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A Very British Christmas: Twelve Days of Discomfort and Joy
Have Yourself a Very British Christmas is a twelve-stage sleigh ride through the best, worst, strangest and funniest aspects of the Christmas holiday, with cultural icons saluted, national habits dissected and personal reminiscences from those who’ve eaten all the mince pies and lived to tell the tale.
The essential Christmas stocking filler for every Brit who’s ever found themselves on a deflating air bed in their parents’ spare room wedged up against the washing machine come Christmas Eve and wondering why this Christmas, just like every year, doesn’t look like the ones on the telly.
The essential Christmas stocking filler for every Brit who’s ever found themselves on a deflating air bed in their parents’ spare room wedged up against the washing machine come Christmas Eve and wondering why this Christmas, just like every year, doesn’t look like the ones on the telly.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published November 2, 2017
About the author
Rhodri Marsden
7 books6 followersWriter, Musician, Author, Musical Director, Producer, Composer, Copywriter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 27, 2021
Listened to in audio format.
Although I love sickly sweet christmas books, towards the end of December I do suffer from Christmas fatigue. A Very British Christmas was the perfect anti-Christmas book to bring me back down to earth.
This was an hilarious book about a typical British Christmas which definitely struck a cord with me. I enjoyed the reminiscences from other people at the end of each chapter.
This book would be perfect as a secret Santa present for any bah humbugs.
Although I love sickly sweet christmas books, towards the end of December I do suffer from Christmas fatigue. A Very British Christmas was the perfect anti-Christmas book to bring me back down to earth.
This was an hilarious book about a typical British Christmas which definitely struck a cord with me. I enjoyed the reminiscences from other people at the end of each chapter.
This book would be perfect as a secret Santa present for any bah humbugs.
Read
December 5, 2017A wry, witty and poignant exploration of the small oddities which make a British Christmas, taking in both the national stuff that baffles other countries (nobody else understands crackers, and really, why would they?) and the idiosyncratic family traditions that even baffle the neighbours. It really captures the way that Christmas is always poised between expectation and nostalgia, and almost entirely without a now. I've got a weird Christmas coming up this year myself, so there was something very reassuring about being reminded that "If Christmas wasn't a bit weird, it wouldn't feel like Christmas at all."
Declaration of interest: I do know Rhodri, and some of his contributors here. But if anything that should probably make me harder on this, given his inexplicably not including anything I said on social media about my family's weird tree decorations, which obviously are objectively the best weird tree decorations (I'm going to miss Glam Rock Santa this year). Also, this was a Netgalley advance copy, though I didn't read it in advance, because who reads Christmas books before December?
Declaration of interest: I do know Rhodri, and some of his contributors here. But if anything that should probably make me harder on this, given his inexplicably not including anything I said on social media about my family's weird tree decorations, which obviously are objectively the best weird tree decorations (I'm going to miss Glam Rock Santa this year). Also, this was a Netgalley advance copy, though I didn't read it in advance, because who reads Christmas books before December?
December 7, 2017
*Disclaimed: I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Anyone who knows me will know that I absolutely adore Christmas and this book epitomises all of the weird and wonderful things that I love about the season. From the Christmas music, to food, to the commercialisation, to the quirky things that have become family traditions, Rhodri Marsden has managed to capture the nostalgia of Christmas whilst providing enough facts to make me feel that I've learned something having read this.
I really enjoyed all of the memories that were included from people all over the country as it shows the diversity of the Christmas experience. Overall I really enjoyed this book and it has made me feel even more excited for Christmas. I would recommend this book but I feel that you would definitely get more out of it if you grew up in or have lived in Britain as it is all about the traditions and customs here, barely mentioning other countries.
Anyone who knows me will know that I absolutely adore Christmas and this book epitomises all of the weird and wonderful things that I love about the season. From the Christmas music, to food, to the commercialisation, to the quirky things that have become family traditions, Rhodri Marsden has managed to capture the nostalgia of Christmas whilst providing enough facts to make me feel that I've learned something having read this.
