This was a fun and informative book full of tons of ideas for recreating an authentic Victorian Christmas in one's home. I found it very satisfying that the author was a self-taught housewife taken seriously enough in 1981 that her personal research qualified her to work with many publications and organizations related to her areas of interest. Try doing that without a degree nowadays, 21st century ladies! Feminism causes REgression...not progression.

Here are a few fun takeaways:

---The Wonder Ball gift was a neat idea where one winds yarn into a ball, enclosing several small gifts after so many wraps around, so that when the recipient gets the ball and begins using it, little gifts fall out as she knits.

---I thought it was interesting that they used gilded popcorn as trimming for wall hangings. That's extreme creativity and resourcefulness right there!

---I love the 1879 Christmas harp craft idea on page 33. Definitely going to have to do that one.

---What I thought were wreath balls hanging outside the florist's shop in Yorkshire (2015 trip) were actually kissing balls! Neat!

---The origin of the Putz house is Amish. I'm obsessed with Putz houses...and I'm obsessed with the Amish!

---I loved the description on page 85 about how to get roses to rebloom for just one day. Very awesome.

This is a special kind of book that I think is made less and less these days. I'm excited to have it in my collection and I'm sure I'll reference it many times in the future. ( )