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An Almost Perfect Christmas
From the author of Love, Nina -- a hilarious ode to the joys and insanities of the most wonderful time of the year.
Every family has its Christmas traditions and memories, and Nina Stibbe's is no exception. From her kitchen-phobic mother's annual obsession with roasting the perfect turkey (an elusive dream to this day) to the quest for a perfect teacher gift (memorable for all the wrong reasons); from the tragic Christmas tree ("is it meant to look like that?") to the acceptable formula for thank-you letters (must include Health Inquiry and Interesting Comment), Nina Stibbe captures all that is magical and maddening about the holidays.
Every family has its Christmas traditions and memories, and Nina Stibbe's is no exception. From her kitchen-phobic mother's annual obsession with roasting the perfect turkey (an elusive dream to this day) to the quest for a perfect teacher gift (memorable for all the wrong reasons); from the tragic Christmas tree ("is it meant to look like that?") to the acceptable formula for thank-you letters (must include Health Inquiry and Interesting Comment), Nina Stibbe captures all that is magical and maddening about the holidays.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2017
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1822 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
December 3, 2018
3.5 Well it's here again, ready or not. That time of year that I both enjoy and dislike. So much to do, so many to shop for, but yet magical still somehow. I think most of us could think back to Christmases past and come up with quite a few notable stories of our own. Nina Stibbe's entertains us with some of hers.
Some I could relate too, the quest for a moist turkey being one. Did anyone else ever cook their turkeys upside down? Trying for perfectly moist breast meat. We did, but there were some ways of acheiving moistness and her mother's droll responses when regardless, the turkey managed to always taste dry, that were too ironically funny.. Her unlimitless Christmas list, definitely I'm there with this one. Trying to find the perfect gift, she relates her own rules and struggles on gift buying. Her family even tried themed gifts, to make the gift buying easier. Those produced done amazing antidotes. The Christmas tree, she brings home a potted tree that needed to be rescued. Her children were not impressed. Me, for the first time in my life span I have talked my husband into an artificial, pre-lit tree. Less work for me, but he is only grudgingly accepting. Tradition, don't you know.
A few of her stories I couldn't relate to, being from the US and not Great Britain, the most notable being the flamed Christmas pudding. The story attached though was quitr amusing. All in all a fun read, and at books end she includes, An Almost Comprehensive Glossary of Christmas. Those terms and her definitions may be my favorite part of the book.
Some I could relate too, the quest for a moist turkey being one. Did anyone else ever cook their turkeys upside down? Trying for perfectly moist breast meat. We did, but there were some ways of acheiving moistness and her mother's droll responses when regardless, the turkey managed to always taste dry, that were too ironically funny.. Her unlimitless Christmas list, definitely I'm there with this one. Trying to find the perfect gift, she relates her own rules and struggles on gift buying. Her family even tried themed gifts, to make the gift buying easier. Those produced done amazing antidotes. The Christmas tree, she brings home a potted tree that needed to be rescued. Her children were not impressed. Me, for the first time in my life span I have talked my husband into an artificial, pre-lit tree. Less work for me, but he is only grudgingly accepting. Tradition, don't you know.
A few of her stories I couldn't relate to, being from the US and not Great Britain, the most notable being the flamed Christmas pudding. The story attached though was quitr amusing. All in all a fun read, and at books end she includes, An Almost Comprehensive Glossary of Christmas. Those terms and her definitions may be my favorite part of the book.
December 24, 2025
(2.5) I reviewed this for Stylist magazine when it first came out and had fond memories of a witty collection I expected to dip into again and again. This time, though, Stibbe’s grumpy rants about turkey, family, choosing a tree and compiling the perfect Christmas party playlist fell flat with me. The four short stories felt particularly weak. I most recognized and enjoyed the sentiments in “Christmas Correspondence,” which is about the etiquette for round-robin letters and thank-you notes. The tongue-in-cheek glossary that closes the book is also amusing. But this has served its time in my collection and it’s off to the Little Free Library with it to, I hope, give someone else a chuckle on Christmas day.
Originally published, with images, on my blog, Bookish Beck.
