We love to read together as a family, but especially in the days before Christmas. It slows things down and these are our Favorite Christmas Books!
When I was growing up we had the best Christmas traditions. We would spend all month finding ways to serve as a family, ditching goodies or groceries on doorsteps or sliding envelopes of cash into doors. My parents really emphasized that it was the season for giving, not receiving. They gave to us as well with fun traditions that made us come together as a family and enjoy time together versus just stuff which is quickly forgotten.
The Tradition Started with Mom
Every Christmas Eve my mom read us a few favorite Christmas stories, always ending with the bible story of the birth of the Savior. I wanted a similar tradition with my own family, but we’ve changed things up a bit because I noticed almost immediately after having children that we had a problem.
All season long we rushed here and there and the reason for the season was quickly lost in the shuffle. I vowed to get shopping done before December, give more than receive like my parents had taught me and to slow down and be present.
Christmas Books List
Thus began our Favorite Christmas Books tradition. Each year we buy a new book or two and wrap them, along with the books from previous years. The kids pick out one book a night which we snuggle up under the glow of the Christmas tree and read together. It is quiet and wonderful.
- Bear Stays up for Christmas
- The Crippled Lamb
- Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Clause
- The Biggest Most Beautiful Christmas Tree
- The Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
- Room for a Little One
- Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas
- The Biggest, Best Snowman
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
- The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- The Polar Express
- Symbols of Christmas
- Humphrey’s First Christmas
- The Very Snowy Christmas
- Mooseltoe
- The Most Precious Gift
- The Littlest Christmas Tree (it’s only $1)
- The Mismatched Nativity
- How Santa Got His Job
- Mrs Claus Takes a Vacation (only $1)
- Thank You Santa
- Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect
What Christmas Book do you Love?
Now let’s hear from all of you, what book should we get next?
The Best Toddler Boy Books
Want more of our favorite books? These are the best toddler boy books!
Stephanie
We are trying to build up our Christmas library so thank you for the list! Our family loves Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree!
Sweet Basil
Thank you! A few people have suggested that one! I need it!
Bethany A Deardeuff
For sure, you have to get Wombat Divine, by Mem Fox. It is about a Wombat who wants to be part of the nativity play, but can’t find the right part. Such great writing, pictures, and message!
Sweet Basil
Oh I love the sound of that! Putting it on my list! Thank you!
Jenny
We have the same tradition (though not that my kids are all teenagers we definitely don’t get a book in every day…but I asked if they still wanted to do it this year and they said yes on days they aren’t too busy. We aren’t wrapping them anymore…they want to see what they are choosing.) The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is my VERY favorite. So glad it is on your list. I also love God Bless Your Way (Emily Freeman), An Orange for Frankie and Welcome Comfort and The Trees of the Dancing Goats (and pretty much everything else by Patricia Polacco), The Christmas Story (Robert Sabuda), A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas (when my girls were younger this was their absolute favorite…Philip Yates), Olive the Other Reindeer (Otto Seibold), The Light of the World (Katherine Patterson) and many others. I always check out a bunch from the library as well as have our favorites out so we have an even bigger selection and multiple new books each year.
Sweet Basil
Wow! Thank you so much! I love that it’s still a tradition even though your children are older! That is my hope and prayer that it’s the same case in our house!
Shannon
Me. Willowby’s Christmas tree and Mooseltoe are a favorite here!
Shannon
Mr. Willowby! No Me Willowby!!
Sweet Basil
Got it! Thank you!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much!
Lisa Adling
You need to get the book “The Gift of Nothing”!!! It’s so sweet and the message is so simple and about giving of ourselves. It’s what my now adult children ask me to read every year!
Sweet Basil
Love that! Looking it up now!
Katie
We love I believe in Santa Claus. It is the reminder that it is more the spirit of Santa Claus we believe in so we always believe in our house. We give it as a gift to families we have done secret Santa for. When having the discussion about Santa when older, this book has helped them see why we do what we do in traditions!
Auntie Claus
Santa’s favorite story
Sweet Basil
Thank you Katie! I’ll have to look for that one. It sounds perfect!
Kira
A favorite Christmas book I have from when I was a little girl is “I Can’t Wait.” It’s a story of the things BigBird does as he waits for Christmas. It is long since out of print, and my mom scoured eBay to find a copy for me and each of my three siblings so we could all have a copy to read with our own children.
Sweet Basil
Oh my goodness I love that!
Carley
We just read the first Christmas stocking by Elizabeth Winthrop. It is such a sweet story. I think it has become one of my new favorites. We also really enjoy The Last Straw book. The one by Paula McDonald. It’s got a manger with straw and a Christmas tree on the front. Hard to find for purchase but we get it from the library every year!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much! I’ll look for those!
Belinda
I Believe in Santa Clause by Diane G. Adamson
Sweet Basil
Thank you!!
April Driggers
Some we love are The Little Big Book of Christmas, The Christmas Star, of course The Polar Express, Santa Calls by William Joyce, How Santa Got His Job, Shhhh by Julie Sikes, B is for Bethlehem, The Legend of the Poinsettia, Jan Brett’s Christmas Treasury is my FAAAAAAAAAAAVORITE I love her illustrations. She’s amazing! The Crippled Lamb.. I love it but man I can’t make it through without a sob fest! The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore has THE most beautiful illustrations too
Sweet Basil
Oh I can’t wait to track these all down, thank you!
Pam
Shoemaker Martin is our families favorite book. Written by Leo Tolstoy and illustrated by Bernadette Watts.
Martin is a shoemaker and reads his bible each night. He wants to meet Jesus. He meets three strangers in need and He helps them each time. Later he realizes that it is Jesus that has come to him each time.
I love to use this book to illustrate to my Sunday school class about the importance of service. It is a great way to start your “Light the World” 25 days.
Mismatched Nativity is another favorite.
Heather at Kitchen Concoctions
We love the tradition of wrapping the Christmas books and reading one a day through December! Many of the books on your list are favorites, but several I’ve never heard of. I’ll have to check them out to add to our collection!
Sweet Basil
Yay, thanks Heather!