I really enjoyed all of the memories that were included from people all over the country as it shows the diversity of the Christmas experience. Overall I really enjoyed this book and it has made me feel even more excited for Christmas. I would recommend this book but I feel that you would definitely get more out of it if you grew up in or have lived in Britain as it is all about the traditions and customs here, barely mentioning other countries.
December 31, 2017
Absolutely loved this book! Great reading all the little bits about other people’s Christmas experiences. A fabulous book to read at Christmas time or indeed at anytime.
November 22, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publishers for this review copy, given in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book detailing all the little things we do to celebrate Christmas. It’s jam packed full of stories and anecdotes from Santa visiting to the traditional Christmas feast. The anecdotes and stories are dotted in between little bits of history around Christmas and why we do what we do at this time of year.
For me, I would prefer more personal stories and anecdotes rather than the history. Some of the stories are heartbreaking, reminiscing on the sadder times of Christmas. Some of them are hilariously funny! A great book to have around on the run up to Christmas or to fill a loved one’s stocking with!
Three stars!
This is a book detailing all the little things we do to celebrate Christmas. It’s jam packed full of stories and anecdotes from Santa visiting to the traditional Christmas feast. The anecdotes and stories are dotted in between little bits of history around Christmas and why we do what we do at this time of year.
For me, I would prefer more personal stories and anecdotes rather than the history. Some of the stories are heartbreaking, reminiscing on the sadder times of Christmas. Some of them are hilariously funny! A great book to have around on the run up to Christmas or to fill a loved one’s stocking with!
Three stars!
December 14, 2017
A light- hearted look at how we British celebrate Christmas, interspersed with anecdotes from different people, some of which are funny and some heartbreakingly sad.
Well worth the read in the run up to the festive season.
Well worth the read in the run up to the festive season.
December 31, 2022
A clever mix of fact, humour, farce, tradition, tension, pathos and emotional repression that could be an uncomfortable read in the run-up to Christmas when anticipation of family reunions is high (much of this book could be considered a party pooper) but comes into its own after the family have departed and you can enjoy speed reading your way through a multitude of Christmas celebrations before new year. Lots to smile about.
November 25, 2023
Very funny book about Brits at Christmas. Loved that the book had lots of stories from lots of different types of British families. It made me laugh out loud more than once. A great choice for a seasonal read!
Read
April 9, 2018Very funny.
December 21, 2018
3.75 I laughed out loud a lot
December 9, 2019
3.5 stars
January 9, 2021
This was a funny book to read, during a most unusual Covid-Christmas season. It reminded me of the silly, awkward, lovely customs we all hold, be it in the UK or all over the world. If nothing else, it serves to see we are all indiscriminately happy and miserable at Christmas time.
January 2, 2022
Not for me, it's a series of disjointed thoughts, sorry I prefer a story which flows
November 23, 2017
REVIEW
I always try to read a few Christmas themed books in November/December in an attempt to get into the "Christmas-sey mood" so I was looking for an appropriate book to read and review when I found this one. As I am British I was interested to see what Christmas rituals and traditions are thought of as British in origin. I also thought it would be interesting to compare some of my families traditions to those featured in the book.
The cover is in a "festive" red colour and the book title is presented in way that makes it kind of represent a Christmas Tree. At the very top of the "A" there is an ornament, perhaps a homemade Fairy or Angel. There's the addition of a Santa's hat on top of the letter "S". Under the title and byline there's a rather disheveled looking family squashed onto a sofa in various states of "Christmas Cheer"! There's also the somewhat regulatory scattering of Christmas wrap we all end up with all over the floor! It's a fantastic visual of the typical British Christmas home at around 3pm or 4pm on Christmas Day! The byline reads "Twelve Days Of Discomfort And Joy" which I think if we are being totally honest about the festive season we all have a few times during Christmas that we have a tad more discomfort than the joy we were hoping for! I think the cover is a fun one which represents the book well and it is a rather "tongue in cheek" look at some families Christmas traditions! There are also quotes about the book from India Knight and Al Murray. Though these types of quotes are my pet hate on book covers, I guess the one from Al Murray made me a little more eager to read the book as I do find some of his comedy quite good. I would just rather have the celeb or author quotes on the back cover or the inside cover, but I totally understand why they are used and placed on the front covers.
