Book Review Gooseberry Patch Old-Fashioned Country Christmas

Book Review: Gooseberry Patch Old-Fashioned Country Christmas---A holiday keepsake of recipes, traditions, homemade gifts, decorating ideas, favorite childhood memories 

Gooseberry Patch, 1992

Okay, I'm getting a jump on the season, but Christmas is my very favorite time of the year, and you can never have too much time to prepare.  This book will do it.  It will get you in the mood in a minute and the recipes are all treasured keepsakes.  I really like how there is a mixture of quick shortcut recipes, and more involved old-fashioned ones.  There are cookie and candy recipes as well as the savory ones.  I mean, how can you go wrong with Gingerbread Men, Peppermint Candy Ice Cream Pie and Turkey with all the fixin's?

I am a fan of anything Gooseberry.  I like the layouts, the artwork and the treasured ideas inside each one.  My favorite section on this book is the front of the book that includes Celebration traditions and tips or ideas.  Let me share just three I found especially special.  First one is a money-saving idea from Pam Bartholomew. "Every year have a name exchange for your extended family.  Each person makes a gift for the person whose name he/she drew. (Men participate too!). Opening each other's handmade gifts is the highlight of the exchange.  Keep a list of what was made from year to year."  Next is something from the Spirit of Christmas! section.  Laura Monroe contributed this, "I repair and dress old tossed aside dolls and stuffed toys to give to children where needed.  Sometimes it's schools, sometimes it's church or a mission, different ones will ask for help for needy people.  It's a good hobby and my "Christmas" is when the dolls and toys are picked up from my home.  Until they are picked up, I keep them in a doll room, where little girls will sometimes have milk and cookies, but I really think their mothers enjoy the visit most of all."  And last, I will share this from Christmas Traditions section, as it really touched my heart, and it is from Kimberly Burns, "My grandfather would always call us every Christmas morning at 5:30 or 6:00, say "Merry Christmas!" and hang up.  Now, it's a race to see who will be the first one to make the "Merry Christmas" call.  Every year, I try to pick a small craft of some kind to make together with my mom or close friend, to use as package tie-ons  It's nice to sit together and talk about the holidays while doing something fun together."

The very first cookbook by Gooseberry Patch, this coveted, vintage, near-mint copy is available at my online Ebay store, Stoneypine Books & Gifts.  I will put a link here, but it is first come, first served.  If you happen not to be in time to grab this, no fears, I have more wonderful holiday cookbooks available; cookies, crafts and more.