Short, Victoria Magazine (editor)

Offers advice on every aspect of creating a Victorian Christmas atmosphere, from Christmas dinner suggestions to centerpieces and table settings, to gifts and decorations

Genres: Christmas

144 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs one expects from Victoria. I especially liked two suggestions. My favorite was the family tree, full of photographs in small silver frames to use as ornaments. I found some lovely, not very expensive white frames, copied five generations of family members' photos and placed them on a green tree with the addition of gold and silver ball ornaments. It turned out so pretty. I was truly amazed that it was a huge hit with the youngest generation in our family, who all wanted to know the names of each person and how they were related to them. It was so nice to include family members who have passed in our Christmas and to educate our younger generation. The other suggestion was to grow aromatic Paperwhites in bulb vases and place them all around the house. Very easy to do, plus they look beautiful and smell divine. Unfortunately for me this book is heavier on recipes than on decorations; although, there are some pretty table settings, trees, wreaths, and gift wrapping ideas.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visually much like the Victoria magazine of that era (1997), with many of the same photographers (Toshi Otsuki heading that list). Considerably less editorializing than the magazine, however; while there are a few pages of meandering prose here and there, most of the book is instructions, either for crafty stuff (wreaths, pomanders, ornaments, forcing bulbs), or recipes. I've only tried one recipe, for mapled brussels sprouts, which was a hit even with some who aren't much for brussels sprouts.