Delaware at Christmas

Name: Delaware at Christmas
Availability: InStock

by DuPont and other local employers, and ubiquitous “Christmas in July” sales among stores in coastal towns.The book’s nostalgic style may not appeal to more academically minded readers, but its upbeat, inclusive approach reflects the holiday season at its joyous best. A major highlight of the book is its use of full\u002Dcolor, festive illustrations and images of photos, paintings, magazine covers, and other holiday ephemera, many of which are in the public domain. Tabler has authored three other works on Delaware history, and he clearly has a firm understanding of the state’s unique place in American culture\u003B he also fruitfully draws on primary source material from more than two dozen of the state’s archives, museums, universities, and historical societies. The work’s only drawback is its oversized back matter, “Chapter Continuations,” which offers additional exposition on the topics in each chapter. This information is often diverting, but the section comprises more than a third of the book’s total length and ultimately makes for a disjointed read. Readers who are looking for a history of Scandinavian Christmas observance, for instance, will not only need to read the book’s opening chapter, but also multiple pages of additional information in the final section that’s longer than the initial chapter itself. Still, despite this editorial misstep, the book is a beautifully crafted and colorful work."

Book Details

Publisher:Delaware starting in the

Published:1600-01-01

Pages:131

Format:paperback

Language:English

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

Delaware at Christmas uncovers the rich and surprising ways Delawareans have celebrated the holiday season across four centuries. From colonial-era customs brought by Swedish, Dutch, and English settlers to modern multicultural observances, this book blends history, folklore, and festive tradition into a vivid portrait of Christmas in the First State. Readers will discover the origins of outdoor Christmas decorations, the rise of the state’s holly wreath industry, and the stories behind local fa

Our Review

This engaging volume uncovers four centuries of Delaware's Christmas celebrations, tracing how Swedish, Dutch, and English settlers shaped early holiday customs that evolved into the state's modern multicultural observances. Readers journey through colonial-era traditions, the surprising origins of outdoor Christmas decorations, and the fascinating rise of Delaware's holly wreath industry. The book masterfully blends historical research with local folklore and festive traditions, creating a vivid portrait of seasonal celebrations unique to the First State.

What distinguishes this work is its ability to make regional history feel immediate and magical, revealing how Delaware's specific cultural heritage created distinctive holiday practices that families still enjoy today. Young historians and Christmas enthusiasts alike will appreciate discovering the stories behind local festivities and understanding how centuries of tradition inform contemporary celebrations. This exploration of Delaware's seasonal heritage offers both educational depth and festive charm that will enrich any family's holiday understanding.

Themes

Social Science

Subjects

Social Science

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