With earnest sentimentality, Old Christmas by the prolific author
Washington Irving spreads a simple message of joy as it provides a
descriptive narrative on the traditions, origins, and miscellaneous
details of the celebration of an English Christmas. Separated into five
parts, Old Christmas begins with Christmas, a reflection on the
holiday's origins and meaning. Next, The Stage-Coach follows the
speaker, Geoffrey Crayon, as he travels with children to Bracebridge
Hall, a country estate, to celebrate the holiday. Christmas Eve
details the events after his arrival to the manor, and begins the
description of holiday traditions, including the old practices that
Crayon preferred as well as the new traditions younger generations had
adopted. Continuing to describe and compare the Christmas customs,
Christmas Day examines and explores the celebration of the actual
holiday, taking advantage of the preparations made nearly a month in
advance. Finally, Old Christmas finishes with the decadent feast of
Christmas day, including specifics on what they ate and how it was
prepared. With a complete description of an English celebration of the
beloved holiday, Old Christmas creates a lively and intimate portrait
of a 19th century Christmas.
Published in 1876, Washington Irving's Old Christmas has become a
tradition itself, as it treats audiences with a serene and cozy reading
experience perfect for the holidays. While comparing Christmas
traditions both new and old, and mapping how they've changed over time,
Irving reveals treasured details of a 19th Century Christmas
celebration, and inadvertently invites modern audiences to compare their
customs to those portrayed so fondly in Old Christmas.
This edition of Washington Irving's Old Christmas features a striking
new cover design and is reprinted in an easy-to-read font, restoring the
classic literary work to modern standards while holding respect for the
original. With these accommodations Old Christmas is the perfect
companion for contemporary readers during the holiday season.