What do you think?
Rate this book
The Absolute Worst Christmas of All Time
Although COVID-19 has made Christmas the worst holiday ever, somehow it also made it more important. Sean of the South shares anecdotes from his beloved homeland, delivering Christmas stories that are guaranteed to make your heart grow three sizes.
250 pages, Paperback
Published November 24, 2020
183 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Sean Dietrich
36 books1,082 followersSean Dietrich is a columnist, podcaster, speaker, and novelist, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, The Tallahassee Democrat, Good Grit, South Magazine, The Bitter Southerner, Thom Magazine, and The Mobile Press Register, and he has authored ten books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 26, 2021
4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars
First of all, before you see the title and run away as fast as you can, let me assure you the name of this book is highly misleading. It was named so only because it was written in 2020 arguably, because of COVID, the worst Christmas ever for many people that year. Inside the covers, however, you will find a lovely collection of stories that will warm your heart and nourish your soul.
I became aware of Sean Dietrich, also known as Sean of the South, when my Goodreads friend Pam G read his novel The Incredible Winston Browne and deemed it her favorite of the year so far. If you know Pam you know she reads like crazy, having amassed 166 books read this year. So Pam saying a book is a favorite is saying a lot. On her recommendation, I did read The Incredible Winston Browne and had to give a nod to Pam for her astuteness in book selection. Subsequently, when I saw this wackily-titled book, I knew I wanted to read it, no matter what.
Sean writes with his heart and gifts us a plethora of anecdotes that reflect the essence of the true spirit of kindness. His subjects are his family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers who he has come across or heard from. His stories are sometimes humorous, often spiritual, and always uplifting. His love for people and their caring ways comes through loud and clear.
Forgiveness, salve for the lonely, the power of song, the importance of family, the mighty influence of Santa, and love for fellow man—even strangers, are some of the themes found in this collection.
Not all the stories involve the winter holidays; therefore, this volume can be read any time of the year. If you are looking for optimism in a world full of uncertainty, which I am sure many of us are right now, please think about picking up a copy of The Absolute Christmas of All Time for a rich, poignant, life-affirming read. Sean also amazingly writes a new story daily that I receive in my email each morning. Just sign up on his website seandietrich.com if you too would like a daily dose of inspiration.
First of all, before you see the title and run away as fast as you can, let me assure you the name of this book is highly misleading. It was named so only because it was written in 2020 arguably, because of COVID, the worst Christmas ever for many people that year. Inside the covers, however, you will find a lovely collection of stories that will warm your heart and nourish your soul.
I became aware of Sean Dietrich, also known as Sean of the South, when my Goodreads friend Pam G read his novel The Incredible Winston Browne and deemed it her favorite of the year so far. If you know Pam you know she reads like crazy, having amassed 166 books read this year. So Pam saying a book is a favorite is saying a lot. On her recommendation, I did read The Incredible Winston Browne and had to give a nod to Pam for her astuteness in book selection. Subsequently, when I saw this wackily-titled book, I knew I wanted to read it, no matter what.
Sean writes with his heart and gifts us a plethora of anecdotes that reflect the essence of the true spirit of kindness. His subjects are his family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers who he has come across or heard from. His stories are sometimes humorous, often spiritual, and always uplifting. His love for people and their caring ways comes through loud and clear.
Forgiveness, salve for the lonely, the power of song, the importance of family, the mighty influence of Santa, and love for fellow man—even strangers, are some of the themes found in this collection.
Not all the stories involve the winter holidays; therefore, this volume can be read any time of the year. If you are looking for optimism in a world full of uncertainty, which I am sure many of us are right now, please think about picking up a copy of The Absolute Christmas of All Time for a rich, poignant, life-affirming read. Sean also amazingly writes a new story daily that I receive in my email each morning. Just sign up on his website seandietrich.com if you too would like a daily dose of inspiration.
December 7, 2020
The perfect book for 2020 --- filled with hope and glimpses of love that we all could use more of during this year of challenges.
Sean Dietrich has done it again. This time he shares stories from previous years that focus on the Christmas season and all that it can be. In true Sean Dietrich style he shares from his heart and from the hearts of those he meets. There are no strangers in this man's life and each encounter is one that leaves a lasting impression on his heart and in turn on his readers' hearts as well.