The genre's I have seen listed for this book are Non-Fiction and Entertainment, hmm well the book is non-fiction although you could imagine some of the stories being written for comedy sketches! The entertainment label fits well as I did find reading the book entertaining. I would also add humour to the genre listings as in parts the book has you laughing.
My favourite parts of the book were the other peoples stories that they had shared with Rhodri. Rhodri links into the individual stories and quotes really well. I think the first thing I noticed that made me laugh was the contents listing.....and yes I did end up singing it out loud to the correct tune of The Twelve Days Of Christmas of course!
The contents listings included, 12 Twelve gifts unwrapping, 9 Nine journeys trekking, 5 Five broken limbs. In place of "A partridge in a pear tree" is "And a nice fibre optic tree"! The whole contents list really made me laugh out loud.
Another statement I really identified with was "However hard we might wish it, Christmas doesn't automatically shower good times upon us" I think everyone will recognise this aspect of Christmas. We will all have had the oh so high expectations of how we wanted things to flow and planned for everything only to have it all go wrong on the actually day.
One of the most enjoyable bits of this book together was to talk about Christmas with people of other faiths, such as those people who might observe Hanukkah, Diwali or Mawlid yet they still "do Christmas" too! Perhaps not in reverence to Jesus and his birth but because they like the other aspects that celebrating Christmas brings, such as the family gathering, the food, and the present giving. It's like you don't need to be celebrating the birth of Jesus to enjoy watching the Christmas Top of The Pops Show. Christmas is also about gathering together, becoming more unified and enjoying somethings together.
In this modern age families perhaps no longer all come together on a Sunday for the whole eating together as a family, some people will probably be working or be unable to make it every week. Whereas at Christmas we seem to make that little bit more effort, or maybe we are guilt tripped that little more to give in and agree to the large family get together.
This book also informs the reader that Christmas cards only started as a tradition in the mid nineteenth century, yet it is one the majority of people eagerly follow in the present day. Then there's newer things like the "Secret Santa" gift at work. Everyone agrees a price limit, say £5 or maybe £10 and all those participating have their names put into a hat and you draw someone and you buy the £5 or £10 gift for that one person rather than your whole workplace. I've taken part in a few of these and they can be quite funny, though it can be difficult if you draw someone you don't know very well to have to think of an appropriate gift for within the price range.
I'm sure I am not alone in dreading all the gift wrapping?! A lady called Julie Gubbay is quoted in the book as saying " A lot of the skill of present wrapping is down to patience". To be honest I have to do more than one session of wrapping as I get so irritated and stuck up with the cellotape if I try to persevere and do them all in one session! Some store offer gift wrapping, usually at an extra charge. Some even offer wrapping free!
Another thing covered in the book is the "lets not offend anyone attitude". So as not to offend non Christians we should refer to Christmas as Winterval, Christmas Lights should be called Winter Night Lights, Mince Pies known as Winter delicacies and finally Christmas it self should just be called End of December. I guess this could be controversial but I believe in the old traditional names and references so Christmas, Christmas Lights, Christmas Carols, Mince Pies etc etc. If you don't want to celebrate then fine don't but you shouldn't be allowed to dictate about a Christian Christmas simply because you or your religion doesn't recognise it! I mean in these progressive days and multiple different religions we "Christians" can wish others Happy Diwali, or Happy Hannukah can't we? We all have to co-exist in this world. It just irritates me when people try to say someone else is wrong for celebrating Christmas. I think people seem to forget Christmas is a religious festival for Christians.
I agree that over the years Christmas has become more and more commercialized and we seem to be encouraged to spend spend spend irregardless of whether we have the money, or can afford to do so. I have worked in a couple of retail organisations, one was both a rental and retail store called Choice Video. Initially it was a place where you could rent a video. . . yes video and then later a dvd or games such as playstation or nintendo games for anything from a couple of nights to a week. The people that would come in on the 22nd or 23rd of December and couldn't understand why you couldn't order a specific games console or even a certain dvd for them and have it by the 24th December.
