Product Description
Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the words and tunes of Christmas carols run through our heads, cheering us on and reminding us of the joys of celebrating with friends and family. These beloved songs are the theme for this book, a wonderful collection of craft, cooking, and decorating ideas. The fun starts with “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” a project based on the memorable gifts presented in the song. “Deck the Halls” focuses on using holly in unusual centerpieces and decorations. And whether they listen to Bing Crosby crooning in the background or create their own chorus, families will enjoy preparing a classic “White Christmas” aglow with white decorations and featuring white foods. As always, color photographs and clear directions make every project a joy to create. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Love it!
I love all the MS stuff! Usually a great mix of beautiful interiors, crafts, and food ... food not my
personal favorite .. if you like Martha, you will love all her books.

decking the halls, Martha style
The beauty of this book is in the colors; celebrating the Christmas spirit with exquisite combinations of creamy winter whites, blues, and golden yellows.
The ideas for ornaments, wreaths, and ingenuous ways to wrap money as a gift, are not slap-dash "quickies", but designs for objects that would be kept and enjoyed for many seasons to come. Standouts include the gorgeous Damask stockings, made from vintage fabrics, the wonderful fruit wreath in warm pastels, and my favorite, the "Ladies dancing and lords a-leaping" strung across the fireplace.

The recipes are sumptuous and shown in elegant settings, and very special is the sheet music that has the look of antique reproductions, of many familiar carols.
In the back of the volume there are templates for the many craft objects in the book, making the construction of them simpler, though you will obviously need a scanner and printer if you want to vary the size of the items, and many look like one would want to enlarge them.
As one would expect from Martha, the photography and layout is excellent, with thick, glossy pages. Even if one does not follow the patterns or recipes to the letter, it is a good "idea" book, and it's strength is its subtle color palette, used to great effect.

Pass On This One. There are better books.
Try Carolyn Bell's book, Gooseberry Patch Old-Fashioned Country Christmas: A Holiday Keepsake of Recipes, Traditions, Homemade Gifts, Decorating Ideas & Favorite Childhood by Vickie Hutchins or the wonderful Gooseberry Patch series of books which are delightful.I always love the Gooseberry books.

Too Hard To Make The Crafts
I tried a few and it took hours to do.I guess I need the staff she has on her show.I think you can do better.

You'll never fake your way through carols again!!!
Though the piano music is not useful for me (don't have a piano), I like seeing the acutal words to the Christmas songs, and believe their presentation in the book, with burnished corners and pretty fonts, greatly enhances the product. As for the crafts that go with these traditional songs, they are a joy to behold, and not all that difficult or time consuming to make.

Martha's books are by far better a product than her "By Mail" or "Catalogue for Living" kits, so if you're interested in putting out some money to have beautifully elegant Christmas decorations like her own, go with the book and assemble your own materials. ... Read more

Product Description
Enrich Your Family Christmas with Time-honored Traditions

Explore bountiful pages of Christmas crafts, decorating ideas, and delicious recipes, colorfully photographed and carefully detailed to help you create lasting Christmas memories.

Huddled with loved ones around a cozy kitchen table, the aromas of pine and gingerbread filling your senses, you share the cookie-baking, handcrafting, and gift-wrapping pleasures you have come to cherish. These are the traditions that warm your heart; the traditions you hope will build lasting memories for your children and theirs for many years to come.

Recapture those precious holiday moments and make your Christmas even more memorable with the many inspiring ideas in Traditional Christmas Two. Browse through page after page of Christmas crafting and decorating projects to lavish your home with festive holiday spirit. Enjoy tantalizing recipes for Christmas treats, photographed with such lifelike clarity you can taste them with your eyes. See how easily you can:

- Make handcrafted ornaments and gifts to delight your loved ones. Enjoy being creative, and show them how much you care.
- Set a festive holiday table, featuring table linens and stunning floral arrangements you make yourself.
- Craft unique Christmas accessories to decorate your home.
- Make a skirt for the tree, stockings for the mantel or an elf for the table.

Treat your family and friends to delicious appetizers, cookies, anddesserts. They will beg you for the recipes.Traditional Christmas Two is packed with exciting projects and recipes, all explained with step-by-step simplicity to turn holiday crafting and cooking into traditions you will love to keep. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

the recipes are scrumptious!
I highly reccomend this book to the Mom on the go, busy working peoplelike myself, and people who love great christmas treats and beautifuldecorations!Its fun, easy and even good for the kids!