Original rating and review excerpt: (3.5) With its short chapters and stocking stuffer dimensions, this is a perfect book to dip into over the holidays. The autobiographical pieces involve Stibbe begrudgingly coming round to things she’s resisted, from Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody” to a flaming Christmas pudding. The four short stories, whether nostalgic or macabre, share a wicked sense of humor. You’ll also find an acerbic shopping guide and – best of all – a tongue-in-cheek Christmas A-to-Z. Nearly as funny as Love, Nina. (I reviewed this for the Nov. 29th Stylist “Book Wars” column.)
Originally published, with images, on my blog, Bookish Beck.
Original rating and review excerpt: (3.5) With its short chapters and stocking stuffer dimensions, this is a perfect book to dip into over the holidays. The autobiographical pieces involve Stibbe begrudgingly coming round to things she’s resisted, from Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody” to a flaming Christmas pudding. The four short stories, whether nostalgic or macabre, share a wicked sense of humor. You’ll also find an acerbic shopping guide and – best of all – a tongue-in-cheek Christmas A-to-Z. Nearly as funny as Love, Nina. (I reviewed this for the Nov. 29th Stylist “Book Wars” column.)
November 2, 2017
This Xmassy offering (see Glossary) is very much as advertised by the title, small stocking filler size and lovely retro font and drawings: a humorous take on the English family Christmas.
Nina Stibbe has the most delightfully self-deprecating voice. (In a chapter on Christmas Shopping, she ruefully acknowledges that this book will probably end up being in the 'bulker-upper' category.) I was reading this book on a London bus during rush hour, and heads kept swivelling to discover why I was continually giggling. She is as far from stern Martha Stewart perfection and 'themed' Christmas trees as you can get on the scale of Christmas aesthetics. Certainly Martha Stewart would never be caught in the downstairs loo trying to defrost the turkey with a hair-dryer, nor buying a tree contemptuously referred to as 'a snag' by the florist. This is a humble Christmas offering that everyone can appreciate, especially the lazy and defiantly 'un' aspirational. It definitely has an English slant - what with Quality Street, Slade, Brussels sprouts and round robin Christmas letters - but I think its appeal is more universal than not. After all, the ingredients of Christmas never really change - no matter how we try to improve them every year. And most of us are suckers for them NOT changing. (Just a word to Nina and her mother, though: if you want a moist turkey, you really must stick with brining. Never mind turning off the central heating. I always put my brining turkey in a cool box in the garden. Do put something heavy on top of it, though, so critters won't get into it.)
A dear friend gave me the wonderful Love, Nina for Christmas several years ago, and then the DVD of the BBC series (featuring Faye Marsha and Helena Bonham Carter) last year. I know what she will be getting this year!
Thanks so much to Isabel Wall and Viking Books UK for a copy of this charming and very entertaining book.
Nina Stibbe has the most delightfully self-deprecating voice. (In a chapter on Christmas Shopping, she ruefully acknowledges that this book will probably end up being in the 'bulker-upper' category.) I was reading this book on a London bus during rush hour, and heads kept swivelling to discover why I was continually giggling. She is as far from stern Martha Stewart perfection and 'themed' Christmas trees as you can get on the scale of Christmas aesthetics. Certainly Martha Stewart would never be caught in the downstairs loo trying to defrost the turkey with a hair-dryer, nor buying a tree contemptuously referred to as 'a snag' by the florist. This is a humble Christmas offering that everyone can appreciate, especially the lazy and defiantly 'un' aspirational. It definitely has an English slant - what with Quality Street, Slade, Brussels sprouts and round robin Christmas letters - but I think its appeal is more universal than not. After all, the ingredients of Christmas never really change - no matter how we try to improve them every year. And most of us are suckers for them NOT changing. (Just a word to Nina and her mother, though: if you want a moist turkey, you really must stick with brining. Never mind turning off the central heating. I always put my brining turkey in a cool box in the garden. Do put something heavy on top of it, though, so critters won't get into it.)
A dear friend gave me the wonderful Love, Nina for Christmas several years ago, and then the DVD of the BBC series (featuring Faye Marsha and Helena Bonham Carter) last year. I know what she will be getting this year!
Thanks so much to Isabel Wall and Viking Books UK for a copy of this charming and very entertaining book.
