Mrs. Sharp's Traditions: Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations of Comfort & Joy

This is one of the most wonderful books I have ever owned! And I own a whole LOT of them! I have had it since its first publication twenty years ago, and it still delights me to read it. Now my children have grown up and had children of their own; and I have just sent a copy to my daughter-in-law who is expecting a new baby [#4] in the autumn. My only regret is that my children were teenagers when this book first came out. But even so I was often able to take the basic ideas of the seasonal 'joys' and adapt them to their age level.The first section of the book is a spectacular 'review' of how 'normal' life used to be and how to make it that way again. Ideas for mealtimes, bath times, Sunday dinners, keeping life orderly [especially helpful in these hectic times] etc. is advice that will still be practical a hundred years from now.So many ideas are contained in the book that it is impossible to list them all. But I find the attention to each month and season to be genius. Sarah/Mrs.Sharp manages to make appealing even the inclusion of history and old customs, which many of our children of today probably know little or nothing about. This in itself would make the book a great read.Aside from the information and ideas contained in the book, the art work is enchanting! Reminders of a simpler time help to drive home the reality that 'a picture [really] is worth a thousand words'. When I first came upon this book, I, too, was a working mother wondering how to divide my time into equally productive and yet comforting segments. This book filled me with so much joy and creative ideas that it literally changed my life. AND it helped me to grow closer to my children by sharing my time and energy with them.I believe there is a real hunger in 'middle class America' for a return to some sort of sanity in the family circle. If you are looking for a book that will help you find your way back to such a comforting place, or even to introduce you to it for the first time, this is definitely the one. I can't recommend it highly enough. You will not regret your purchase!

I am a fan of Sarah Breathnach and make regular use of her daily affirmations in her book Simple Abundance. This book though is very different from Simple Abundance. She has taken on another identity and written the book as the character "Mrs. Smith". The book pulls traditions from the Victorian Era for just about every holiday and celebratory occasion you can think of, and offers unique ways to create traditions for your family on those occasions. But the tradition setting is not limited to celebratory occasions. She also addresses ways to make otherwise miserable times into pleasantly memorable times such as sick and rainy days. While some of the traditions suggested do seem a little archeaic and old fashioned (which I find to some extent in Simple Abundance), it is a great book if you have young children and want some ideas on really fun, memorable ways to celebrate special occasions.My New Year's resolution was to slow down and live in the moment (to the extent possible for a working mom of three children heavily invovled in extra-curricular activities!)and this book is really a helpful tool in fulfulling that resolution.(I LOVE the book but gave it 4 stars because I also purchased a used copy of an earlier edition of this book which is now out of print which has more stunning illustrations.)

Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote the original version of this book (1990) before she became famous for her Simple Abundance series. The revised version - with the pink cover - came out after she was better known. The premise of the book is that she was reading old Victorian magazines, and wanted to share some of the useful ideas for creative activities. But she also wanted to share those ideas in the context of the Victorian age when "life was simpler" (at least for women whose husbands could afford nice homes, housekeepers, cooks, and gardeners).So she invented a sort of Victorian "Betty Crocker," called Victoriana Sharp, to whom she could attribute many of the ideas and most of the tone of the book. As it turns out, Ban Breathnach introduces quite a few ideas that historically came along well after the end of the Victorian era. But they seem to belong "in context," because they are expressed in a tone that is reminiscent of the Victorian "Dear Reader," approach to writing toward "housewives." This tone may put you off at first, but if you do stumble across the sort of Victorian magazine article Ban Breathnach claims were her sources, you'll find the original much more wordy, cloying, and condescending.You won't many patterns or "how-to's" per se. But each chapter has several pages of suggestions for celebrating one special occasion or another, often accompanied by vintage art. If you get one of these, don't expect to use it as a "handbook" for instant bonding activities. Rather, approach it the way you would approach the trunkload of old magazines Ban Breathnach claims gave her many of the ideas for the book - as if you were doing your own research and this book was simply a useful source. In fact, I believe many fans appreciate, not the ideas or advice, but the recreational aspect of reading - the ability, as it were, to interact with a century-old spokesperson who can not only share, but can also occasionally wink, across the chronological divide.Get a notebook, a pen, an armchair, and good light, and dig in.Paul Race - Family Christmas Online

Wonderful book full of inspiring ideas for families to celebrate the holidays throughout the year. I learned a number of things about how holiday observances in America began which I enjoyed immensely. Highly recommend for anyone interested in making holidays more meaningful.

This book was a joy to read! My best friend since childhood that lives several states away called me a few years ago and said I must read this book. I was a little hesitant to purchase the book as sometimes our reading material does not jive with each other but she was spot on with this recommendation, it truly is a gem.

Great book for inspiration and ideas!

Writing in the voice of the fictional Victorian homemaker and mother of 12 Victoriana Sharp, Ms. Ban Breathnach takes the reader through the year month by month, and describes in detail the type of customs, crafts and celebrations that families in the late 1800s enjoyed. Short essays on the history of different holidays are included, as well as a special poem for each month. Delightful illustrations from the Victorian era decorate each page.Although this book may catalogue the traditions of times past, it was written by a modern author with the goal of providing inspiration to modern families. And that is exactly what it does. Not only was this book a joy to read, it gave me many ideas for new traditions I would like to include in our own family holidays. The book also contains many lovely ideas for family traditions and rituals that are carried out all year round--for example, the author details how to plan a weekly Family Night, how to create calming bedtime rituals, and how to make outings in the country memorable for children.Where holidays are concerned, the book deals with all the ones we are familiar with in North America (including Jewish holidays), as well as several European holidays we may not be familiar with, such as Michaelmas, All Soul's Day, and St. Lucia's Day. The changing of the seasons are also talked about--for example, she includes some nice ideas for making crafts with nature's bounty in the autumn.This is a wonderful resource for families of young children who would like to add some new rituals and traditions into their life. I highly recommend Mrs. Sharp's Traditions to any mother who would like to make next year's seasonal changes and holidays a little more special and memorable for her children.

I love Sarah B. And this book is a treasure, with hard coverd and beautifully illustrated with the loveliest victorian illustrations.It arrived in time and in a very good state. I am very happy with it!

Sarah Ban Breathnach really does her research and then presents her reader with a beautifully written essay, During these tough economic times, we need to retreat into our homes and families, and enjoy the safety and graciousness they provide. The collection really is a Muse for all of us who try to have it all.

great book in great shape. It was a library book however so there were a few stickers on it but came off no problem

Ça n'est pas à quoi je m'attendais, j'avais lu l'abondance dans la simplicité et j,avais beaucoup aimé.