Gaston Library discussion

While our holiday gatherings may be smaller this year, we can still find creative and fun ways to celebrate the season! Check out these great books to bring some holiday cheer!

Christmas Entertaining by Georgeanne Brennan
"Christmas Entertaining Christmas is a time for entertaining, and for the host that means hours spent planning, shopping, cooking, and decorating the house. With a good guidebook in hand, the work of holiday entertaining can be one of the joys of the season. In Williams-Sonoma Christmas Entertaining, you'll discover everything you need to know." (Goodreads)


Festive Holiday Recipes: 103 Must-Make Dishes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve Everyone Will Love by Addie Gundry
"In Festive Holiday Recipes, Food Network star Addie Gundry offers easy, delightful holiday recipes all in one place for everyone looking for that last minute recipe for entertaining. There's a reason it's called the most wonderful time of the year. From easy appetizers for holiday and New Year's Eve entertaining, like Caramelized Onion Tartlets, to recipes for The Best Roast Turkey and all your favorite sides, pies, and even leftover ideas, this book is a home cook's trusty sous chef for easy and elegant entertaining throughout the holiday season." (Goodreads)


The 12 Days of Christmas Cookbook 2015 Edition: The Ultimate in Effortless Holiday Entertaining by Nanette Anderson
"Wonderfully unique, The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookbook: 2105 Edition will delight your taste buds and make your Christmas season even merrier! Featuring tasty recipes organized into fun categories including “Breads a Rising,” “Soups a Simmering,” “Sides a Steaming, and “Kids a Cooking,” this big book has you covered for the entire Christmas season and beyond" (Goodreads)


Country Living Christmas at Home: Holiday Decorating – Crafts – Recipes by Country Living
"Have yourself a merry little Country Living Christmas with this gorgeous guide to decorating, cooking, and celebrating the best holiday ever!" (Goodreads)


The Gingerbread Book: 54 Cookie-Construction Projects for Party Centerpieces and Holiday Decorations, 117 Full-Sized Patterns, Plans for 18 Structures, Over 100 Color Photos, Recipes, Cookie Shapes, Children's Projects, History, and Step-by-Step How-To's by Allen D. Bragdon
"This book provides life size patterns and an entire section entitled, Basic Skills, to help any beginner start decorating in no time. With over a 154 color photos and simple instructions, the book is fun and easy to follow. This guide will show you how easy it can be to create your very own gingerbread masterpiece. Quick, cookie-constructions like The Monsters’ Picnic and charming period pieces like The Christmas Carolers can be made with edible gingerbread or modeling clay to be passed down from generation to generation. The options are endless!" (Goodreads)


An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Sweet Traditions for Hearth and Home by Ellen Stimson
"With its trademark snow, piney forests, sleigh rides and woodsmoke curling out of village chimneys, New England was practically invented for the Christmas postcard. It’s got your Christmas goose and the maple syrup with which to glaze it. It’s most of the reason author Ellen Stimson made Vermont her home. Here she shares recipes that have been in her family for generations, mixes up a cocktail or two, and invites readers to make their own traditions." (Goodreads)


A Literary Holiday Cookbook: Festive Meals for the Snow Queen, Gandalf, Sherlock, Scrooge, and Book Lovers Everywhere by Alison Walsh
"For fans of Little Women, The Chronicles of Narnia, A Christmas Carol, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and more, a literature-inspired cookbook for voracious readers during the festive holiday season." (Goodreads)


Debbie Macomber's Christmas Cookbook: Favorite Recipes and Holiday Traditions from My Home to Yours by Debbie Macomber
"We call her the "Official Storyteller of Christmas"—but Debbie Macomber is more than that. She's someone who loves the holiday and all its traditions. Now she shares more than one hundred of her favorite recipes to help you enjoy this most joyous of seasons. You'll also find easy-to-follow instructions for crafts, decorations and gift wrapping—everything you need to create a beautiful and festive holiday." (Goodreads)


"Merry & Bright * 301 Festive Ideas for Celebrating Christmas * by Country Living


The Best Christmas Ever: Festive Food, Gifts and Decorations to Give and Enjoy by Pamela Westland
"Planning and preparing the perfect christmas, with step-by-step instructions and ideas for beautiful gifts, decorations and festive recipes for the season. Featuring gifts to make, christmas cards, wrapping and decorations. Traditional recipes and delicious new ideas for the best-ever Christmas dinner. Includes fun projects and recipes especially for the kids."
(Goodreads)


Sweet Christmas by Sharon Bowers
"Sweet Christmas puts the holidays back into the family kitchen with 100 recipes and projects for holiday treats for parents and children to make together. The recipes are easy to make, don’t require special equipment, and are accompanied by lush color photographs." (Goodreads)


I'm Dreaming of a Chocolate Christmas by Marcel Dusaulniers
"The cookbook that combines two of everyone's favorite things—chocolate and Christmas!This is the perfect holiday baking guide, packed with 72 seductive and decadent chocolate recipes. Offering perfect inspiration for chocolate lovers and holiday do-it-yourselfers, the book includes tips and advice on ingredients and cooking techniques, as well as on packaging and shipping holiday food gifts." (Goodreads)


Delish a Home-Baked Christmas: 56 Delicious Cookies, Cakes & Gifts from Your Kitchen by The Editors of Delish
"From a magnificent Gingerbread House and Mini Christmas Puddings to beautiful centerpieces and edible gifts, this luscious collection from Delish.com has recipes for everybody's favorite holiday treats! Christmas will be especially merry with these thoughtful, beautiful, and tasty treasures, all presented in lavish and whimsical illustrations. With everything triple-tested for assured success, this will become an indispensable source of cherished family memories." (Goodreads)


Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities by Nigella Lawson
"Nigella Christmas comprises reliable, practical, easy-to-follow recipes and inspiring and reassuring advice, presented in a gorgeous package that will make this the ultimate gift to yourself, your family and friends." (Goodreads)