Holidays on Ice ~David Sedaris

–published 1998
–144 pages, Back Bay Books
–4.5/5 stars

I have always been a person who becomes fully immersed in the pomp and circumstance of the holidays, particularly Christmas. Usually, however, I am a little more content to let November be about Thanksgiving before I dive into Christmas celebration. This year I feel completely different. Perhaps it is because Christmas is a season that has so much to do with hope and salvation and love for fellow man. I think my heart is crying out for some of the warmth of Christmas tradition and the comfort the rituals of this time of year.

In that spirit I entered Barnes and Noble this week and found myself looking at the various books on the Christmas display and I saw this little gem. I have heard various bloggers discuss David Sedaris on their sites (you know who you are) and although I have heard him speak on NPR in the past I had not read any of his books. The back cover synopsis:

“HOLIDAYS ON ICE collects six of David Sedaris’ most profound Christmas stories into one slender volume perfect for use as a last-minute coaster or ice scraper. This drinking man’s companion can be enjoyed by the warmth of a raging fire, the glow of a brilliantly decorated tree, or even the backseat of a van or police car. It should be read with your eyes, felt with your heart, and heard only when spoken to. It should, in short, behave much like a book. And, oh, what a book it is!”

made me think that I could actually get away with reading something of a Christmas nature this early in the year. Dear readers, this was a good choice!

There is an updated version of this book with more stories in it, but this slender, six-story volume called out to me and upon arriving home I practically devoured the whole thing, saving only the last story for the following day. All six stories are entertaining and it is easy to see why David Sedaris is the celebrated author that he is. Holidays on Ice manages to be both cynical and saracastic and heart-warming at the same time. This is no bitter diatribe against the holiday season. Instead these (I suspect) partially true and partially invented anecdotes serve both as social satire and as profound insight into the good and bad nature of people during the season of giving. The book made me laugh and it also made me think.

Holidays on Ice begins with Sedaris’ recounting various incidents in a season as an elf at Macy’s. Visions of Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Story, and Elf danced in my head as I read both the good and the bad of a job that you couldn’t pay me enough to do. Stories like, Dinah, the Christmas Whore, are both funny and poignant, and the final story, Christmas Means Giving, was a disturbing, laugh-out-loud, indictment against the greed of the season. I was so pleased with Sedaris’ storytelling abilities that I quickly went on the library website and ordered a bunch of his books in audio format. The only minor concern I have about the book is that occasionally Sedaris lapses into descriptors that might not be deemed correct in a politically correct environment. They did not put me off of his work but I feel the need to forewarn.

Many of the stories in Holidays on Ice beg to be read aloud around the table after the Thanksgiving feast or on Christmas Eve as the family sits around awaiting the arrival of ol’ Saint Nick. I know I will be doing just that.
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Keeping with the holiday theme, I am excited to announce that Kailana and Marg are once again hosting the Advent Calendar this year. This is a December 1st through December 24th event.

“Each day anyone who wants to participate could take turns sharing a little treat with our friends here in blogland. For example it could be something about a holiday tradition, or a recipe, or a picture of a hot guy dressed as Santa, or a favourite Christmas memory, movie, book, song…anything you like. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas we would like to hear about what your family does during the holiday season, whether it be celebrating Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or anything!”

It is always fun and you have the opportunity of participating if you would like to. Simply head on over to Kailana’s post and follow instructions. There is also the chance of winning a $20 book gift certificate this year!

I will once again be sharing December 24th with Kailana. This is a nice tradition that we have and this will be our third year of closing out the advent season on our respective blogs. I look forward to participating again this year.
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I am also thrilled to announce that Nymeth is hosting the blog gift swap again this year. She has enlisted the assistance of Dewey in this venture and I can personally attest to the fact that it was a great deal of fun to do last year. I got to give a wonderful gift and got a wonderful gift in return. You have until November 18th to sign up. From Nymeth’s site:

“What you have to do next is send that person a little something – it can be a book, a journal or bookmark, a box of Christmas cookies, a mixed CD, whatever you can think of. It doesn’t have to be anything pricey, of course. Second hand books are perfectly acceptable, as are homemade gifts.”

This is a terrific way to bring the spirit of giving back into the holiday season. This isn’t about spending a lot of money, it is about doing something small but personal for the individual whose name you receive. Nymeth and Dewey are also working to ensure that shipping costs are not an issue for those who would rather have a name of someone in their own country.

I applaud Nymeth and Dewey for doing this again and cannot wait to see whose name I have so that I can start planning their gift!!!
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I know it was all a bit early, but the ‘true’ Christmas season will be upon us before we know it. I encourage you to take a moment to consider participating in these events and I hope, even if you cannot, that you join in on the conversations on the advent blogs and share your own holiday memories as the season goes on!