20 Classic Christmas Books Everyone Will Love

20 Classic Christmas Books Everyone Will Love

Awake to the snowflakes twinkling, the scent of pine in the air, fire crackles, and the Christmas charm. As we show generosity, share love, and joy, and observe the timeless traditions, remember to add to it time to cozy up to your family and friends with an amazing read. These classic Christmas books are a perfect kick starter to share memories and enjoy a happy time together.

A Christmas Carol imprints the lesson of generosity and so does Moore’s The Night Before Christmas. The Polar Express is a trip to the world of fantasy while The Christmas Box is a straight-out reality check of the true meaning of Christmas. Immerse yourself into the magic of the festivities with the finest Christmas books that are suitable for everyone.

Here are the 20 Classic Christmas Books Everyone Will Love.

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

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This masterpiece is a novella by the English author Dickens. The 1843 narrative was inspired by the re-evaluation of Christmas traditions and customs in Britain during the early Victorian era. Hence the book elaborates on the essence of Christmas.

What’s more, the protagonist is Ebenezer Scrooge who portrays the personality of a miser. He is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley who was his former business partner. His other guests include spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come fictional characters. These visitors change him into a kind-hearted and gentle man henceforth.

In the end, the book informs the reader on the core aspects of Christmas such as spreading love through family gatherings. Also, the celebrations involved are expressed via seasonal food and drink, dancing, and games people engage in. The spirit of generosity is another lesson put forward by the author.

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2. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

It is an epitome Christmas story from a child’s point of view. The vivid illustrations coupled with a calm and relaxing storyline make the book one of the most famous all-time Christmas classics for children as well as for all ages.

The plot is based partly on Michigan’s Grand Rapids city where the author hails from. The reader is introduced to a young boy who lies awake on Christmas Eve.

To add on, he boards a magical train for the North Pole. The train known as Polar Express makes its way through forests, tall mountains, and a desert of ice. Their destination is a grand city where the boy intends to make his Christmas wish.

This story was sparked by Allsburg’s childhood visits to his hometown department stores for Christmas shopping. While on an interview with the Michigan MLive Media Group, Allsburg said Christmas shopping was either at Herpolsheimer’s or Wurzburg’s department stores when growing up. The book has existed since 1985.

3. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

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A Christmas masterwork by American writer Moore and was published in 1823. It is a narrative poem meaning it tells a story. Thus the protagonist is Saint Nicholas who travels from Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. On his journey, he takes a turkey with him as a gift to the poor in his community.

Additionally, the poem’s main theme is giving during the Christmas festive season. Moore drew motivation to pen this poetry piece while on a sleigh ride on a winter day on Christmas Eve in 1822. He aimed at amusing his six children that evening once he shared the story.

4. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

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It is an exemplary short story about Christmas written by the American author William Porter under his pen name, O. Henry. It is on Christmas Eve in New York. Della and Jim are a couple with limited financial strength. Yet each of them chooses to sacrifice things dear to them to buy the other a Christmas gift.

Jim buys Della combs that are perfect for her long hair, adorned with jewels and the type she had desired for her hair. In turn, Della gifts Jim a golden, plain, and simple chain for his watch after selling her hair. Jim had also sold the chain gifted to him to buy Della the hair combs. This story is proof of the sacrifices made for love during Christmas festivities. The book was published in 1905.

5. The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

A 1993 first-rate elaboration of the value of family time during Christmas by the American author Evans. We meet Richard who is preoccupied and obsessed with success. He narrates to us the story of his family. Keri is Richard’s wife and they both agree to care for a lonely widow known as Mary Parkin in her mansion.

On top of that, Parkin is disturbed by the way Richard is so busy that he can’t make time to spend with his family during the Christmas season. One day he discovers a box of letters Parkin had written to his dead daughter. This becomes his turning point as the letters open his eyes to the significance of family time during Christmas festivities.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

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This is a 1957 story by American literature legend Theodor Geisel under his pen name Dr. Seuss. It is an outstanding critique of the commercialization of Christmas.

The novel is centered on the Grinch who is a grouchy creature. He plans to steal Christmas decorations and gifts from the homes in his nearby town on Christmas Eve. Later he changes his mind after realizing that the meaning of Christmas goes beyond money and presents.

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7. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann

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One of the Christmas models in literature form which is suitable for everyone is The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The German writer Hoffmann released the title in 1816. A nutcracker in German mythology was a source of strength, power, protection, and luck to the family.

Moreover, the story centers on a girl (Marie) whose favorite toy is a Nutcracker. On Christmas Eve, the Nutcracker comes alive and plays the hero in a fight against the evil Mouse King. He then whisks Marie to a magical land full of dolls. The book has received various adaptations including the Christmas two-act fairy tale ballet The Nutcracker.

8. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

In some areas, this Christmas classic is titled The Worst Kids in the World. The six Herdsman children are the focus of the story. They are unruly and involved in cigar smoking, cussing, and shoplifting. Their father abandoned them at an early age and their mother is busy trying to make ends meet hence their bad behavior.

To boot, they catch wind of a church that offers snacks so they become part of the Sunday school. As Christmas approaches, the church prepares the Sunday school Christmas pageant. So the six siblings volunteer to be part of the event. Everyone anticipates the worst.

Surprisingly on the Christmas day presentation, they bring out the biblical story of the birth of Jesus in a real and heartwarming way that the audience appreciates. The American author Robinson published the book in 1971.

9. Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies

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It is a paradigm Christmas tale written by the American film cum television writer Davies. The story is set during the Christmas season. Valentine Davies visits a big department store and is in line when a disillusioned woman joins in with her daughter. Then a mysterious man shows up and holds the belief that he is the real Santa Claus.

To add on, the store employees are skeptical about Santa’s actions but the customers are open to his gestures. So the employees have no choice but to welcome his approach which may not be a practical business model.

This book puts across the lesson that humanity is supreme over money. It was published in 1947 and adapted into a film by the same name simultaneously.

10. Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

It is a collection of letters that the English author Tolkien penned for his children every Christmas. He detailed the excursions and adventures of Father Christmas each Christmas season.

Furthermore, the letters are in the form of a book which took over 20 years to compile starting in the 1920s up to the 1940s. It was first published in 1976 three years after the death of Tolkien.

11. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

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A model of Christmas literary work was put forward by American author Baum in 1902. He takes the reader on a fantasy trip illustrating the origin, growing up, and the life of Santa Claus. Further, in 1904 he wrote A Kidnapped Santa Claus demonstrating the kidnapping of Santa by the Daemons who wanted to keep children unhappy during Christmas festivities.

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12. The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

A first-class Christmas book by American writer Baldacci and published in 2002. We meet disappointed Tom Langdon who is in a rush to get to Los Angeles in time for Christmas celebrations from Washington, D.C. He is forced to travel by train and so he unveils his thrilling adventures on his journey.

13. The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore

A  classic Christmas novel that offers a contrast to the happiness expected during the season. American writer Moore uncovers a unique side of Christmas by showing the terror it can bring.

The plot is set up in the fictional town of Pine Cove where everyone is in the holiday spirit except little Joshua Barker. He claims to have seen Santa Claus buried and his wish is to have him brought back to life.

To add on, Raziel who is an angel comes to Earth to grant the young boy his wish. Meanwhile, the town of Pine Cove is getting ready for a dinner gathering in a church nearby the town’s cemetery. So the angel ends up causing panic as zombies rise from the cemetery, bringing the town to a halt. The novel was published in 2004.

14. Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

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A riff on real life in a great sense of humor is the perfect description of this distinctive Christmas creation. The American writer Sedaris released the title in 1997. The book comprises Christmas accounts in the form of essays and stories.

15. The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder

The Norwegian writer Gaarder is celebrated for bringing forth the Christmas idea as an adventure very appropriate for children. The novel is an embedded narrative (a story within a story). So it follows through a Christmas calendar (advent calendar) describing events of each day. The book was published in 1992.

16. The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere

An emotional reminder that the little things can make a big difference in the journey of life. In her 2001 Christmas exemplar, American writer VanLiere presents two families. One family is that of Robert who is an attorney in pursuit of success thus he loses sight of his wife and children.

On the opposite end is eight-year-old Nathan whose mother is ill with cancer. They have very little but are bound by cords of love. Robert and Nathan meet on Christmas Eve while shopping.

Additionally, Nathan buys a simple gift for his mother out of love while Robert is on a ritual to buy a gift for someone he barely knows. Their encounter leaves Robert with the challenge of holding dear to little things in life because they can make all the difference.

17. The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

This paragon Christmas novel is a demonstration of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of parental love in a family. These ideologies are the key message of Evans in his Christmas titles including The Christmas Box (earlier). The novel was published in 1977.

18. A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg

The American actress cum author released this classic Christmas novel in 2004. Oswald is on the brink of death and his doctor advises him to leave the cold Chicago climate to a more temperate environment. Thus he moves to a little town known as Lost River.

Moreover, he makes friends in his new location like Betty who is a landlady. Roy who operates a local store and Patsy who is a little abandoned girl join Oswald’s close circle of friends. Then Jack the Redbird is a special friend who brings him a Christmas miracle that warms his heart.

19. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

Luther and Nora Krank plan for a restful Christmas season to skip the busy activities that come along with the holiday including festive parties. Hence they send their only child to Peru for a yearlong Peace Corps assignment after Thanksgiving Day.

To boot, they schedule a Caribbean cruise that starts sailing on December 25. That is how they choose to enjoy a laid-back Christmas holiday. The American novelist Grisham published the book in 2001.

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20. The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy by Jane Thayer

The American writer Catherine Woolley published this definitive Christmas work in 1958 under her pen name Jane Thayer. The story is about Petey the puppy. His Christmas wish is to find a boy. He goes around in search of anyone in need of a pet but the boys he meets are not a good match for him and most of them have a dog. In the end, his Christmas wish is granted and he is adopted by an orphan.

As we turn to the final page of these classic Christmas reads, let these books spark the spirit of Christmas. Better still, let the books be a source of inspiration to embrace selflessness, togetherness, and love as you enjoy the books with your loved ones. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.