Reviews (6)

A winner.
CHRISTMAS WITH SOUTHERN LIVING 2006 (0848731158, $29.95) isn't strictly a cookbook, though recipes are its core: it combines menus and time-saving holiday plans as well as party ideas with dishes which lend to entertainment and family gatherings. Many are fast, easy editor's picks, with chapters handily divided by type of entertainment: brunch buffet, office party, dinner party, and the like. A winner.
Not Up To Snuff
Like many of you, I collect these books year after year.This year was very disappointing.The book really is mainly recipes.I don't buy them for that, although the few I try are good. I buy this book mainly for the decorating and gift ideas.This year the book is really lacking in them.In years past they've shown how to decorate the outside of your house, the mantle, the table, and just about anywhere in a house that you could put a decoration.This year you basically have one mantle.That's it.Sorry, this book had me saying to myself, "I paid full price for this!!"
Christmas with Southern Living 2006
I love this book! I give to my 3 girls as well. I have gotten this book almost every year since it was first published. It has decorating suggestions, crafts, recipes and just all kinds of information to make your Christmas the best ever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Regional Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Entertaining - General    5. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    6. Holiday - General    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - Southern States    8. Seasonal   

Reviews (3)

The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas
This is the first recipe book I ever sat down and read from cover to cover.It has become one of my Christmas traditions, and one I share with friends and family by giving it as a gift. The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas
This is the first recipe book I ever sat down and read from cover to cover.It has become one of my Christmas traditions, and one I share with friends and family by giving it as a gift. A great Christmas cookbook -- Not just your standard meals
This book takes you through the history and traditions of Christmas, with full meals illustrated.My favorites - The crown roast of pork, with sausage stuffing.Favorite side dishes include brussels sprouts withbalsamic vinegar and baked onions.A great read, and a must-have for theholidays. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Frugal gourmet (Television pro    6. Holiday    7. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah   

Editorial Review

Miniature houses have an undeniable appeal, especially when they're made out of food. But the architectural achievements in this guide are so charming and sometimes so elaborate that it's hard to imagine actually eating them; they're meant to be admired, not devoured. From rustic to royal, humble to ornate, this eclectic assortment ranges from cooking-school complex to child-simple. Some were even designed by kids and could certainly be constructed by them. (Just be sure to buy extra trimmings, since the budding architects are bound to do some nibbling!)Read more

Reviews (11)

I'll keep it but only as a supplement to better books
This book has pictures of some really cool ideas, and pictures of some less-cool ideas. It also has several basic recipes and some general building information, but it isn't very detailed. Most frustrating are the pictures of houses that have only one or two pictures and little or no information about some of the most interesting design details!
Really disappointing
If you are seeking the inside secrets to gingerbread artistry, don't expect much from this book.This book doesn't even begin to cover the many gingerbread/food techniques currently available -- and that home builders can use -- which mimic real-life or fantasy -- building structures and contents.I thought that many of the instructions shown were too simple and general -- the reader deserved to read more details, more inside information on how to work with food items to create effects -- especially since the author is a pastry chef! The book's description also promises photos of the Grove Park Inn's gingerbread competition entries.But if you expect to see the competition's top of the line entries featuring incredible details, don't. I looked forward to receiving this book.I'm sorry I bought it.

Artistic, Excellent Photography, Good Variety!
Highly recommend for your baking library!Lots of great ideas, good instructions, basic templates but lots of room for your own personal taste.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    4. Methods - Baking    5. Seasonal    6. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft    7. Cooking / Seasonal    8. Desserts    9. Food & drink / cookery: general interest    10. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB   

Reviews (1)

A definate Must Buy for Christmas Crafters!
SOOO creative~!!It's worth buying just to see the section on Whimsical Christmas.The homemade gifts, complete with instructions on how to make ADORABLE giftwrap is easy and unique enough to look professionally made.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    6. Holiday - General    7. Seasonal   

Reviews (4)

Incredible recipies
This is one of my favorite cookbooks, it contains many of my favorite deserts such as the Italian cream cake ,Coconut-Chocolate-Almond Cheesecake,Chocolate Truffle Cake,etc.. I also love the fact that the author included lots of color photos giving visual cooks like myself an idea of what the finished product should look like. For those who are tired of making the same boring holiday meals,I would definitely encourage you to buy this cookbook.

So Living Christmas cookbook
Outstanding!A true 5 Starr book.It has been several years sine they have had a totally all Christmas cookbook and this one is great.

