Christmas Ideals 2014 Paperback – October 1, 2014

This is the 70th anniversary edition of Christmas Ideals. The founder Van B. Hooper is quoted as saying in 1944, "Ideals is a book of old-fashioned ideals, homey philosophy, poetry, music, inspiration, and art--things some of us may have overlooked during these busy days." Yes, it is, but Mr. Hooper was being modest. Ideals issues are spectacularly beautiful anthologies of poems, prose, and wonderful full-page colored photographs and paintings. The modern issues are thinner than those of the forties and fifties and they contain fewer poems and more stories, essays, and recipes. But the spirit and purpose of the publication have not changed. This issue includes "Long, Long Ago," one of my very favorite Christmas poems, and I also especially enjoyed "There'll Always Be Christmas" by Edna Jaques, "Christmas" by Frances Minturn Howard, and "Hodgepodge Tree" by Louise Pugh Corder. I was fascinated by the story of how Longfellow came to write the poem that became the carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." Of the illustrations, I particularly liked the paintings of a moonlit village in the horse and buggy days, a family greeting the grandparents before Christmas dinner, a Christmas tree and piles of presents between two sofas, and skaters on a pond below snowy peaks and pine trees. If you are not familiar with Ideals, this is the perfect issue to make your acquaintance, and if you are familiar with them, you won't want to miss this one. Enjoy it!

I have always loved Ideals Holiday magazines, since I was a child. MY mother used to get them for Thanksgiving and Christmas every year. As a single father I used to read from this to my daughter on Christmas eve. She loved the beautiful pictures which went along with the Christmas story. It is an old fashioned taste of Christmas. I am so sorry that the Thanksgiving one has been discontinued and I wish it would be brought back.

Definitely met our expectations! So pleased with the magazine (as we have always been), and we lovesharing those Christmas Ideals with friends from 40 to 97 years old. Of course, they are appropriate for any adult, andchildren love to hear the stories and poems and songs and/or eat the products of the recipes and look at the great pictures.Our family has enjoyed giving these for more years than we can remember.

I do not read this book until December 6. It is a St. Nicholas gift to myself. However, since it is a new book, I can see it is in new condition. Also, the Ideals books are always beautiful. It is always a wholesome book and can be enjoyed by all age groups. It really expresses the true meaning of Christmas. I have been collecting them since 1947.

Ideals magazines have sweet stories and lovely traditional poetry that my mother and I enjoy reading. I'm so glad I found this lovely Christmas issue.

I collect Ideals and this one was an anniversary edition. I was not disappointed. It brings back memories of my childhood since my Grandmother got these on a regular basis and I read them cover to cover when growing up.

Christmas Ideals is one of the most beautiful books ever made. I look forward to the Christmas one every year. I wish they made aThanksgiving book. Wonderful book everyone would enjoy, I encourage everyone to purchase this.

Always look forward to Ideals magazines and this one is very nice. Arrived within time frame and in good packaging. Will continue to order any new Idea magazines as they are published.

I grew up with these books. What is amazing and wonderful about the Ideal Christmas series is that it hasn't changed at all. I will now continue to purchase these yearly.

have enjoyed ideals since school days now i order it as a pre christmas treat for my sisters and myself excellent