This is a book to savor. Sure you can read it in one sitting but I like to stretch it out and enjoy each chapter individually. The message is clear. Every single person has a story and worth and that story deserves to be told and shared with others.
I giggled a bit and I cried a lot when reading this book and that is a good thing. During a tough year this is the happiness and the light that we all need to share with one another. Perfect Christmas gift for everyone on my list this year and probably yours as well.
Thank you, Sean, for all of the feels I got from this book. It deserves a place on everyone's coffee table.
Sean Dietrich has done it again. This time he shares stories from previous years that focus on the Christmas season and all that it can be. In true Sean Dietrich style he shares from his heart and from the hearts of those he meets. There are no strangers in this man's life and each encounter is one that leaves a lasting impression on his heart and in turn on his readers' hearts as well.
This is a book to savor. Sure you can read it in one sitting but I like to stretch it out and enjoy each chapter individually. The message is clear. Every single person has a story and worth and that story deserves to be told and shared with others.
I giggled a bit and I cried a lot when reading this book and that is a good thing. During a tough year this is the happiness and the light that we all need to share with one another. Perfect Christmas gift for everyone on my list this year and probably yours as well.
Thank you, Sean, for all of the feels I got from this book. It deserves a place on everyone's coffee table.
January 3, 2021
Yes, it was.
But this book made it a little better. Sean’s words make me laugh, cry, and believe. I am so thankful for this perfectly timed book. Happy New Year!
But this book made it a little better. Sean’s words make me laugh, cry, and believe. I am so thankful for this perfectly timed book. Happy New Year!
September 22, 2025
These were okay. I thought it was a story and not short stories. I could see a small home town newspaper having these snippets in it and people loving them.
December 31, 2023
The author doesn’t try to make life pretty, but somehow he makes it beautiful. He will wrap you up in these stories, as you shed a tear or two.
July 6, 2025
I technically haven’t finished this book yet. I enjoyed the stories so much, that I saved some for this year’s upcoming Christmas season. Not all of the stories are 5 stars, but the ones that are 5 stars are really 5 stars.
November 30, 2021
I love Sean of the South. His writing is so relatable and comforting. A perfect book to get into the Christmas spirit.
January 29, 2023
I picked up this book at a performance Sean Dietrich did at a local library. The title may be deceiving as Dietrich said he was working on the book during Covid. The book is full of the charming stories/essays that Dietrich is well-known for. Dietrich blends his humor and southern charm and ties it all up in a big Christmas bow! A must read and since my copy is autographed- I know this one will be read again next Christmas!
December 29, 2023
"The Absolute Worst Christmas of All Time" by Sean Dietrich is an absolute gem, offering a collection of holiday-themed essays that take readers on a delightful journey through the South. With a keen wit and a remarkable storytelling ability, Dietrich crafts a series of tales that make this book a truly enjoyable and heartwarming read. Without a doubt, this collection deserves a solid 5-star rating.
Dietrich's unique voice captures the essence of the South during the holiday season, bringing to life the warmth, humor, and occasional chaos that characterize this festive time of year. His stories are not just about the celebrations; they are a celebration in themselves, filled with genuine emotion, nostalgia, and a touch of Southern charm.
What sets Dietrich apart is his knack for weaving narratives that resonate with readers on a personal level. His writing style is approachable, inviting readers into the heart of each story. Whether recounting humorous mishaps or sharing poignant moments, the author creates a connection that makes you feel like you're sitting by the fireplace, listening to a seasoned storyteller spin tales of Christmases past.
The title may suggest a disastrous holiday experience, but in reality, Dietrich's collection is a triumph. Each essay is a testament to the enduring spirit of Christmas, even in the face of challenges. The author's ability to find humor and joy in the midst of chaos is both refreshing and uplifting.
For those seeking a festive read that goes beyond the typical holiday fare, "The Absolute Worst Christmas of All Time" is a must-have. Sean Dietrich's gift for storytelling transforms this collection into a heartwarming celebration of the season, earning it a well-deserved 5-star rating.
Dietrich's unique voice captures the essence of the South during the holiday season, bringing to life the warmth, humor, and occasional chaos that characterize this festive time of year. His stories are not just about the celebrations; they are a celebration in themselves, filled with genuine emotion, nostalgia, and a touch of Southern charm.
