A sweet mix of holiday cheer and memoir, this was a wonderful example of how one person's stories can bring meaning to other readers. I did not know who Danny Pellegrino was prior to this book but found his storytelling abilities endearing.

I love Danny Pellegrino! I was excited to read this book after having read Danny's first memoir. If you are a fan of Danny's podcast then you will for sure love this book. When I read his first memoir I was not a listener of his podcast, however after reading his memoir I became a listener. His second book does not disappoint. The book is full of short stories related to the holidays (mostly christmas, but some other holidays as well). As always, his voice comes through strong and I can hear his impression of his mother. This is a book I could see myself returning to every few years when I am looking for a light read and a little entertainment and a few laughs, and maybe even a few tears. This book will delight holiday readers as well as any fans of Danny!

I read this over the span of a few days while I was in Florida for Thanksgiving and was gearing up for Christmas celebrations. THIS was hilarious and made me happy that my holiday shenanigans I've experienced with my family weren't as "unhinged" as Danny's. If you're looking for some holiday comic relief, check this one out. I especially enjoyed Danny's short story that centers around Mrs. Claus.

Danny Pellegrino is a gift. Pellegrino is a gift from the reality tv gods and he just did the same with his wonderful book of holiday essays. The Jolliest Bunch is the perfect addition this holiday season!

***I received a free ARC of this e-book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***

Funny, sweet and the audio book was delivered with Danny's patented quippy pace. I loved the chapters centering around his functionally dysfunctional family and the quest for a xmas ham gone awry. His mom sounds HILARIOUS and his impression of her is a delight. He took me back in time with his tale of working at the local Borders (and how often kids POOP on the floor wtf! It's true!) and I need him to make me a Cher remix xmas album immediately. I wish the audiobook came with a playlist, it'd be on in this house! All around seasonal fun for the millennial midwesterner!

I am a huge fan of Danny's podcast. He is naturally hilarious and in this book I felt the same I feel when I listen; that we are best friends and he is telling me all the latest happenings. This book has very real, raw moments, but other stories that made me cackle and reread out loud. As a midwestern girl, so many of his stories were so relatable. Danny's storytelling ability brings an incredible charm to all he does. He gets 5 stars for rating Giordano's above Lou's. IYKYK

Danny is a hilarious person all around and these stories just further prove that. His delivery is impeccable. The fictitious story he wrote about Mrs. Claus was *chefs kiss* perfection in every way. I could read 1000 stories like that and never grow tired of them. I hope Danny continues to write books because the way he tells them in his different voices is laugh out loud hilarious and enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute, fun holiday stories -- I'd never heard of the author before reading them, but I really dig his sensibility and sense of humor. Good lighthearted fun.

Danny Pellegrino is truly a national treasure. I'm not sure how he manages to be both charming and heart warming; it must be the midwest in him. I am admittedly a big fan, so I was very excited to get this book in exchange for a review. This book was tailor made for me, a midwest gal who grew up in the 90s. It is chock full of nostalgia, and very well written. I will be buying this for all my friends and family. I found this series of holiday short stories to be truly fantastic! It was funny, at times I was truly laughing out loud! There were stories that were extremely heart warming, and there were extremely vulnerable parts that you can tell were hard to write but are rewarding for the reader to hear his perspective. I loved this book so much and will continue to gush about it. Could not recommend more!! Good job Danster!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

*I do not rate memoirs. But I highly recommend this set of holiday essays.

Danny Pellegrino knows how to tell a story. He can make the most normal story hilarious, like his mom cooking on Christmas Eve. I was in TEARS. Danny was already my Bravo guru but now he’ll be my holiday hero as well. He’s earned a spot of honor right next to David Sedaris in my hilarious Christmas tales collection.
I also had the audio and just like his podcast, he’s got a magical way with words. So much fun to listen to!!
BRAVO Danny!

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Recorded Media, Danny Pellegrino, and NetGalley for my early review copies.

I love Danny! I enjoy is podcast and following him on Instagram. He is such a warm and fun light in this world! I was so excited to dive into his latest but wanted to read it closer to the holidays to help me get in that holiday spirit! 🎄

I also enjoyed his previous book that I was gifted an advanced copy through Netgalley last year. But although I liked this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as his first one. I appreciated Danny opening up and giving us a deeper sense of his life and probably my favorite part of the whole book was his Chicago Hallmark movie story he shares with us. It was swoon worthy and the story was told so well. As always I'd recommend this as an audiobook if I had to choose, because I just love Danny's podcast and I just know he narrates this book to perfection! Thank you Danny for sharing this book and opening up your heart! I hope you continue to write more in the future!