I also experienced similar when I worked for WHSmiths, I could and would work on any department I was needed on. We did late nights to allow those who worked could call by after work, we would advertise that if it wasn't in stock we could order it. There was even a little Christmas brochure to hand out that could be ordered from and still on Christmas Eve you could guarantee being asked by an annoyed, indignant, customer why you didn't have X,Y, Z, in stock? Didn't we know it was Christmas? I would finish work with steam literally coming out of my ears from being shouted at by irate customers. Then there's the last minute shoppers who either want something they fleetingly saw on TV that would come in asking for Customer: That book they advertised on This Morning yesterday......Me: hmmm I was at work so have no idea can you give me more details? Customer: Yes it had a blue cover! Or the very last minute gift/bargain hunters, clueless about what to buy . . Customer: What can I get my father in law? Me: A Book? A CD? A DVD? Customer: I don't know what would you buy him? Me: (Inwardly screaming). Or they'd want the latest bestseller and want to know why you had no stock of it left at 5 minutes to closing time on Christmas Eve. And no it wasn't appropriate for me to point out we had had this best selling book in stock since the last week of November, and they'd had a month to purchase it!!
The thing is I think most people can find something they love about Christmas.....the music they used to listen to with their mum when they were kids, the baking round at grandmothers or putting the Christmas Tree up together as a family.
I think one of the aims of this book was to make us all a little nostalgic and yep it worked. I went from laughing at Christmas mess ups, gritting my teeth remembering working in retail at Christmas to remembering watching Morecambe & Wise with my grandparents every year. As well as getting misty eyed and sighing at the memories of watching either The Wizard of Oz, The Sound Of Music, Mary Poppins or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with my Grandparents at Boxing Day tea eating salmon sandwiches, pork pie and pickled onions! This book sure made me wish we could wind back time to revisit those happier times again.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing this book were that "This book can make you laugh, tear up and sigh whilst looking back at Christmas past with that nostalgic feeling you sure didn't feel at the time!"
So whether you are looking for something to get you into the Christmas mood, or are already irritated and feel like a little laugh at others disastrous Christmas efforts, or feel like reading about "British Christmas Traditions" then this is the book for you!
Oh and if you are stuck for a gift for that one person who has everything (you know the one I mean) you could always buy them this book as a gift!
I always try to read a few Christmas themed books in November/December in an attempt to get into the "Christmas-sey mood" so I was looking for an appropriate book to read and review when I found this one. As I am British I was interested to see what Christmas rituals and traditions are thought of as British in origin. I also thought it would be interesting to compare some of my families traditions to those featured in the book.
The cover is in a "festive" red colour and the book title is presented in way that makes it kind of represent a Christmas Tree. At the very top of the "A" there is an ornament, perhaps a homemade Fairy or Angel. There's the addition of a Santa's hat on top of the letter "S". Under the title and byline there's a rather disheveled looking family squashed onto a sofa in various states of "Christmas Cheer"! There's also the somewhat regulatory scattering of Christmas wrap we all end up with all over the floor! It's a fantastic visual of the typical British Christmas home at around 3pm or 4pm on Christmas Day! The byline reads "Twelve Days Of Discomfort And Joy" which I think if we are being totally honest about the festive season we all have a few times during Christmas that we have a tad more discomfort than the joy we were hoping for! I think the cover is a fun one which represents the book well and it is a rather "tongue in cheek" look at some families Christmas traditions! There are also quotes about the book from India Knight and Al Murray. Though these types of quotes are my pet hate on book covers, I guess the one from Al Murray made me a little more eager to read the book as I do find some of his comedy quite good. I would just rather have the celeb or author quotes on the back cover or the inside cover, but I totally understand why they are used and placed on the front covers.
The genre's I have seen listed for this book are Non-Fiction and Entertainment, hmm well the book is non-fiction although you could imagine some of the stories being written for comedy sketches! The entertainment label fits well as I did find reading the book entertaining. I would also add humour to the genre listings as in parts the book has you laughing.
