Victoria, a Woman's Christmas: Returning to the Gentle Joys of the Season

Presentation and mood are paramount in this small volume of holiday ideas and inspirations. The book is divided into four chapters titled Cheer, Comfort, Joy and Grace, which correspond loosely to Decorating, Feeding, Celebrating and Taking Time for Oneself. With the exception of several recipes (Chocolate Truffles, Raspberry Sorbet) and a couple of handicrafts (Rosemary Pomander, Gift Baskets), specific suggestions like setting an elegant table and otherwise matching wits with the expectations of the season, are buried in the atmospheric narrative. Attentive readers, however, will be rewarded with examples of how to transform the ordinary into the seasonally special, whether by freezing cranberries in ice cubes for drinks or playfully arranging a herd of gingerbread reindeer in the center of the table. Lots of pictures (of place settings, rooms and gifts), poetry excerpts and blank pages for jotting down personal notations fill out the volume. (Oct.)