Wartime Christmas

Book excerpt: Christmas has been regularly celebrated during wartime. From the Christmas truce of 1914 out in no-mans land on the Western Front, to prisoners of war cooking up their very unique Christmas dinners with whatever they could get their hands on in German POW camps in the 1940s, the privations and difficulties caused by conflict has never stopped people indulging in a little holiday cheer. This lavish gift book, illustrated with one hundred objects, photographs, and works of art from the unmatched Imperial War Museums collection, tells the stories of those who lived through these challenging times, when wrapping paper was banned, rationing was in full force, and children were separated from their families. Also included are tips and tricks for creating recycled presents and greetings cards and recipes to cook a delicious wartime Christmas meal. Wartime Christmas explores the dichotomy apparent in celebrating "peace to all men" while continuing to fight a war of aggression.