Christmas: Penhaligon's Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose

by Sheila Pickles (Editor)

This book captures all the splendor of Christmas. Included are selections from Christmas favorites such as The Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Carol, as well as time-honored songs such as "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Joy to the World." All of the delights are appropriately gift wrapped in a beautiful holiday package. 45 full-color illustrations.

Genres: Christmas, Poetry, Nonfiction, Holiday, Anthologies

111 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Sheila began her career working for Franco Zeffirelli in the worlds of theatre, film and opera in Italy in the 60s. "He was my education," says Sheila. "He was the first one to open my eyes to the whole world of the Arts. In Rome beauty was all around me." At Zeffirelli's suggestion she took over the dying business of Penhaligon's - the historic perfume house making colognes and special preparations for discerning gentlemen - and spent the next two decades brilliantly bringing the business back to International life. Starting with the launch of several exquisite new scents, her creativity took her into designing original luxury gifts and finally into publishing. Sixteen unique scented anthologies of verse and prose redefined the giftbook market including the international bestseller, The Language of Flowers. Two million copies sold!

With the Objets d'Art Jewellery website, Sheila has created a 21st century version of her books, now on line for the next generation. Showing the inspiration and provenance of the jewellery gives a special meaning to which everyone can immediately relate. "Working in the Uffizzi Gallery in Florence with Zeffirelli during the Florence Flood in 1966 was a cathartic time for me", says Sheila. "This was when I realised for the first time the full value of the past and what it can offer us in the future."

Sheila’s creative spark and enormous energy are taking her into a new world, mastering website technology and new marketing techniques in a different direction close to her heart - the beauty of jewellery.

Sheila has two children, James who works in film and Charlotte who is a make-up artist. Charlotte has lent us her beautiful face and is one of the jewellery models.

Reviews

[Matthew Dalzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ratings on this little gem have really disappointed me. Are modern readers so unimaginative? So uneasily inspired? Apparently.

Let me clear the fog: this book is a gem from front to back. It doesn't pretend to masquerade as something else: from the slip to the book to the material upon its pages, it is solidly compiled and excellently presented, particularly with that Dickensian flare that the truly self-respecting and sensible person will find entertaining and annually cathartic.

My copy was bought second-hand, mint, and lacking in the sachet of perfume that apparently accompanies the book, but this is of no matter. The book stands excellently without this final item.

Of perhaps most importance is the noticeably thoughtful arrangement of poems, short stories, and Christmas paraphernalia between its pages. Nothing is really slanted to any cliche which is a relief considering the mass-consumerism and Saint Nick-ification of Christmas prevalent nowadays. On the contrary, the book harkens to a time when the Christmas season represented social and spiritual respite from impossibly hard times, where the Christmas goose, song, and message moved people in magnificent ways to extend cheer to their fellow man.

To sum this book up in a single phrase, I would add that it embodies the Christmas Carol in its essence. If you enjoy that most classic Christmas story bereft of austerity and shallowness, then you will immensely enjoy reading this little book.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your average book of Christmas meditations, a genre too often populated with the simplistic and sentimental. Barth is a serious thinker and even his popular writing, which these essays are, requires serious attention. Although some of the essays here don't quite succeed at transcending their time and place (1920s/30s Germany), those that do go deep into the theology of Christmas in ways that speak across time.

[G.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this slim volume of Christmas,which includes poetry, short stories and excerpts of well loved tales. It lives on my coffee table from the beginning of December, and I dip into it throughout the month. There are some lovely illustrations too. I have had this book over 20 odd years and never tire of it !

[Pages & Cup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of poems, extracts and full-color wintry and festive artwork. This book was published in 1989 and the copy I found in a used book shop still smells of Penhaligon’s The Winter Garden fragrance. Such a delight. Four stars because I would have loved even more poems, songs and extracts.

[Cheryl Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely mixed read for Christmas.

[Eleanor Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection and beautifully illustrated capturing Christmas in every way

[Blasr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some well-remembered and loved extracts and pictures.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her Introduction, Pickles describes the value of this collection of essays and story excerpts as helping her keep Christmas in context. I'd forgotten that as I read, but recalled it as I felt the same effect working on me. It's so easy to let the holiday get out of control and these writings (mostly from the 19th Century) either describe very simple, but joyful holidays or communicate thoughts about Christmas that grounded me in its meaning. This will be an annual reading from now on.

[valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You witness your book

[Gobbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is charming and lovely to look at. The art selected fits beautifully with the theme but didn't meet my expectations otherwise.

I had hoped for more poetry, more romanticism or even depth of emotion but often the poetry and prose was either regarding the care of roses, their history, varying gardens and varieties, etc. I found myself skimming as some of the prose was mundane, had little feeling or simply felt misplaced. The fault here isn't in the works selected but rather the way the book is presented to the reader which leaves romantics and stoics wondering why there was not more depth to this book.

At halfway through I began to skim more than anything and that's a rarity for me. DNF and I can't say I will be keeping this book.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slim volume is a treasury of Victorian excerpts and paintings. From quite well-known writings to lessen known ones, it embodies the spirit of Christmas. Included are poems, some of which we now sing as carols, as well as some well chosen excerpts from several authors including Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, Sir Walter Scott, and Thomas Hardy. The paintings add much to enjoyment of this anthology with their lavish colors and details.

[Leila Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this little book about Christmas' gone by. I long for the simple days without the stresses of not knowing what to purchase and how much to spend. To go back in time to experience the joys of Christmas past!

[Jas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book! The collection is cozy, spanning writings from various other works and poems, all centered around Christmas, or winter time. The artwork featured is beautiful and I absolutely love putting this out every Christmas.

[Brandi Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very good! I loved all of the beautiful illustrations! Lovely Christmas book!

[Anna Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a re-read but interesting and fun for Christmas

[Carole · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best part of this little book was all the fabulous artwork. It is a beautiful little book full of stories of Christmas-some well known-and others fairly obscure.

[Julie Moore]

Beautiful illustrations

[Lee Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I most enjoyed of this was the recipes and the pictures. The excerpts were often interesting as well, but I found them hit and miss.

[Felistuous · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice compendium to get you in hte mood for some christmas cheer.

[Sherry Gruber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I try to read this book every year at Christmas - I love it!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another library book sale treasure. Loved the pictures, and was not familiar with most of the stories quoted.

[Carrie LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful book of poems and excerpts from Christmas books from now and long ago. Read every Christmas!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of bits of poetry and excerpts from famous works with wonderful pictures with each one. dickens, tennyson, virginia woolf, elizabeth bowen and lots more.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations. I just can't get enough of the Victorian age pictures. I also enjoyed the selections. Most I had never read before.