Excellent Buy-Unbelievable Ideas
This book provides the reader with so many wonderful ideas that can beused at Christmas and many other times throughout the year.It iscomprehensive and covers Tree Decorations, House Decorations, The HolidayTable, Appetizers, Beverages, Snacks, Cookies, Desserts and Gifts from theKitchen.All that in one book.It is a great buy!!!

Easy crafts and home decorating
'Twas the month before Christmas and all through my house not a decoration was hanging not even a ...wreath.And I at my craft magazines thumbing madly through, I picked up this book wiped my brow and said, "whew!" Then what to my craft making eyes should appear but a cute little stocking with an appliqued deer... happy crafting to all and to all a good night! ... Read more

Product Description
A collection of seasonal craft ideas offers an entertaining and affordable assortment of easy-to-make holiday decorations and wearables, featuring step-by-step instructions and full-color photos. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Christmas Crafts & Entertaining is an impressivecombination of recipes, decorating ideas and quick craft projects thatadd to the excitement of the holidays. The book contains over 80easy-to-make ideas, from projects so simple that all instructions fiton one page to more complex creations, like quilted placemats. Included are instructions for making colorful centerpieces andattractive table settings that add to the festive feel, as well astasty recipes for creating all kinds of flavorful holiday foods.Acomplete collection of festive holiday foods and fanfare, ChristmasCrafts & Entertaining is filled with original and classic holidaydecorating ideas, as well as appealing recipes and serving suggestionsfor fabulous holiday foods. Christmas Crafts & Entertaining containseverything you need to create a special home for the holidays.

Highlights:Covers a wide range of difficulty levels-from simple stencils to more complicated projects, like quilted placemats.Contains decorating craft ideas ideas for everything from the front door to the table, such as wreaths, table linens, centerpieces and other festive accessories. Includes recipes for mouth-watering breakfasts,appetizers, side dishes, breads and desserts like candies, cakes and cookies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

BORING!!!
I WAS VERY DISSAPPOINTED IN THIS BOOK!IT IS THE SAME OLD THING PACKAGED A DIFFERENT WAY.NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN.

Creative and Innovative
A very good crafts book to have on hand. Many of the ideas presented can be adapted to other holidays and religious events. Besides crafting for home decorating, the crafts are of a grand quality to present as gifts. The directions are clear and what I appreciated most: a list of materials/items needed to complete a project. Additional pages provide tips that can be applied to other tasks/projects and condensed to one page for easy reference.The pictures provide the extra info you need when you are not comfortable with the written instructions.I recommend this book as one to keep on the shelf and when you need that quick gift, decoration or idea, just reach for this one! ... Read more

Product Description
Making Hanukkah candles is a perfect way to introduce or strengthen the family holiday tradition. This new addition to our popular line of book-plus kits comes complete with enough beeswax sheets and wicks needed to create 44 candles for the eight nights of Hanukkah, plus glitter to decorate the candles, and a beautiful box to hold them. The 48-page book contains a history of Hanukkah, directions for making and lighting the candles, prayers in Hebrew and English, and recipes, songs, and crafts to celebrate the Festival of Lights ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not enough supplies to complete the project
My family of five sat down with this kit for a fun afternoon of candle-making.We were very disappointed to discover that, despite the package's claim of "everything you need to make eight nights of lights," there was only enough string to make wicks for about 12 candles! (You need 44 candles for all 8 nights of Hanukkah.) My three children (ages 4,6,and 8) and my husband and I were really looking forward to this activity.Because of the lack of adequate supplies, as well as the brittleness of the wax, it turned out to be a huge waste of money and expectations.Until the company fixes the supply problem, I would not recommend this product.Good potential, so that's why I gave it 2 stars and not 1.

Hanukkah Candle Kit a Hit with my Kids!
We celebrated the first night of Hanukkah using Mr. Abramson's Hanukkah Candle Kit with our 11, 7 and 5 year old sons. Our boys thoroughly enjoyed making their own Hanukkah candles supplied in the kit. The instructions were easy to follow and the materials were fun for them to work with. I was concerned that there might not be enough wick material for 44 candles (based off of another reviewer). I e-mailed the publisher (www.runningpress.com) and was told they would send me additional wick material if I needed it. Our kids could not wait to light their just made candles and recite the Hanukkah prayer. It was truly a fun and creative way for our kids to celebrate Hanukkah. Thank you Mr Abramson for putting together this wonderful kit and book!

Not enough supplies
This is a charming idea and is a great project to do with kids (you do have to take care with the beeswax and soften it between your hands before you roll the candles). I did it at school with my daughter's 2nd grade class but was so disappointed to find that there was not nearly enough wick to make 44 candles! For nearly 20 dollars this was a serious shortcoming, as the labeling says in several places it has "everything you need!"