January 15, 2019
This book is a humorous look at the efforts it takes to create the perfect Christmas. Nearly all of us have traditions that we try to keep from year to year, even if they aren't exactly something we look forward to.
Some of the references were things I was not familiar with, as this is based in the UK. I didn't know "being sanctioned" meant Bunny was placed into a mental institution involuntarily.
That being said, I still laughed a few times. As a person who loves nothing better than cooking a big meal, especially for the holidays, I had little in common with the author's lifelong inability to cook a turkey, yet I could sympathize that she still had that goal (as it never happened in this book). Her mother, truth be told, had no business in a kitchen in the first place - she may as well have been trying to pull her lower lip up over her head as to cook a meal, turkey or no turkey.
It's a fun read!
Some of the references were things I was not familiar with, as this is based in the UK. I didn't know "being sanctioned" meant Bunny was placed into a mental institution involuntarily.
That being said, I still laughed a few times. As a person who loves nothing better than cooking a big meal, especially for the holidays, I had little in common with the author's lifelong inability to cook a turkey, yet I could sympathize that she still had that goal (as it never happened in this book). Her mother, truth be told, had no business in a kitchen in the first place - she may as well have been trying to pull her lower lip up over her head as to cook a meal, turkey or no turkey.
It's a fun read!
December 22, 2020
A short stocking filler sized seasonal book, amusing and light hearted tales from the authors life at Christmas. Funny, easy reading.
November 2, 2017
This could be the perfect stocking filler for those of you who celebrate Christmas and know someone who likes a good laugh. It is a short, fun read full of mini stories and anecdotes about the joys and craziness of Christmas. If you know someone who appreciates a certain type of humour, then this would be ideal for them! Some parts of it really did make me laugh out loud! *
November 26, 2025
A comical and relatable exploration of the joy, nostalgia and absurdity of the holiday season, in this brilliantly short memoir.
In my attempt to read more widely, I am deliberately trying a few more Christmas or holiday-themed reads that are available at my local library, even if they are different than what I would typically choose…
October 18, 2023
So funny!
December 3, 2017
Sent to me as a gift from Penguin Books, this lovely little Christmas book is a pretty and very funny read, especially if, like me you are from the same generation at Nina Stibbe.
Spilt into chapters that describe the madness of Christmas including presents (and re-gifting), Christmas parties, the endless quest to cook a turkey that isn't dry and families, it is funny and I found myself agreeing with a lot of what she says! I especially like the Christmas glossary in the back.
Spilt into chapters that describe the madness of Christmas including presents (and re-gifting), Christmas parties, the endless quest to cook a turkey that isn't dry and families, it is funny and I found myself agreeing with a lot of what she says! I especially like the Christmas glossary in the back.
December 20, 2018
The back of the book says “hilarious ode to the joys and insanities of the most wonderful time of the year.” I think not. Maybe cute and somewhat funny. I smiled at the turkey chapter and the glossary but other than that I turned the pages as quickly as I could to get to the end of the book. Bah Humbug! 🎄 🎁 🛷
November 1, 2017
Collection of seasonal stories that will strike a chord with many - very funny family tales
We all have them - the Christmas tales of seasonal get-togethers, traditions, horror stories and 'incidents' unique to our own broods. Nina Stibbe here collects hers together (let's hope she checked with family members before including them!) for a short selection of amusing anecdotes.
From nightmare turkey experiences to eating a bird with a name, there are tales here I connected with (Slade! Going home for the holidays!) and I loved the whole little volume, even in October.
Stibbe chats away to us with honesty and a deft touch, you can't tell if she's embellished, it all flows nicely with previous stories mentioned and making a cohesive whole.
I felt a little nostalgic for family Christmases that won't ever be the same now I'm a mum myself, but also a little excited about (yet another!) the December just around the corner, and making more memories with my own small children.
This would make a lovely gift, but ideally it would be read before the season to get you in the mood (and remind you to defrost the turkey!).
Short but sweet. Treat yourself.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
We all have them - the Christmas tales of seasonal get-togethers, traditions, horror stories and 'incidents' unique to our own broods. Nina Stibbe here collects hers together (let's hope she checked with family members before including them!) for a short selection of amusing anecdotes.