Christmas is Coming
Great Christmasideas for both family and entertaining.Lots of new ideas with easy to follow directions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    5. Holiday - General    6. Holidays - Christmas    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - Southern States   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (7)

GREAT book!!!
I absolutely LOOOOVE this book. Not only is it beautiful, but the ideas are very easily implemented.
Shallow book like the author
There are better Christmas books on decorating and entertaining.

The most beautiful christmas book!
I can see this book is not new. It is to me, and I find is very inpirational! I use it every year for Christmas, for getting the house ready, for baking, for decorating and setting the tables, for ideas on how to use my plates, bowls and dishes in different ways, for altering things I already own into new settings - Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas decorations    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    9. Seasonal    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal   

Reviews (14)

The perfect holiday book
I bought this book when I first discovered Susan Branch books. I loved it so much I gave it to all my sisters and sisters-in-law. They have all used it as a reference during the holidays and even through out the year.I have given this book to so many others as well and they all love the book. I can only state that this book stands up with all the Susan Branch products and is wonderful and so useful.

A Wonderful Gift!
This book is so charming!I received it as a gift from a dear friend many years ago and I re-read it every Christmas!Recipes, ideas, and holiday thoughts pulled together with Susan Branch's truly unique artistry make this a favorite.

A beautiful holiday treasure!
No matter what else is going on, this book is a wonderful holiday "pick-me-up".You will feel instantly more "Christmasy" after looking through it.I keep it on my coffee table throughout the holiday season.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas decorations    3. Cookery    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Entertaining    7. General    8. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    9. Reference    10. Christmas books    11. Cooking / Reference    12. General cookery    13. Handicrafts   

Reviews (1)

Full of New Ideas!
I'm addicted to Christmas books & magazines, so I wasn't sure if I'd really find anything new or unique in this book.This is the first Gooseberry Patch book I've ever looked through, so I can't comment on how it compares with other G.P. editions, but I did find many cute and clever craft ideas and recipes that were new to me.One idea I plan to try is the Framed Hankie Card Holder that uses a wood frame and 3 Christmas-themed hankies to create pockets to hold received cards (sounds odd, but it's cute).Other ideas I liked for my home using red & white fabrics and holiday-themed tea towels include a Quilt, Tea Towel Gift Bags, Table Runner & Chair Back Covers.A clever gift for kids to make is a covered chip can filled with chocolate-dipped potato chips (the kind of chips that all have the same shape and line up in a tall can).Lots of snowflake-themed gifts, a few pet gifts, wrapping and card ideas.Plus, there are dozens of great, new recipes for food gifts, holiday meals and entertaining (hot drink mixes, decadent desserts, soups, and some new side dish combinations). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating - General    6. Entertaining - General    7. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    8. Seasonal   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (10)

The best Betty Crocker cookbook yet.
This is a very beautiful cookbook. I love the photos in it. At the end of the book is recipes you can cook and make for gifts. Toward the front of the book is a "Olive Appetizer Tree" that would be great for parties.
Zero review...seller never sent the book
This book never came....we are still waiting for it. Can't review a book we don't have. We are hoping that Amazon will refund our money...way too much time has passed! We are very disappointed!
Mouthwatering Entertaining Delights!
Some of my friends give me strange looks for having a "Christmas" cookbook in my kitchen all year round, that is until they sample some of the things that I have made out of it! Many of the cookies in this book lend themselves particularly well to being assembled into food gifts for the holidays.
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Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    5. Holiday - General    6. Cooking / Holiday    7. General cookery   

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Christmas    3. Christmas cookery    4. Christmas decorations    5. Cookery    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Crafts & Hobbies    8. Entertaining - Party Planning    9. Hobbies/Crafts    10. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    11. Seasonal    12. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal   

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Christmas cookery    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cookery    5. Cooking    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    8. Seasonal    9. Cooking / Courses & Dishes / General   

Editorial Review

With the infectious enthusiasm of a kid on Christmas morning, Mario Batali--who presides over a culinary empire that includes the popular Food Network television show Read more

Reviews (6)

Fabulous cookbook on Italian holiday food
I was really surprised by this small cookbook.Now when I saw small, it means that it isn't your typical full sized cookbook with in excess of 200 pages, it is a nice hundred pages or so cookbook.Some wonderful features of this cookbook are the pictures, the wonderful recipes, and the text that is written with the recipes.
Lots of great recipes
I enjoy Mario Batali's quality work, both his interesting/funny TV shows and his interesting/beautiful books (the photographs are beautiful). Often when you buy quality Italian cookbooks with traditional recipes you get the feeling that it's been produced for professional chefs only. The recipes are too advanced and time consuming, and often require access to an Italian food market in order to get all ingredients. The recipes in this book range from uncomplicated to advanced but is "possible" for regular hobby chefs. Most of the ingredients are available at regular grocery stores. However, this doesn't mean that the food and all the dishes are too basic or uncomplicated; it's just that they are "within" reach for us regular guys. I'm sure that both hobby- and more advanced chefs also can appreciate and learn a lot from this book.

