From Publishers Weekly
This cozy book bursts with the sweet nostalgia found in such movies as A Christmas Story: think fancy glass Christmas balls, Bing Crosby, tinsel and garlands, toy trains, coonskin hats and glistening roast turkey. Broken down by subject (e.g., the tree and its trimmings, the holiday shopping frenzy, popular gifts for "kids from one to 92", celebrations, food, etc.), it addresses the lighthearted and the more serious aspects of the Yuletide season. Waggoner (Vintage Cocktails) gives depth to a seemingly light subject; although the copious photographs and illustrations depict corny Christmas cards and ecstatic children discovering a load of presents under the tree on Christmas morning, the accompanying text is well researched and deftly illuminates how a great number of Christmas traditions originated during the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Description
Even now that we're all grown up, we can't help but look back on our childhood holidays and hope to recapture that elusive spirit of joyful anticipation. Celebrating Christmas is so often about nostalgia. With a nod and a wink to the days of Christmas past, It's a Wonderful Christmas presents classic images of the Yuletide icons of mid-20th-century America.Bubbler lights and glow-in-the-dark icicles. Catalogues crammed with toys. Norad bulletins tracking Rudolph's red nose through the nighttime sky. Along with hundreds of such quintessentially American illustrations, author Susan Waggoner stocking-stuffs her lively text with fascinating bits of information, lore, and lists. Wonder what the all-time most popular Christmas song is? How the tradition of the department store Santa got started? The answers are here. Loaded with images of vintage Christmas cards, wrapping paper, magazine ads, Lionel toy trains, and more, all in full color, this charming book will appeal to anyone who associates Christmas with home movies, "The Chipmunk Song," and Santa relaxing with an ice-cold bottle of Coca-Cola. AUTHOR BIO: SUSAN WAGGONER is the author of several illustrated books, including Vintage Cocktails (STC). A native of Minnesota, she currently lives in New York City.

About the Author
SUSAN WAGGONER is the author of several illustrated books, including Vintage Cocktails (STC). A native of Minnesota, she currently lives in New York City.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Christmas has always been special. But the Christmases during and after World War II were just a little bit more special. Men stationed on palm-covered islands dreamed of snowmen and winter wonderlands. Home front families looked forward to the day when "home for keeps" would be a reality. And when that day finally came, the celebration was enormous. Christmas acquired a jubilant glow, a festive lavishness that persists to this day. From toy catalogs to Bubbler lights to Rudolph's bright red nose, a vast number of today's traditions date back to that special time. Bursting with visual icons and images, trimmed with sparkling and informative text, It's a Wonderful Christmas celebrates the era in high style. If you've ever wondered how the tradition of department store Santas got started, or what the all-time most popular Christmas song is, this is the place to look.