Mrs. Sharp's Traditions: Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations of Comfort & Joy

by Sarah Ban Breathnach

The seeds for the ground-breaking Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach's hugely successful bestseller, were first planted in Mrs. Sharp's Traditions. In this revised, redesigned edition of her charmingly illustrated Victorian style- and sourcebook, Sarah introduces to her legions of new readers the old-fashioned pleasures of family, customs, and home.

Genres: Nonfiction, Holiday, History, Parenting, Self Help, Victorian, Crafts

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

In addition to SIMPLE ABUNDANCE, Sarah Ban Breathnach is the author of THE SIMPLE ABUNDANCE JOURNAL OF GRATITUDE, SOMETHING MORE, and MRS. SHARP'S TRADITIONS. She currently resides in California. Please visit her website at www.simpleabundance.com.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. I am not naturally creative in the parenting department and this has given me lots of unique, entertaining ideas for things to do with my family. Even before I had kids, my husband and I used this book's idea for dying Easter Eggs with natural dyes (berries, turmeric, spinach, etc.) which turned out lovely. It's a big reason for why I do afternoon tea parties with my kids regularly. It's basically a parenting book for Christian parents who like Victorian (both European and American) traditions, holidays, and all things old fashioned. I got my hot cross buns recipe from this book and I've used many other ideas for good, clean, old-fashioned fun out of here. Highly recommended to moms who like period films ;)

[Chanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. It is full of old family traditions and how to bring joy back through them. It is an easy read that goes by month. I recommend it for everyone that wants to create happy family memories.

[Kjersti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and wholesome book with plenty of simple ideas organized by month. Inspired by the book, we had a maple-syrup themed dinner to celebrate the time of year when maple syrup is harvested and learned a little about the old fashioned process - it was a hit for my syrup loving family.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple of years ago I read Simple Abundance by this author and Loved it. There were many references to this book in that one, so when I saw this at a used book sale I snatched it up.
While I did enjoy the look back to Victorian celebrations, complete with history, crafts, and recipes to enjoy throughout the year, I just couldn't get past my annoyance with the voice of the writing. The author is writing about herself in the third person, but the self she is writing about is supposed to be a Victorian era wife and mother. It was much too pithy and overboard for me to enjoy.

[Amy Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have any interest in victorian or day gone by traditions this book is for you. It's filled with recipes, ideas and traditions that were common in victorian society. Its great resource for anyone wanting to add some romatic traditions and beauty into your modern life.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My step mother gave me this book when I got married and as someone who has always felt the power of positive tradtions I fell immediately in love with it. It's beautiful, for one thing; it's practical for another. She has lots of ideas so that you can test out which ones work for your family. She inclues the history of the traditions and holidays, which adds dimension and meaning to celebrating them. This book is pro family togetherness, joy, meaningful time together and love. I highly recommend it!

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about Victorian traditions and the origins of our holidays. It has given me ideas of how to create special days for my kids--from birthdays to forgotten holidays such as Candlemas. A charming book.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book! I go back to it regularly when I need help with a celebration, or an excuse to plan a party for my family. Everyone should have this book.

[Relaynie]

Simple Abundance,Sarah Ban Breathnach

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun! A great "listory" of holidays and special ways and occasions to celebrate. Good for reference and fun with kiddos! Would make a great coffee table book, too.

[Cheryl]

If it were truly a resurrected book from a century before SBB created Sharp, I'd be more interested. In fact, thinking that is what put it on my to-read shelf. As it turns out, I don't need the book... I remember all the wonderful traditions my parents and grandparents taught me, and I read historical fiction, and besides, my kids are grown and we're all doing just fine thank you.

If I found a paper copy to flip through, I would... but my only access is a scanned copy on openlibrary.org and that is not a recipe for success.

Is it of value to young families who don't have the memories to cherish that I do? Probably. But I'm just not sure, and suspect that there is lots of competition for the niche.

Feb. 2022

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike picture-perfect Instagram content, Mrs. Sharp's Traditions is a realistic look at family life, and offers ideas for creating family traditions at home. Usually books like this are full of professionally photographed, perfectly staged moments in the author's household. This one uses exclusively Victorian imagery; the introduction in this reissue is also enlightening regarding its down-to-earth nature, even for the pre-social media days. The design of the book is very hodge-podge (thus accurate to its era) but it is cozy.

Recipes, ideas for everything from celebrating May Day to "crisscross days," and more. Refreshingly mundane.