Classic Mario, just not enough to meet expectations
The very best thing about this book is that it is more of Mario Batali cooking Italian food. Once that is said, there are some things which are disappointing about this book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    4. Holiday cookery    5. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    6. Cooking / Italian   

Reviews (5)

Great book
I bought this book hoping that it would have some fresh ideas for my kids' class parties instead of the same old games and crafts we've been doing it seems year after year.I was worried that even if it had new ideas they might be too invovled/time-consuming for the hour and a half we typically have for the whole party.I was pleasantly surprised that this book had so many ideas to choose from that were original and fit into our limited time frame.I highly recommend this book.

Wonderful Book for Anyone Planning A Christmas Party
So you're planning a Christmas party, one where there will be fun and games, and lots and lots of kids. But where do you start? Well, first of all, purchase CHRISTMAS PARTIES...WHAT DO I DO? Wilhelminia Ripple has created the perfect book for anyone planning a Christmas party. Filled with over 125 wonderful ideas for crafts, games, and holiday snacks. Wilhelminia teaches you everything you need to know to throw the most fantastic Christmas party of the season, complete with instructions on how to create Elf Handprints, how to build an Edible Snowman, make a Human Christmas Tree, and much, much more. Whether you've thrown Christmas parties before or not, CHRISTMAS PARTIES...WHAT DO I DO? is the one thing you'll need to make your Christmas party better than anyone else's. A wonderful book that absolutely must be a part of your book collection.
Christmas Parties What Do I Do?Buy This Book!!
This book has Christmas Spirit on every page, with holiday games,crafts, and goodies from all around the world. It really brings out the child inside us all. With an added bonus of 13 pages for New Years Eve. I am a Parent and Day Care Provider, to me this book is as much a part of Christmas as the Tree. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Children's parties    3. Christmas    4. Cookery    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    9. Holiday - General    10. Holidays - Christmas    11. New Year    12. Religion    13. Seasonal    14. Christmas books    15. Parties   

Reviews (1)

Ooh, I just couldn't wait for this book!
Well, it finally was released.I was so excited to see that this book was on the way and I certainly haven't been disappointed.I just love all the decorating ideas in this book - my husband grabbed it and off he went to the store to buy the stuff it recommends.Sure was beautiful when he was done.This book makes decorating elegantly so very beautiful for the holidays, and it just gives you so many nice ideas.But, the RECIPES!Yikes!Better buy those elastic waisted pants because you'll need them after these awesome dishes.You know it's bad when you want to start with the first recipe and just make everything else afterwards.That's how it is with this book.It's really that good!You won't be disappointed with this book.I just love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas cooking    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cookery    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Crafts & Hobbies    7. Decorating - General    8. Handicraft    9. Hobbies/Crafts    10. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    11. Interior Design    12. Seasonal    13. Southern States   

Editorial Review

The many shades of white, beautifully complemented by the velvety verdure of evergreens and ivy, are a perfect choice for holiday trimmings--the decorations, the accents and accessories, the table settings. Glowing with candlelight and sparkling with sun-kissed snow, these pages are filled with glorious arrays of white and green. Noted designer Tricia Foley has a way with white: dozens of elegant little ornaments, a creamware-bedecked table, a frosty tree encrusted with crystal and silver decorations, an all-white gingerbread house, even a boxwood-swagged gauzy bed canopy. "Like a Currier and Ives print or a snow-capped New England steeple," Foley reminds us, "the image of the perfect white Christmas is firmly etched in our minds." Her visual feast shows how truly stunning holiday decor can be when planned in a symphony of whites. Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas decorations    2. Cooking    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Handicraft    6. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior decoration    11. Table setting and decoration    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (1)

First book in the series
Let me say that this is a nice book. But, it doesn't have all the color photos, details and recipes that the later editions do so if you have those, don't expect the same with this one.I buy these for friends annually because they are that great and this one is pretty good.I think the third and fourth are the best so far, and this one is just average.The recipes are incredible, however, so it is worth the price of admission just for those.I love these books and it's hard to be disappointed with them once you start using them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    4. Seasonal   

Reviews (2)

Outstanding! TNT recipes from across the country
Although I have over 2,000 cookbooks, this is one of my top favorites.It contains recipes from customers all over the country -- and almost all are preceded by descriptions of why their family loves them, how many people beg for them, etc.Many also include directions for packaging as gifts.The book also contains cute illustrations, many of which provide great ideas for decorating one's own gift containers.There are also a number of quotations, some of which you may want to incorporate in your own crafts.There is nothing fancy about this book or the recipes -- it is primarily down home cooking, and everything I've tried has been delectable -- from layered cookie mix in a jar to main dishes.VERY highly recommended.

Outstanding! Great TNT recipes and crafts from all over
I LOVE this book, and everyone on my gift list to whom I have given it has loved it as well.The recipes are the tried-and-true favorites of Gooseberry Patch's staff members and customers from all over the country.Almost all are preceded by brief descriptions (usually about why they're family favorites and/or popular with guests), and many have unique packaging ideas. The illustrations are also warm and wonderful (and provide many ideas for one's own gift-giving).Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    4. Holiday - General    5. Cooking / General   

Reviews (3)

Great little Christmas book
After Martha Stewart went to prison, I guessed that perhaps the price of her books would go down due to lack of demand for them.
Martha the great
If the cookie crumbles, Martha will make pie crust crumbs out of it, just as she is doing in prison (COUGH).Her recipes are wonderful, her holiday spirit contagious...what can you say about a woman who bakes with Elmo and Miss Piggy for her Christmas specials?
This book MUST be in your cookbook collection!
I have read this newly-published cookbook from cover to cover today and I LOVE IT!It's not surprising Martha Stewart could put together a collection of recipes representing the Christmas holiday.Some cookbooks only focus on Christmas cookies or only Thanksgiving, but this cookbook highlights sophisticated recipes from drinks (I hadn't seen a Ramos Gin Fizz in a cookbook ever!) to entrees and of course, desserts.Sure, there are only so many things you can do with cranberries, chestnuts, hazelnuts, and pumpkins, but these are not tired, redone recipes just so she could publish yet another cookbook.This book is polished, much like the format of her h'ors d'oeuvres book.Beautiful photographs, great recipes.Anyone who loves cooking during the Christmas holidays, and not just bake cookies, will definitely love this cookbook! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas cooking    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Food Science    6. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    7. Holiday - General    8. Cooking / Holiday   

Reviews (2)

Super Cookie Book
I was delighted with this book. I love the recipes and especially the directions on decorating these special treats. Would recommend!

Not what I thought
I purchased this book with high hopes and great expectations.I have the Whimsical Bakehouse and was thrilled by it.This book was not what I assumed it would be.It is a collection of Christmas cookies of varying types.There are bar cookies, gingerbread, and cutouts, to name a few.I was hoping to find a book with wonderful decorating ideas for Christmas cutout cookies since that is what is displayed on the cover.In fact, they only give a template for that cookie but no real instruction as to how to achieve the look.Now, I am quite proficient at decorating, but sometimes need some great ideas to kick start my creativity.In fact, there were quite a few truly adorable cookies in the front section of the book, but no further information on them.
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Subjects:  1. Baking - Confectionery    2. Christmas cookery    3. Cookies    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Courses & Dishes - Cookies    7. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    8. Holiday - General    9. Methods - Baking    10. Cooking / Baking   

Editorial Review

Christmas and cookies are synonymous. Extolling that happy truth, Rose Levy Beranbaum's Read more

Reviews (44)

a rose is a rose
I confess that I find Rose's cookbooks intimidating (she is the woman who chose her husband because he understood her thesis on why sifting was not an adequate way to distribute dry ingredients), but like the Cake Bible this is a tremendous resource for a cookie baker.Don't expect all the standards here, but some new and even challenging cookies.

SIMPLY WONDERFUL!!!!
I bought this book for myself this Christmas baking season and I am soooo glad I did. What a beautiful book. I made 4 types of cookies out of it this year and each of them were fantastic! I absolutely LOVE the lemon bars. And although other reviewers have said that the Magohany Buttercrunch didn't come out for them, I had no problems with it at all. Delicious! Aside from the tasty recipes, this book is very well written and organized and contains a wealth of information about cookie baking. Here is what you can expect to find with every recipe:
The Best Cookie Book Ever
This is the only Christmas cookie book you need.This book is always pulled out at the start of the holiday season.Not only do the georgeous pictures put you in the holiday spirit but it also reminds me of the delicious memories of the wonderful cookies I have made from this book.I know that the binding may crack(7 years and still whole) but wouldn't you rather have a well-loved book that you use or a perfect binding of a book that never gets a second glance.Sequel Please. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Cookies    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Cookies    6. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    7. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft    8. Christmas books    9. Cooking / Holiday    10. Desserts