From nightmare turkey experiences to eating a bird with a name, there are tales here I connected with (Slade! Going home for the holidays!) and I loved the whole little volume, even in October.
Stibbe chats away to us with honesty and a deft touch, you can't tell if she's embellished, it all flows nicely with previous stories mentioned and making a cohesive whole.
I felt a little nostalgic for family Christmases that won't ever be the same now I'm a mum myself, but also a little excited about (yet another!) the December just around the corner, and making more memories with my own small children.
This would make a lovely gift, but ideally it would be read before the season to get you in the mood (and remind you to defrost the turkey!).
Short but sweet. Treat yourself.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
December 18, 2023
Short, funny and Christmassy!
December 16, 2018
Have read charming funny Christmas book and now am in the proper spirit to celebrate the season. Even created the playlist for using at the bookstore. Would say Nina Stibbe is a national treasure, but of course, she lives in the wrong country. Or I do. Whatever. Read this and you will realize the proper amount of Glue Vine will solve all your seasonal problems.
November 26, 2022
Short and funny. Perfect if you want to get into the holiday spirit. Equally perfect if you detest Christmas.
July 30, 2020
This book had me chuckling throughout the whole story! Observations on Christmas' past, helpful suggestions for future holidays with friends and family, are all done with tongue- in- cheek humor. That dry wit of the British is the grabber here...even the glossary at the end of the book will have you smirking!
Lighthearted read....great for these sultry heat wave days of covid confinement.
Lighthearted read....great for these sultry heat wave days of covid confinement.
December 2, 2019
I'm very partial to Nina Stibbe's writing so it's really a given that I'm going to enjoy this. This is a collection of stories and essays about Christmas but they aren't the usual sentimental fare. Nina has a very British sense of humor that I thoroughly enjoy.
December 24, 2017
Seasonal Christmas episodes from Stibbe's life. Mildly entertaining but overly contrived
January 9, 2018
It's hard to know how to categorise this book; it's part non-fiction, with Nina Stibbe recalling Christmas memories, and it's part fiction with four short stories interspersed between the essays. I'll review the non-fiction first, then the fiction. I listened to this on audiobook and Nina Stibbe reads her own work in a impassive, dour manner, which makes her stories even more hilarious. I listened to it because I was so fatigued at the time that I didn't even have the energy to focus on reading and this happened to be a perfect choice.
So, the non-fiction. The bulk of this (short) book is essays which recall various memories, both from childhood and more recent ones, focusing on different aspects of Christmas, e.g. turkey, Christmas shopping, going home for Christmas as an adult. I found each one very relatable; from identifying my mother in how she talks about hers to the experience of being a single adult at Christmas and being expected to spend it with your parents.
As for the fiction, I didn't actually realise that they were fiction until the third (out of four) story! Which is silly, on reflection, but please remember that I was very tired. The first story, Swin to Santa Claus, reminded me a lot of her book Man at the Helm. The second, A Present for Teacher, had me in stitches and maybe the chapter that benefits most from her reading style (which I am not sure whether she's done intentionally or not); it was easily my favourite of the four stories. The third, The Christmas Lunch, was the only misfire in the book for me; it was odd and didn't do anything for me. The final story, Timothy the Christmas Turkey, was, to me, the darkest of the four and my second favourite.
A final point of note: the audio version doesn't include the glossary that is included in the print version. I see from other people's reviews that this is an entertaining section so it's a shame that it wasn't included (but I guess it was viewed that it wouldn't translate for an audio experience). I'll have to check it out sometime when I'm in a bookshop.
Overall, a worthwhile short Christmastime read and would make an excellent Christmas gift for any readers you know. I realise I read and reviewed this after Christmas, thus making that suggestion pointless as of right now, but it might be useful for anyone looking this book up in eleven months time!
So, the non-fiction. The bulk of this (short) book is essays which recall various memories, both from childhood and more recent ones, focusing on different aspects of Christmas, e.g. turkey, Christmas shopping, going home for Christmas as an adult. I found each one very relatable; from identifying my mother in how she talks about hers to the experience of being a single adult at Christmas and being expected to spend it with your parents.