What sets Dietrich apart is his knack for weaving narratives that resonate with readers on a personal level. His writing style is approachable, inviting readers into the heart of each story. Whether recounting humorous mishaps or sharing poignant moments, the author creates a connection that makes you feel like you're sitting by the fireplace, listening to a seasoned storyteller spin tales of Christmases past.
The title may suggest a disastrous holiday experience, but in reality, Dietrich's collection is a triumph. Each essay is a testament to the enduring spirit of Christmas, even in the face of challenges. The author's ability to find humor and joy in the midst of chaos is both refreshing and uplifting.
For those seeking a festive read that goes beyond the typical holiday fare, "The Absolute Worst Christmas of All Time" is a must-have. Sean Dietrich's gift for storytelling transforms this collection into a heartwarming celebration of the season, earning it a well-deserved 5-star rating.
December 25, 2022
The title is definitely misleading. Overall, I wasn’t impressed nor did I find this comedic as this was advertised as comedic. This has a lot of short stories, so reading was easy to stop. And all stories had a point to them but I kept thinking this would all tie in to being terrible Christmases but was more heart felt. Some stories I couldn’t figure out who we were talking about at first as a lot of description was left out (hence short stories) and sometimes the overall thought drifted off until two sentences til the end of the chapter. I felt like as a reader, I was reading about an inside joke and I was left out? If that makes sense.
I did relate to the authors dry whit and felt like this was a one sided narrative which made me enjoy the stories but I had higher hopes. There were valuable lessons learned about Christmas being the time for giving especially to those less fortunate than you, donating, doing the right thing, etc. I also loved that the author is clearly an Auburn fan and gained massive brownie points with me. War Eagle, buddy. I enjoyed some of the back history of the authors life but was redundant at times - fathers death, clearly a Nat King Cole fan (which I am too), and not having a lot (growing up).
If I could’ve given any feedback as a reader is I wished there had been more overall development and ended with a review or sometime to tie the purpose of all the stories together.
I did relate to the authors dry whit and felt like this was a one sided narrative which made me enjoy the stories but I had higher hopes. There were valuable lessons learned about Christmas being the time for giving especially to those less fortunate than you, donating, doing the right thing, etc. I also loved that the author is clearly an Auburn fan and gained massive brownie points with me. War Eagle, buddy. I enjoyed some of the back history of the authors life but was redundant at times - fathers death, clearly a Nat King Cole fan (which I am too), and not having a lot (growing up).
If I could’ve given any feedback as a reader is I wished there had been more overall development and ended with a review or sometime to tie the purpose of all the stories together.
September 2, 2025
2.75 stars
Maybe reading this out of season impacted my enjoyment. This was published for Christmas 2020, which might not have been the absolute worst Christmas of all time. But I'm sure we can agree that it was an atypical Christmas.
I've read a few Sean of the South collections, and I'm more a fan of earnest stories/essays vs. his forced laughs. These have similar beats as one another with the same attempts at humor (?, I didn't laugh once.).
There are many stories/essays relating to Thanksgiving at the beginning of the collection.
I'm more of a fan of Dietrich's fiction than his non-fiction. I think he needs a better launch than these extremely short essays/stories.
Maybe reading this out of season impacted my enjoyment. This was published for Christmas 2020, which might not have been the absolute worst Christmas of all time. But I'm sure we can agree that it was an atypical Christmas.
I've read a few Sean of the South collections, and I'm more a fan of earnest stories/essays vs. his forced laughs. These have similar beats as one another with the same attempts at humor (?, I didn't laugh once.).
There are many stories/essays relating to Thanksgiving at the beginning of the collection.
I'm more of a fan of Dietrich's fiction than his non-fiction. I think he needs a better launch than these extremely short essays/stories.
January 2, 2023
Before reading this book, I’d never heard of Sean of the South, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. The book’s chapters are very well put together short stories, reminiscent of what you’d read in a small town newspaper column (which totally makes sense because Sean is a columnist). I loved the short, sweet, funny and heartwarming Christmas stories he wrote about. His stories made me laugh and tear up at times. This is a great read to help you get in the Christmas spirit and revive your faith in the goodness of humanity.