My favourite parts of the book were the other peoples stories that they had shared with Rhodri. Rhodri links into the individual stories and quotes really well. I think the first thing I noticed that made me laugh was the contents listing.....and yes I did end up singing it out loud to the correct tune of The Twelve Days Of Christmas of course!
The contents listings included, 12 Twelve gifts unwrapping, 9 Nine journeys trekking, 5 Five broken limbs. In place of "A partridge in a pear tree" is "And a nice fibre optic tree"! The whole contents list really made me laugh out loud.
Another statement I really identified with was "However hard we might wish it, Christmas doesn't automatically shower good times upon us" I think everyone will recognise this aspect of Christmas. We will all have had the oh so high expectations of how we wanted things to flow and planned for everything only to have it all go wrong on the actually day.
One of the most enjoyable bits of this book together was to talk about Christmas with people of other faiths, such as those people who might observe Hanukkah, Diwali or Mawlid yet they still "do Christmas" too! Perhaps not in reverence to Jesus and his birth but because they like the other aspects that celebrating Christmas brings, such as the family gathering, the food, and the present giving. It's like you don't need to be celebrating the birth of Jesus to enjoy watching the Christmas Top of The Pops Show. Christmas is also about gathering together, becoming more unified and enjoying somethings together.
In this modern age families perhaps no longer all come together on a Sunday for the whole eating together as a family, some people will probably be working or be unable to make it every week. Whereas at Christmas we seem to make that little bit more effort, or maybe we are guilt tripped that little more to give in and agree to the large family get together.
This book also informs the reader that Christmas cards only started as a tradition in the mid nineteenth century, yet it is one the majority of people eagerly follow in the present day. Then there's newer things like the "Secret Santa" gift at work. Everyone agrees a price limit, say £5 or maybe £10 and all those participating have their names put into a hat and you draw someone and you buy the £5 or £10 gift for that one person rather than your whole workplace. I've taken part in a few of these and they can be quite funny, though it can be difficult if you draw someone you don't know very well to have to think of an appropriate gift for within the price range.
I'm sure I am not alone in dreading all the gift wrapping?! A lady called Julie Gubbay is quoted in the book as saying " A lot of the skill of present wrapping is down to patience". To be honest I have to do more than one session of wrapping as I get so irritated and stuck up with the cellotape if I try to persevere and do them all in one session! Some store offer gift wrapping, usually at an extra charge. Some even offer wrapping free!
Another thing covered in the book is the "lets not offend anyone attitude". So as not to offend non Christians we should refer to Christmas as Winterval, Christmas Lights should be called Winter Night Lights, Mince Pies known as Winter delicacies and finally Christmas it self should just be called End of December. I guess this could be controversial but I believe in the old traditional names and references so Christmas, Christmas Lights, Christmas Carols, Mince Pies etc etc. If you don't want to celebrate then fine don't but you shouldn't be allowed to dictate about a Christian Christmas simply because you or your religion doesn't recognise it! I mean in these progressive days and multiple different religions we "Christians" can wish others Happy Diwali, or Happy Hannukah can't we? We all have to co-exist in this world. It just irritates me when people try to say someone else is wrong for celebrating Christmas. I think people seem to forget Christmas is a religious festival for Christians.
I agree that over the years Christmas has become more and more commercialized and we seem to be encouraged to spend spend spend irregardless of whether we have the money, or can afford to do so. I have worked in a couple of retail organisations, one was both a rental and retail store called Choice Video. Initially it was a place where you could rent a video. . . yes video and then later a dvd or games such as playstation or nintendo games for anything from a couple of nights to a week. The people that would come in on the 22nd or 23rd of December and couldn't understand why you couldn't order a specific games console or even a certain dvd for them and have it by the 24th December.
I also experienced similar when I worked for WHSmiths, I could and would work on any department I was needed on. We did late nights to allow those who worked could call by after work, we would advertise that if it wasn't in stock we could order it. There was even a little Christmas brochure to hand out that could be ordered from and still on Christmas Eve you could guarantee being asked by an annoyed, indignant, customer why you didn't have X,Y, Z, in stock? Didn't we know it was Christmas? I would finish work with steam literally coming out of my ears from being shouted at by irate customers. Then there's the last minute shoppers who either want something they fleetingly saw on TV that would come in asking for Customer: That book they advertised on This Morning yesterday......Me: hmmm I was at work so have no idea can you give me more details? Customer: Yes it had a blue cover! Or the very last minute gift/bargain hunters, clueless about what to buy . . Customer: What can I get my father in law? Me: A Book? A CD? A DVD? Customer: I don't know what would you buy him? Me: (Inwardly screaming). Or they'd want the latest bestseller and want to know why you had no stock of it left at 5 minutes to closing time on Christmas Eve. And no it wasn't appropriate for me to point out we had had this best selling book in stock since the last week of November, and they'd had a month to purchase it!!
The thing is I think most people can find something they love about Christmas.....the music they used to listen to with their mum when they were kids, the baking round at grandmothers or putting the Christmas Tree up together as a family.
I think one of the aims of this book was to make us all a little nostalgic and yep it worked. I went from laughing at Christmas mess ups, gritting my teeth remembering working in retail at Christmas to remembering watching Morecambe & Wise with my grandparents every year. As well as getting misty eyed and sighing at the memories of watching either The Wizard of Oz, The Sound Of Music, Mary Poppins or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with my Grandparents at Boxing Day tea eating salmon sandwiches, pork pie and pickled onions! This book sure made me wish we could wind back time to revisit those happier times again.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing this book were that "This book can make you laugh, tear up and sigh whilst looking back at Christmas past with that nostalgic feeling you sure didn't feel at the time!"
So whether you are looking for something to get you into the Christmas mood, or are already irritated and feel like a little laugh at others disastrous Christmas efforts, or feel like reading about "British Christmas Traditions" then this is the book for you!
Oh and if you are stuck for a gift for that one person who has everything (you know the one I mean) you could always buy them this book as a gift!
January 2, 2023
This is a book detailing all the little things we do to celebrate Christmas. It’s jam packed full of stories and anecdotes from Santa visiting to the traditional Christmas feast. The anecdotes and stories are dotted in between little bits of history around Christmas and why we do what we do at this time of year.
As I am British I was interested to see what Christmas rituals and traditions are thought of as British in origin. I also thought it would be interesting to compare some of my families traditions to those featured in the book.
It reminded me of the silly, awkward, lovely customs we all hold, particularly in the UK. If nothing else, it serves to see we are all indiscriminately happy and miserable at Christmas time.
Ultimately though, this wasn’t for me and it’s not the type of genre I would pick up again. This book was too much a series of disjointed thoughts and didn’t really flow.
As I am British I was interested to see what Christmas rituals and traditions are thought of as British in origin. I also thought it would be interesting to compare some of my families traditions to those featured in the book.
It reminded me of the silly, awkward, lovely customs we all hold, particularly in the UK. If nothing else, it serves to see we are all indiscriminately happy and miserable at Christmas time.
Ultimately though, this wasn’t for me and it’s not the type of genre I would pick up again. This book was too much a series of disjointed thoughts and didn’t really flow.
November 12, 2017
There is a bit of a difference on how we celebrate christmas in Sweden and how they do it in the United Kinggdom.
December 16, 2020
Not sure what to think - parts of this book are really funny and I loved that it had different people's letters in it. Other parts were really dull - pages and pages talking about what song was Christmas number 1 at one time or another. I think this book is mostly for British people who want to feel better about their imperfect Christmases, and not for non-British people who want to learn something about British culture.
December 17, 2018
A Very British Christmas by Rhodri Marsden is a light hearted look at the traditions of a British Christmas.
The book is split into twelve chapters loosely following the twelve days of Christmas but looking at twelve different traditions. Each chapter has anecdotal stories included. Some are highly amusing, some are sad and some are just plain bizarre.
