Dave Tabler’s Delaware at Christmas is a richly woven tapestry of stories, customs, and curiosities that together create a vibrant portrait of how one small state has celebrated the holiday season through centuries. Moving from the earliest Swedish settlers at Fort Christina to modern multicultural traditions, the book touches on nearly every facet of Christmas life in Delaware. It dives into the origins of local customs, such as the Sankta Lucia Festival, the Feast of the Seven Fishes, and Antebellum Black Christmas celebrations, while also exploring quirkier tales like IBM punch card wreaths and the holly industry in Milton. Along the way, it’s part history lesson, part cultural scrapbook, part gentle ode to the persistence of tradition in the face of change.

I was surprised at how much heart this book carried alongside its historical detail. Tabler doesn’t just list events or describe customs; he breathes life into them. The chapters on lesser-known practices like Finnish straw ornaments, the Irish divide between Protestant and Catholic Christmases, felt like secret treasures I’d stumbled across. His research is evident, yet it never drowns out the warmth of his storytelling. I also enjoyed the contrast between the solemn and the whimsical. One page, you’re deep in the sacred rituals of Orthodox congregations, the next, you’re smiling at the image of a turn-of-the-century Delawarean crafting elaborate outdoor “lawn trees.”

The book’s density might challenge readers expecting a breezy holiday read. The scope means that some chapters feel like they’re just getting started when they move on, and occasionally, the factual richness leaves little room for narrative pause. But in a way, that’s part of its charm. It reads like a holiday buffet where you can sample from dozens of flavors, each with its own texture. I felt my mind wandering in the best possible way, thinking about how each tradition carried its own thread into the present.

Delaware at Christmas is a gift for anyone who loves the intersection of history, culture, and seasonal joy. It will especially appeal to Delawareans, history buffs, and those who enjoy Christmas lore. The images and illustrations on nearly every page bring the stories to life, adding texture and warmth that make the history feel immediate and tangible. This isn’t a book you rush through; it’s one you savor over several evenings.

Pages: 131 | ASIN : B0F4NJ2KTZ