December 26, 2025
An Absolutely Joyous Read
This compilation of Sean's Christmas season written columns through the years of his writings is a treasure. The reader will experience a full spectrum of emotions as they progress through the book at breakneck speed. Sean has to be one of the very best writers of this moments in time, and is blessed with a unique ability to connect with and captive his readers.
This compilation of Sean's Christmas season written columns through the years of his writings is a treasure. The reader will experience a full spectrum of emotions as they progress through the book at breakneck speed. Sean has to be one of the very best writers of this moments in time, and is blessed with a unique ability to connect with and captive his readers.
December 31, 2025
4 ⭐️
This collection of Sean’s blogs was made into a book during COVID, hence the title. These are heartwarming stories that don’t all necessarily center around Christmas, but about real people with real problems that showcase all the good in this world. It would be a great book to start reading a few stories at a time around Thanksgiving and ending at New Years. You’ll laugh and cry while making your heart grow.
This collection of Sean’s blogs was made into a book during COVID, hence the title. These are heartwarming stories that don’t all necessarily center around Christmas, but about real people with real problems that showcase all the good in this world. It would be a great book to start reading a few stories at a time around Thanksgiving and ending at New Years. You’ll laugh and cry while making your heart grow.
April 19, 2024
This book was given to me right before a devastating point in my life. I was asking a lot of "what now" questions, and this book gave me peace. It was a bright spot in my morning. The stories made me laugh and cry or just renewed my faith that everything would be Ok. A lot of healing was found between these pages.
July 27, 2024
Such a great storyteller!
This 75 year old grandmother loves Sean Dietrich. I love that he is from the South and writes about it. Though we are years apart in age, he writes of things I experienced growing up. His writing always makes me laugh, cry, think, feel. I strongly recommend reading his books and also his blogs.
This 75 year old grandmother loves Sean Dietrich. I love that he is from the South and writes about it. Though we are years apart in age, he writes of things I experienced growing up. His writing always makes me laugh, cry, think, feel. I strongly recommend reading his books and also his blogs.
June 12, 2021
Human,Heartfelt,Honest
So many times things look bleak and yet someone finds a bright spark to shine and just for a moment things are a little brighter. Thank you Sean for writing about those bright moments!
So many times things look bleak and yet someone finds a bright spark to shine and just for a moment things are a little brighter. Thank you Sean for writing about those bright moments!
December 3, 2021
Read this book. It's not a novel, but excerpts from Sean's editorials. The title doesn't match the contents except to make you realize how blessed you are. You'll feel so many emotions. I will read this every year, maybe more often than that.
December 22, 2022
December cousin book club pick. I really liked this compilation of short stories by Sean from 2020. From Thanksgiving, through Christmas, and ending with a couple New Year's ones- they were funny, sad, heartwarming. A nice easy read for the season.
December 31, 2022
I love this author. And this book was no different. It’s a compilation of stories. Some make you laugh and some make you cry. It’s a great read for a true perspective of the holiday season. It’s one that I could re-read every year.
May 7, 2024
An excellent and uplifting series of columns about the holiday season, sadness, joy, hope, caring, extreme circumstances, and more, suitable for reading any time of year but especially good at Christmas.
December 14, 2020
Sean Dietrich tugs at your heartstrings with his writing, and this book is no different.
The absolute best Christmas book I've ever read.
The absolute best Christmas book I've ever read.
December 26, 2020
This has to be one of the best books I read this year. It was hard to put down. I cried and laughed out loud. Thank you Sean for the perfect Christmas read.
March 7, 2022
Wonderful book.
Funny and touching. It's ok to not be ok. Makes it seem there is still goodness and hope in the world.
Funny and touching. It's ok to not be ok. Makes it seem there is still goodness and hope in the world.
November 17, 2022
A little schmaltzy but also sweet and amusing.
November 21, 2022
This collection of Sean's short stories are all about or around Christmas.
December 25, 2023
I adored this collection of stories. Heartwarming and perfect for Christmas!
January 7, 2024
Always enjoy reading Sean’s stories.
January 17, 2024
If Sean writes it, I’ll read it.
December 28, 2024
Such a good, quick, feel good read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews