Yesterday was my last day of school before the holidays. There was door decorating, and ugly sweaters, and Santa hats, and Christmas music everywhere.
It was chaos, but also lovely.
Now that work's done, that means loading up the vehicle and heading to visit the families. First up is my family. Tonight we get together with all my siblings, my parents, and my grandma (my mom's side) for Chinese food, then desserts and gifts and coffee and chatting. It's the official beginning of official Christmas.
Tomorrow my brother hosts breakfast-for-supper, then a candlelight church service, then my grandparents' house (my dad's side) with all of my cousins, aunts, uncles, and so on, for gifts and food and more chatting and catching up. We all dress up, and there is even singing, including dancing around the tree to Danish songs!
Then tomorrow the whole gang comes to my parents' house for turkey dinner, board games, and crokinole tournaments. (The grandmas are the reigning champions.) There is much talking and laughing and visiting and food and just goodness.
Even Boxing Day is lovely, a full PJ-and-slippers day with more board games and movies.
Then off to my in-laws for more celebrating!
They host Christmas when we get there. There is a delicious brunch, and a massive puzzle set out by the tree. We relax and play with the dogs in the snow and eat ridiculously good food pretty much consistently. There is usually a little time for snuggling up with a book or a movie, and it's all warm fuzzies and goodness.
I love the season. I love the holidays.
And I love books about the holidays.
So without further fanfare (since I've already talked, well, typed, enough), here is my list of the top 5 quintessential Christmas books.
A Christmas Carol
If you only ever read one Christmas book, this should probably be it. Check out my full review here.
The image of the Dickensian Christmas we all know stemmed from this book. I was lucky enough to get to take some students to see a live play of this story this year. My personal favourite film version is the one with the Muppets, but really all are so good. And when Tiny Tim wishes, "God bless us, everyone!" there is always a tear in my eye.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
If you only read one Christmas book and it isn't A Christmas Carol, it should be How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
This heartwarming tale of the creature who wants to stop Christmas from coming reminds us of the meaning of the season, and I dare you not to smile at the end!
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”
The Gift of the Magi
This classic tells the story of Della and Jim, a young couple in love and completely broke. You know the story. Della has one possession - her long, beautiful brown hair. Jim has one possession - the watch that was once his grandfather's. Neither has money to buy the other a gift for Christmas.
It's a story that reminds us how much better it is to give than to receive, a story of love and the holidays and generosity.
The Polar Express
I actually love the film version of this, but there is nothing like the actual book.
One day I will have a classic train set winding its way around the Christmas tree in my living room. A story of a train and believing in magic, and Christmas.
Little Women
Okay, so it may not be exactly a full Christmas book, but so much of the book feels like Christmas, and the Christmas moments in it are just so lovely. They sing carols, and come together as a family, and eat food, and help others. The sisters all come together to celebrate, and that's what the holidays are about.
Bonus:
Vinyl Cafe: Any of the Christmas Collections
This is a bonus because it's a huge collection, but it has such a special place in my heart I have to include it here.
Stuart McLean passed away earlier this year. His was one of the few celebrity deaths that really affected me.
It's a tradition to listen to his Christmas stories on the long drive from home to my parents' house for the holidays. While I love all Vinyl Cafe stories, the Christmas ones are definitely my favourites. "Dave Cooks the Turkey" might be the best, but as someone who just directed her eleventh Christmas concert, "Morley's Christmas Concert" holds a special place in my heart.
You cannot go wrong with any of these stories. Each one is both hilarious and heart-warming. They are best listened to, in Stuart McLean's voice, but they're hilarious read from the page as well. On many occasions I have laughed so hard my sides are left aching, and more than one has brought tears to my eyes for more sentimental reasons as well. I cannot recommend any of his Christmas stories enough.
What's your favourite Christmas book? How do you spend the holidays?