"The new, expanded edition of [this book] features twelve brilliantly reimagined holiday tales, five of which are collected here for the first time. Christmas comes but once a year, yet the stories in this dazzling collection are fun to read anytime. They put a speculative spin on the holiday, giving fans of acclaimed author Connie Willis a welcome gift and a dozen reasons to be of good cheer. Brimming with Willis's trademark insights and imagination, these heart-warming tales are full of humor, absurdity, human foibles, tragedy, joy, and hope. They both embrace and send up many of the best Christmas traditions, including the holiday newsletter, Secret Santa, office parties, holiday pageants, and Christmas dinners (both elaborate and spare). There are Rockettes, and best and worst Christmas movies, modern-day Magi, Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Yet to Come--and triumph of generosity over greed. Like all the time timeless classics we return to year after year, these stories affirm our faith in lvoe, magic, and the wonder of the season."-- Back cover.