In this lively illustrated anthology, Anne Harvey recreates the spirit of childhood Christmases past, from Washington Irving's Christmas Day in 1820 to the twentieth century. E.H. Shepard humorously recalls recycling Christmas cards, a popular practice following the first seasonal card in 1843, and Quentin Blake vividly captures the yearly creation of the Christmas Pudding. Clement C. Moore's famous poem 'The Night Before Christmas' evokes childhood memories, and we share the delight of Fanny Longfellow's children who every year received letters from a very busy Santa Claus. Remembering the novelty of snowman-building, tree-decorating, parties, crackers and mistletoe; sympathising with the agonising task of thank-you letters, and the unrelieved joy of receiving notes from Father Christmas, Anne Harvey gathers together a delightful festive collection that will appeal to children and adults everywhere.