[Amy]

For some reason, the title does not directly match what I read/listened to. The title I read was Mrs. Sharp's Traditions: Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations of Comfort & Joy, which displays on one page, but Sarah Ban Breathnach's Mrs. Sharp's Traditions: Art of Domestic Bliss (Audiobook) displays on my read shelf.

I read this a long time ago, but I do clearly remember that it was back before Martha Stewart was as huge as she became, before reality TV, HGTV and all the popular design and home-focused stuff we have today.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be so very charming and inspiring. It paints a picture of an ideal Victorian family lifestyle. It is obvious that in reality no one could possibly be as perfect as Mrs. Sharp but that's alright. As long as one uses this book for inspiration, and not as a rule book of expectations to live up to, it is very rewarding. It encourages families to mark the changing seasons and holidays with simple customs, lots of crafts, outdoor play, picnics and tea times. I borrowed this from the library and I am surely going to borrow it again!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite.. a keeper.. a rereader.. yep I love this book.. Beautiful, inspiring, informative..

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an older book but I still remember reading 25yrs ago. That should tell you something. And in this rushed and crazy world of today I feel it has much to teach us.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun insight and inspiration into Victorian family and holiday traditions.

[Katie Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book. Love to go back again and again.

[Kris Irvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will make you want to live in the Victorian era! It is wonderfully written with fascinating details about life in the early 19th century. Ban Breathnach's ideas for borrowing Victorian traditions are almost inspiring. I think this book would be better suited for larger families, or at least families with more than one child. Many of the traditions sound great but would certainly be fun with siblings to share the experience with. Also if you have only boys, they may not appreciate some of the more flower-themed traditions! Overall this book is a great read, whether you want to incorporate Mrs. Sharp's traditions or not. Sadly, I don't believe Ban Breathnach has written any other Mrs. Sharp books. I would love to read more like this one.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in the store and picked it up on a whim. Many of the traditions I had already "read" as someone had plagerized a number of them and posted them on her blog, but I didn't know it at the time. I loved the ideas when I read them on the blog, in fact copied a few to incorporate in my own house.

Once I found the author of the book and the originator of many of the ideas was Sarah Ban Breathnach, I was thrilled. I love this book and it comes of the shelf when I want to create fun activies and traditions for my family. While I missed St. Patty's day... I plan on pulling it off the shelf for Easter ideas.

Oh and the criss cross day is BRILLIANT!

[Leah Beecher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reference book about family based on Victorian ideals and customs on how a family should be run, and enjoyed. Its told in a quirky way as the Author is "the voice" of the fictitious Victorian housewife and mother, Mrs. Sharp. Its full of history and really good practical tips and sweet projects for you and your children to do together as a family, all year long. This is what helped launch me into the role of an official "crafty mom" with a higher purpose. A modern but non Christian book that stressed the importance of family, marriage and simply living.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just re-read this book for the 5th or 6th time, and it was just as inspiring as the first! I feel rejuvinated to continue to make the effort to create a warm, inviting home life for my family, filled with fun traditions! There are so many good ideas in this book without feeling preachy. I love all things old fashioned, and so I really relate to the style of the writing as well. I LOVE this book and keep it displayed on my hope chest in my bedroom.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun book! It was great to read about traditions that were common during Victorian times and also how holidays were celebrated then. I learned a lot about the history of holidays we still celebrate today and about holidays that aren't commonly practiced anymore (my favorites being Candlemas and New Year Open Houses). Overall, the book was a great reminder of the importance of families and creating traditions.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It's meant as a reference as ideas to do from month to month. Old fashioned, Victorian, simple holiday, festive, and day to day ideas to do each month to make bring the family closer together and have a more loving, united family environment. I'm going to buy it to have as a reference all year long.

[Helen Juarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book full of ideas to incorporate into your families day-to-day living to help make some wonderful memorable traditions of your own.The Victorians knew how to keep it simple yet meaningful. This is a great read for anyone interested in creating some meaningful traditions for their own family.

[Angelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a fun, fix a cup of cocoa and sit in the tub read. It's written from the perspective of a Victorian age woman giving advice to mothers. She talks a lot about Victorian traditions. It's just fun.

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is filled with seasonal ideas for family togetherness. The ideas are sweet, some are based on Victorian traditions, some are based on more recent ideas. Her seasonal living traditions are worth looking at, and some are even worth doing ;)

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas through out the year to make family traditions. The traditions in the book are interesting and very Victorian, in a refreshing way. Break away from modern day traditions and adopt some that are full of "comfort and joy". Great Victorian illustrations.

[Dottie]

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[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was looking for ideas for traditions. This book had many good ones and it was really fun to see how Victorian life was from a homemaker's point of view.