Christmas All Through the South

Reviewed by Jeanne

Christmas All Through the South: Joyful Memories, Timeless Moments, Enduring Traditions is a gorgeous coffee table type book from Southern Living. The content is divided up into chapters with the headings, “Joyful Anticipation,” “Delightful Destinations,” Heartfelt Gatherings,” Sparkling Celebrations,” and “Festive Recipes.” Each section has essays by various authors about the season, including pieces by Rick Bragg, Ace Atkins, and Mark Childress, which evoke memories and feelings about the time.

This being a Southern Living publication, the book is filled with beautiful and evocative photos.  It’s a real feast for the eyes.  Some of the photos are of Christmas lights and snow-covered lanes, others are rustic scenes of cozy cabins; there are beautifully decorated rooms, festive scenes, and historic sites, such as Biltmore or New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Most of all, there are photos of food.  Oh, my are there photos of food!  I was not in the least bit hungry when I started thumbing through this book but it wasn’t long before my stomach was rumbling and my mouth was watering.  The book includes recipes for everything from Christmas morning brunch with red velvet pancakes to a cocktail supper with roasted oysters and Bourbon Ginger Punch. 

As enticing as the photos are, I have to say my favorite part was the text. I loved not only the personal recollections but the interesting tidbits about how different parts of the South celebrate the holiday.  I was unfamiliar with the Reveillon dinners, for example, which are a Louisiana staple, or the Christmas Eve bonfires along the Mississippi.

This is a wonderful book to spend time with, whether it’s a few minutes between holiday chores or an hour while waiting for guests to arrive.  Bonus points for having an index!