As for the fiction, I didn't actually realise that they were fiction until the third (out of four) story! Which is silly, on reflection, but please remember that I was very tired. The first story, Swin to Santa Claus, reminded me a lot of her book Man at the Helm. The second, A Present for Teacher, had me in stitches and maybe the chapter that benefits most from her reading style (which I am not sure whether she's done intentionally or not); it was easily my favourite of the four stories. The third, The Christmas Lunch, was the only misfire in the book for me; it was odd and didn't do anything for me. The final story, Timothy the Christmas Turkey, was, to me, the darkest of the four and my second favourite.
A final point of note: the audio version doesn't include the glossary that is included in the print version. I see from other people's reviews that this is an entertaining section so it's a shame that it wasn't included (but I guess it was viewed that it wouldn't translate for an audio experience). I'll have to check it out sometime when I'm in a bookshop.
Overall, a worthwhile short Christmastime read and would make an excellent Christmas gift for any readers you know. I realise I read and reviewed this after Christmas, thus making that suggestion pointless as of right now, but it might be useful for anyone looking this book up in eleven months time!
January 31, 2019
My library hold on this book came almost two weeks after the holiday, and I was set to add it to my list for next year and return it without reading it for now. Then I found myself on a bus with nothing else to read--and by the time the bus ride was over I was laughing so often I decided to finish it despite it now being out of season. In addition to the humor, there is an ample dose of the Christmas spirit (and also plenty of "keeping it real" Yuletide stories and advice for those for whom the most wonderful time of the year...isn't). There are lots of British-isms that may have American readers scratching their heads, but they're nothing a quick Google search can't make intelligible. When the season rolls around again, put this one on your list.
October 17, 2017
I’ve never read any of Nina Stibbe’s books before but I’m a sucker for anything Christmassy, and the description appealed to me. I read it in only two sittings (it would’ve been one, but I couldn’t go 24 hours without any sleep) and didn’t want it to end. I loved Nina’s writing style and her sense of humour was just up my street. Being of a similar age to Nina, parts of the book brought back memories of my own childhood and Christmas traditions. This wasn’t just a ‘laugh-out-loud’ book, for me it was a ‘laugh-out-loud-and-occasionally-snort’ book, and I’d highly recommend it. I loved it so much that I’ve been straight out and bought another of Nina’s books!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books UK for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books UK for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 5, 2018
A collection of short stories and humorous essays about Christmas. Very British, moderately funny (I smiled several times, but never laughed outright). If you’re already feeling a little jaded with all the holiday cheer, this might suit your mood.
November 13, 2017
I wasn't overly keen on this, I must admit. For me, it lacked the charm and exuberance of Love, Nina, and I found that a lot of the stories felt rushed, or ended a little too abruptly.
Read
December 6, 2017Maybe you had to be there?
December 26, 2020
An entertaining abbreviated version from BBC Radio 4. Perfect Christmas meal prep company.
January 11, 2021
Quick audio listen was ok nothing marvellous
Read
December 15, 2022DNF at 12%
No slight, just not for me
No slight, just not for me
December 27, 2022
Very British, b but lots of fun.
December 20, 2017
Thank you Netgalley for this review copy.
I'd love to say that this was an almost perfect book to get you in the mood for Christmas - unfortunately it wasn't. I have to admit that I felt a bit low and sad after reading this as Christmas's described in this book were a little bit depressing and the author was a little bit condescending in parts of the book. There were a few humourous stories but nothing that I would remember
I'd love to say that this was an almost perfect book to get you in the mood for Christmas - unfortunately it wasn't. I have to admit that I felt a bit low and sad after reading this as Christmas's described in this book were a little bit depressing and the author was a little bit condescending in parts of the book. There were a few humourous stories but nothing that I would remember
December 31, 2020
This is the first book I've read from Nina Stibbe. Really like her style and humour, will definitely read her novels.
April 10, 2019
This book is straight bonkers. I can't tell if it's because it's British, and British humor sometimes escapes me, but sometimes I just had to stop and read passages aloud to my husband. Initially, the cover drew me in, as I'm a sucker for anything holiday-related. There were definitely vignettes included that fell flat for me, but other passages were laugh-out-loud hilarious. Truthfully, I had to do a bit of Googling to understand the references, occasionally, but oh well; if nothing else, I now know what a "ha-ha wall" is.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews