Old Christmas is a collection of five Christmas stories, portraying an idealized celebration of old-fashioned Christmas customs at a quaint English manor, and depicting harmonious warm-hearted English Christmas festivities, which author experienced while staying in Aston Hall, Birmingham. This book largely contributed to the revival and reinterpretation of the Christmas holiday in the United States. Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American short story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He is best known for his short stories "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". One of Irving's most lasting contributions to American culture is in the way Americans perceive and celebrate Christmas.