Description
Celebrating signature gifts of the season, Splendor of Christmas: English, French, and American Holiday Style bids readers to experience the unique character of festivities in countries that perennially enchant readers of Victoria. Come alongside the magazine’s editors as we travel to notable destinations—strolling cobbled streets where old-world beauty lends timeless allure to today’s sojourns. From cozy cottage to grand estates, well-appointed interiors dressed for Yuletide welcome guests with exuberant attention to detail. Step inside historic homes and private havens, all trimmed to perfection, for an insider’s look at the treasured traditions enjoyed this time of year. This volume also provides a guide to festive entertaining, including a wealth of recipes that bring to the table distinctive tastes of British, Gallic, and American
During the luminous Yuletide season, wonderment abounds across the globe. Gather inspiration from the brightest destinations as we sojourn across Europe and the United States exploring Christmas traditions and customs from locations dear to our hearts in Splendor of Christmas: English, French, and American Holiday Style.
We begin by reveling in the holiday celebrations of England, where we sip a steaming blend at Fortnum and Mason, wander the magnificent halls of Highclere Castle and other cherished estates, and find repose in a quaint, cozy cottage. Signature fare includes a feast fit for a beloved author and a delectable teatime menu. Then we explore the festive traditions of France. A stroll through the City of Light provides opportunities to sample macarons at the famed pâtisserie Ladurée and to discover brocante finds that bring a certain je ne sais quoi to interiors. French recipes—including one for the most darling Bûche de Noël— lend Gallic charm to an elegant menu perfect for Christmas Eve.
Finally, affection for hearth and home beckons us to the United States, where we consider our nation’s classic Christmas customs at estates such as Biltmore and Mount Vernon and take in the simple joys of centuries past in Williamsburg, Virginia. Sparkling white landscapes take our breath away in New England, we trim the tree with ornaments from the White House Historical Association, and a traditional Christmastide repast brings cheer to tables surrounded by family and friends. Wherever the holidays find you—on distant shores or within the comfort of home—we hope Splendor of Christmas adds radiance to this cherished season.