Good book but horrible craft
The book had interesting information but the wax was brittle and there was not nearly enough wick material to make 44 candles my children almost 5 and 3 were incredibly disappointed as was I - be sure to buy candles from elsewhere because these are miserable! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good Food Good Ideas
I have most of the books in this series and each one is a delight. Full of ideas for making the gifts you give really stand out. When I make something from one of these books I always take the recipe with me.. I know I will beasked for it! The only draw back is that some of the recipes call forseveral ingredients and unless you have a well stocked pantry it can be atad costly. However do not let that stop you. These books are a greatsource of inspitation and ideas. ... Read more

Product Description
In the same winning format as the popular Halloween Treats, Christmastime treats offers a magical array of recipes and craft projects for the whole family. Fun decorations such as Little Keepsake Ornaments and a Starry Night Luminaria help little ones and grownups get in the spirit of things, while Advent Surprises and a Kissing Bouquet put a new twist on traditional holiday customs. Here are recipes for scrumptious treats like Snow White Bunnies and Hot Chocolate Heaven, plus menus for an array of holiday meals. With Christmastime Treats, families can create new holiday traditions and memories to last for many Christmastimes to come.Amazon.com Review
Countless books detail holiday projects for the dedicated crafter, buthere's a title that encourages the whole family to get involved in Christmastime baking and decorating. Helpful tips on cooking and crafting with kids make it easy to get started, and many of the craft projects require only minimal adult supervision. Whip up a whole host of ornaments, garlands, cards, and wrappings using such easy-to-use items as salt dough, aluminum foil, and bright magazine clippings. Delight little Santa's helpers with kid-friendly nibbles like chocolate crispy bears or smiley-face pancakes, and surprise grown-up guests with a Yule log cake or chocolate-peppermint swizzle sticks. Full directions are given for all craft and food items, including enough recipes for a full Christmas dinner. One minor drawback, especially for children: most of the crafts are not pictured, so crafters may have difficulty visualizing the finished product. But there are enough color photos to give a general impression of the projects, making Christmastime Treats fun for everyone. --AmyHandy ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

reader from New York City
I've bought a couple of the other books in this series and I have to say that this one was a total diappointment. The crafts in this book were just so ordinary. I was hoping for some unique crafting ideas but only got some projects that I probably did as a Brownie or Girl Scout. Not worth the money.

Christmastime Treats: by Sara Perry
Another winner from Sara Perry! I'm giving this to all my young friends with children, and to the grandparent set as well. The crafts are easy to make, and the recipes are rewarding in every way. Fun to make, fun to eat!Sara's well thought out recipes, and step by step craft instructions setthis book apart from the rest.

Help arrived just in the nick of time!
This book was so helpful to me as a full time working mother with a 7 year old daughter. The crafts were simple to do, yet looked like we had spent days in the making.What more could a mother want! My daughter lovedmaking the easy decoupage christmas balls almost as much as my in-lawsloved receiving them. The candy land house was our schools answer to thedreded gingerbread house (the frame is made from a six pack carboardcontainer) I cheer the author who can put together such a well written& workable book. In closing I am off to the kitchen to whip up one ofthe fabulous recipes! I would say wish me luck, but I have confidence inthe Snow White Bunnies being the perfect answer. ... Read more

Product Description
Make every Christmas a cookie craft Christmas! The holidays offer just the right combination of cold weather and family togetherness for cookie crafters to elevate their skills to showstopping new heights. With more than 60 new Christmas cookie designs, along with festive New Year’s cookies and lovely Hanukkah treats, Cookie Craft Christmas delivers colorful inspiration to cookie decorators just when they need it most.

Each spread features a full-page, close-up photograph of one cookie cutter shape with detailed decorating instructions on the facing page. Some pages feature one gloriously decorated cookie, while others might feature two or three interpretations of the same shape — ornaments in complementary colors, Christmas trees decorated in varying styles, or gingerbread men wearing a rainbow of colors and patterns.

Decorating instructions are as simple as tinting cookie dough green before baking Christmas trees or as intricate as piping hair on a gingerbread grandma, creating a frilly pattern for her apron, and decorating her dress using a pretty feathering technique. Techniques are described in full in a Decorating Glossary, and cookie and icing recipes are included.

Fresh inspiration and fabulous decorating ideas fill the pages of this handy little sourcebook. It’s the perfect gift for anyone who has ever picked up a pastry bag.

Publisher's Note: 

The chart on page 17 gives ingredient quantities for making royal icing with meringue powder. Please note that you should use only 4 teaspoons of meringue powder for 2 cups of confectioners' sugar in both the piping and the flooding recipes. (The table incorrectly gives the meringue powder quantity as 4 tablespoons.) This will be corrected in reprints of the book.

Customer Reviews (13)

Cookie Craft Christmas
Nice book with many ideas. A book I will enjoy for many year. Nice addition to my collection.

small but inspiring book
This book is a must have for cooking decorating.I got lots of great ideas.From how to set up my work area and tools to unusual but beautiful color combinations.

just the perfect book for decorating cookies
This book is just what i was looking for.Simple, with easy explanations and amazing ideas for cookies. It's just the answer to all my questions about cookie decorating for Christmas. The authors are quite generous and humble not only sharing their recipes but their desing ideas. Great little book, it made me orderCookie Craft: From Baking to Luster Dust, Designs and Techniques for Creative Cookie Occasions days after, and i'm excited for the next cookie baking time.

Thank you Valarie and Janice for another amazing book......
I have so many post-it note flags in this book! I was so inspired (see customer images) I had to share my photos!! I am a beginner at this, I have been watching Martha Stewart do it for years, but really needed a book like this to get my groove on, LOL! Thank you Valarie and Janice for the much needed inspiration.

To all you busy moms out there, it is not impossible to make gorgeous cookies. Follow the directions of this wonderful book (small but mighty) and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish! I have 6 kids underfoot, and was able to decorate over 150 cookies as gifts this Christmas. I didn't buy any gifts or go to the mall, I just got in the kitchen with this book and went for it. I took 1 day to bake, and the next to decorate. Next year I will start earlier. They keep well in clear favor bags sold at craft stores, with a pretty ribbon of your choice to close the top. Hope you find this book as inspirational as I did! :)

good decorating book
Explains how to decorate many types of Christmas cookies.I wish it had more recipes using buttercream icing and less with royal icing.I think buttercream tastes better. ... Read more

Product Description
Helping readers to revive the honored traditions that have always been cherished and create exciting new ways to enjoy the holidays even more, this idea- and photo-filled holiday volume shows them how to decorate their homes beautifully, create attractive Christmas crafts and gifts, and cook festive, memorable meals and treats. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Traditional Christmas is Wonderful
This is one of the best Christmas books I have ever found.There is a second one called Traditional Christmas Two that is also very good. They have everything from decoration crafts and ideas to gifts that you can make to recipies for those holiday meals and intertaining.I had both books and lost them in a move and did not rest until I managed to replace them.They are great!

excellent variety, something for everyone
I love this book.It has something for everybody. Even people who don't think of themselves as crafty will enjoy this book. And there are so many fun things in it that I have found something that I didn't notice beforeeverytime I look through the book.And it has different skill levels too. There are projects you can do with the kids, or if you are ambitious, thereare detailed christmas villages you can make.Even the recipes for holidaycooking are fun and easy.If you want a good all inclusive book for theholidays this is the one.Another book I would recommend for the holidaysis "Old-Fashioned Christmas Favorites".It has great traditionsand recipes that are old time favorites that may have been forgotten.

Very Nice Book
Beautiful photographs.Instructions are easy to follow and supplemented with photographs.I was disappointed that the recipes emphasize use of the microwave oven.(We have opted not to have a microwave oven). They don'tgive parallel instructions for conventional ovens.Otherwise a great book. Everything from traditional to creative new crafts.I'm glad I bought it.

Great Christmas projects that are low cost and fun to do!
This book contains great ideas for christmas decorating, gifts, and cooking.Most of the projects are very easy to do and use things that you already have around the house, or from recycled material.This is a great book ... Read more

Product Description
Williams-Sonoma American Christmas features eight regionally inspired holiday menus with over 60 recipes, highlighting holiday occasions coast-to-coast, from a snowy New England farmhouse to a tranquil California Wine Country kitchen. With gorgeous color photography and a friendly tone, it also provides scores of creative staging and decorating ideas for the busy host, including easy table settings, lovely centerpieces, and gifts from the Christmas kitchen. Williams-Sonoma American Christmas demystifies holiday entertaining with ease and warmth.

Key Features:

* Beautiful full-color photography shows everyrecipe as a finished dish, plus key preparation, cooking, and serving techniques

* Over 60 delicious recipes, including ideas for holiday beverages

* Easy-to-follow timelines for party preparation ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good for the Holidays, Good for any other Time
Obviously this is a cookbook for the holiday season. That being said, leafing through it, I saw some things I wanted to try straightaway, like Toasted Coconut Thumbprint Cookies on page 38 and the Cranberry Chutney on page 56 and the Tangerine Curd on page 51. All these were gorgeous and divine.

But this book isn't only about dessert. The Roasted Shrimp with Black Pepper and Thyme on page 66 is sumptuously scrumptious and it goes well with the Sauteed Mushroom Salad on the opposite page. Turn the page and you get the Salt and Fennel Roasted Pork Loin and let me tell you, Hubby Dub love, love, loved it. I did, too. So don't be put off by the "Christmas" in the title, you can use this book all year round.

I found this cookbook a while back, while touristing off in beautiful Laguna Beach in sunny Southern California. I spotted a sign for an estate sale. Hubby Dub never likes to go to these, he hates garage sales too, likewise thrift stores, but I poked him in the arm, he made a U turn and I discovered a soul who really liked to cook, sadly she'd passed away before I got to meet her. She had dozens and dozens of cookbooks, many of which I already had, but I discovered some gems. I made a lot of meals from them and, as usual, I took notes, which usually consists of me writing in the margins by the the recipes. I love cooking. Hubby Dub loves eating, I do, too. I hope you do as well and I hope you enjoy my reviews here.

Very Pleasant... Some recipes not to my taste
Williams-Sonoma makes a quality cookbook, and this is no exception. Food is well photographed and recipes have colored pictures. The layout is nice, featuring sections for every sort of taste.

I am giving this book 4 instead of 5 stars, because the selection of recipes were at times a little "out there."Particularly "Great Lakes Christmas Breakfast" with whose highlights include: beet and apple salad, radish salad, Kugelhopf and Gravlax. Erk.

I admit I'd much rather see more mainstream recipes including turkey, stuffing, and different family-friendly desserts. There were a few...But nothing that was really a keeper.

4 stars ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (15)

Beautifully Done!
This is a lovely book, filled with recipes, crafts, and beautiful pictures!For crafts: the directions are simple and concise.The recipes are easy to make with readily available ingredients.I would definitely buy this one if you love crafts and cooking.I'm hoping to see more of these specials editions.

Lots and lots of ideas and recipes!
This book is chock full of recipes and ideas.I'm sure I'll use a few of them.The seller sent it very quickly and it was in almost new condition.Great value.

I love this book !
I love this book ! I got it before thanksgiving and it is so beautiful to look at . This is a great gift giver for the person who really likes to cook and really make things festive !

I HAD to have this book
I saw this in Michael's and had to have it!Found it here on amazon for a much better price...great book overall with wonderful recipes and craft ideas.

Excellent Cookbook/Excellent Condition
I had seen this book at a friends house prior to purchasing. The book is hardback with a spiral binder which makes the recipes easy to read when in use. Recipes include cookies,cakes, desserts, veggies, meats and more,that not only sounded yummy, but were yummy!!!Pictures are colorful and helpful. For those who are into crafts there are easy suggestions for holidays. For the little ones there are ideas for them too! This is the first Goosebeery Patch book I have ever purchased,and I am extremely happy with it.Besides all of the items mentioned above. The book itself was brand new (came in its original packaging) and was about half the retail price! What a great buy!!! ... Read more

Product Description
101 Ways to Create an Old-Fashioned Christmas This Year!A New Twist on Holiday Traditions...Are you looking for a new way for your family to celebrate this holiday season?Instead of celebrating the commercialized, television-driven way, why not create an old-fashion Christmas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Filled with things to do and make
Just 24 Days Till Christmas is a combination recipe, story, and activities book filled with things to do and make for each of the twenty-four days leading up to Christmas. MyLinda Butterworth has created a kind of 212-page advent calendar that parents can use to create Christmas traditions with their children, individuals can share seasonal comraderies with friends, and teachers can draw upon for classroom activities. From Cinnamon Crunch Nuts and German Chocolate Pie, the recipes are nutritious and delicious. From holiday banner decorations to Christmas ornaments for birds, the crafts-based activities are totally entertaining. The stories are inspiring and engaging. Just 24 Days Till Christmas is a welcome addition to any family, school or community library Christmas celebration ideas and references collection.

24 days of fun and food!
A wealth of information and holiday excitement!This delightful book isstuffed full of wonderful ideas and delicious easy to prepare recipes.Itis a must have for all teachers and mothers of young children.I LOVED IT!Carol Elaine Powell, author of Along the Way ... Read more