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

"You get your ass out there and start the fucking nativity play . . . !"*
*An interjection from Danny's first grade Catholic school teacher.

Danny Pelligrino presents a hilarious collection of essays centered around the three holidays that form a blob of endless eating and celebrating during the last three months of the year. The best of the essays concern Danny's reminiscences of youthful holidays spent with his family.

"Mom, look what I got! I didn't even want it!" is young Danny's excited response to receiving socks.
(It is my considered opinion that Danny's mom, Linda Pelligrino, should be nominated for sainthood.)

From holiday meltdowns to imagined Hallmark Channel movies, this is an entertaining collection.

P.S. - I'm available to watch The Family Stone anytime you like, Danny.

Danny Pellegrino is one of my favorite podcasters because he's so funny, honest, and full of heart. All of his natural charm and story-telling abilities are on full display in this collection of personal essays centered around his favorite time of year - the holidays. If you want a light, cozy, heart-warming, silly but also serious book to curl up with in front of the Xmas tree, this is your book for 2023. That goes double if you are a millennial who loves a good 90s pop culture reference. Simply put, I'll read anything Danny Pellegrino puts out into the world because he's a gem of a human who isn't afraid to show his vulnerable side.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary ebook in exchange for my honest feedback.

Super cute, heartfelt, funny. Only criticism is sometimes the "lesson" at the end of each chapter felt corny and forced, but i see the point of it and it was a heartfelt book that made me laugh out loud, which is always a good thing. :)

Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebooks for this advance copy.
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Pellegrino’s collection of stories from holidays past was absolutely hilarious and full of laugh out loud moments. This is the perfect holiday stress reliever. My only complaint is that I wish it were longer.

What a silly fun wild ride through the holidays! I laughed and side eyed my way through this book, and as always with Pellegrino, loved and cherished the pop culture references along the way!

Thank you to Sourcebooks and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I was really excited to see that Danny Pellegrino wrote another book after reading "Can I unremember this?". I really enjoyed that book and really looked forward to reading this one.

I did enjoy it. It was fun, funny and sometimes sad really quick read. I didn't enjoy this more than his previous book though. Some of the stories I wasn't sure why they were in the book but overall I enjoyed it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

This book is the perfect book to read if you're feeling low. The stories are told in a way that my brain turned them into a Garfield as I read. (Sorry Danny, you are John). It feels like a comfort read. My favorite story is Black friday. It reminded me of being in the US by accident in 2005 and learning all about Black Friday from a waitress in Denny's on Thanksgiving. She didn't prepare us for what we encountered, but I'm glad we have that unforgettable morning.

If you want to smile, the Jolliest Bunch will do it.

I give this book 3.5 stars. I either love short stories or I don't. This book looked like a fun fast read. Unfortunately, this book took me longer to read than I would have liked.

The author is likeable. He shares fun, sad, and relatable holiday stories. However, I began to lose interest in the book. The book was too long for me. Yes, some of the stories I really enjoyed but others weren't as funny or interesting too me.

I did feel like I got to know the author and his family. I enjoyed the stories from his youth a lot. I liked when I could see the authors soul.

The author would use detours in the middle of chapters. It was a time to go off on a tangent. I didn't understand why he needed these

A lot of the chapters used a lot of pop culture references. It helped if you were of the age of the references or liked the references. For me, most of the time, it deflected from the story.

My favorite chapter was near the end. He prefaced the chapter by saying he was too afraid to put it in his last book. This chapter was real and raw. Part of me wishes the rest of the book read like this chapter.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Thank you for getting me in the holiday spirit.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks for the advance copy of this!

Last year I wrote a review for his first book, How Do I Un-Remember This and I absolutely loved it! This time around Danny brings us to the holiday season telling stories from throughout his life that are unfortunately true!

There were so many stand out moments for me such as reading about a cross country trip with the wildest woman, the friend of a friend from hell, working at Borders, his first love, and even his own version of Oprah’s favorite things.

Two stories really pulled at my heartstrings: End of the World & Diet Culture. I won’t divulge too much into them but they were two of the most vulnerable stories that I feel like I have read from him.

A Danny book wouldn’t be complete without pop culture references. I personally live for them! We have stories that include Casper, Now & Then (iconic movie & soundtrack), Jessica Simpson’s lockable lotion (unfortunate story) and even the reboot of JTT.

One thing I love that Danny did is even with the most unhinged story, he would end on a positive note and make it kind of a lesson point ala like a Full House episode.

Within the pages you will laugh, cry, laugh-cry, reflect on your own holidays and that is always the moments that stay with you & not the gifts.

Thank you Danny for being so open and generous with your time! I can’t wait to see what else you do in the future!