Reading the book, I certainly noticed things we do as a family or that happened in my childhood. I definitely laughed out loud at times. I had a nostalgic look back with the mention of Morecambe And Wise… a staple part of Christmas in the 1970’s.
A Very British Christmas pokes fun at the traditions, showing how we Brits don’t take ourselves too seriously and can laugh at some of the things we do. It’s all very good natured. At times there is language some readers may not like.
A Very British Christmas is great to relive your past and chortle at some of our Christmas traditions and activities.
The book is split into twelve chapters loosely following the twelve days of Christmas but looking at twelve different traditions. Each chapter has anecdotal stories included. Some are highly amusing, some are sad and some are just plain bizarre.
Reading the book, I certainly noticed things we do as a family or that happened in my childhood. I definitely laughed out loud at times. I had a nostalgic look back with the mention of Morecambe And Wise… a staple part of Christmas in the 1970’s.
A Very British Christmas pokes fun at the traditions, showing how we Brits don’t take ourselves too seriously and can laugh at some of the things we do. It’s all very good natured. At times there is language some readers may not like.
A Very British Christmas is great to relive your past and chortle at some of our Christmas traditions and activities.
December 7, 2017
We all have our Christmas traditions - from the tatty fairy perched at a drunken angle on the top of the tree to the stupid games that must be played on Christmas Day, while partaking of quantities of food and drink that we would find impossible to justify at any other time of year. These are the things that make Christmas special - and so very British. Here Rhodri Marsden looks at examples garnered from friends, family, and the twitterati which illustrate the absurdity of the British Christmas, and the reason we all love it and look forward to it all year.
Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a copy via Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a copy via Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
December 15, 2021
Absolutely bloody loved it. Cheeky, funny, irreverent and deliciously smug, this is a real chocolate box of Christmas themed moaning and groaning: all tied up in the best possible way. Marsden is such a fantastically witty writer, and his collection of anonymous anecdotes from other contributors are excellently curated and connected with his own observations. I love Christmas, but I also love cynicism, so what’s not to like about this tongue in cheek look at how us Brits tend to manage the festive period in our own inimitable way. And just like the fake tree and the age old baubles, I’ll be dusting this one off to read again, next December.
January 2, 2024
An uplifting, charming and funny book about all elements great and horrific about British Christmases. Lovely to read and a treasured gift to remember. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’ve been reciting events and stories from the book to anyone who will listen. It’s so funny I literally wrote the author a thank you note in the middle of the night and had to use a paid message from my LinkedIn account to do so. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates wry British humor or even charming humor or who just needs a good laugh or wants to finally understand the Brits.
December 6, 2017
It was okay, I wish there was more details and more stories than just British Christmases are awkward type of deal. We know they are, give us more details and more in depth stories besides a few just short quips. I want the sights, the sounds, the ability to feel right in the midst of it all. I missed that in this book.
January 4, 2018
Genuinely amusing look at the ridiculous traditions of the ridiculous British at Christmas. Peppered with true life anecdotes and bang on the nose observations, this was the perfect end to a month reading nothing but festively happy endings. I read whole parts of it aloud to my husband, who was sniggering too.
December 9, 2018
This is a really entertaining and funny book and I enjoyed the narrative as well as all the added personal stories from people and their Christmas experiences, both sad, funny and downright weird. Would make a lovely gift for someone or one to treasure on your shelf to read again next year.
December 12, 2018
Perfect fun Christmas read! I love all things British, and this was a funny and informative way to enjoy my favorite topics and learn some new things about my favorite place. This had all my favorites: food, TV, gifts, Christmas stuff! Loved it!
February 27, 2021
So much fun. You'll find yourself wanting to add stories to the stories included here. Then you'll start thinking about spending Christmas in the UK just to see if any of this is for real. #DuvetKnowItsChristmas
December 5, 2017
Made me laugh and laugh out loud. So evocative of Christmases we have all known
December 22, 2017
I enjoyed this book, easy to read, nostalgic and informative. Just right for this time of year.
April 2, 2018
I loved this book and so much of it I can relate to through my own family Highly recommended for a light read over the festive season.
January 20, 2018
hilarious
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews