A box of special Christmas books, brought out in early December, is a wonderful tradition that will give joy for years to come. Bring out your Christmas books at the start of December, brew up some hot chocolate or mulled wine and dig in for a cosy evening of reading with family or friends. Here are some ideas to get you started – why not make an order with your local independent book shop?
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The classic story of how miser Ebenezer Scrooge, with a push from the supernatural, found his Christmas spirit has been told over and over on stage and screen – but nothing quite beats the experience of reading the original.
The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim isn’t Charles Dickens’ only Christmas offering. Look out for collections that include his other stories written for Christmas: The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth, The Battle of Life and The Haunted Man.
Not only that, but if you like a bit of a creepy Christmas, then Dickens wrote some cracking ghost stories, including The Signal-Man and To be Read at Dusk.
Dickens’ stories and novels are available free online from Project Gutenberg. But there are plenty of cheaper paperback editions, and look out for gorgeous illustrated copies in bookshops, too.
Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs
Follow the adventures of a grumpy Father Christmas in Raymond Briggs’ classic comic strip. Whether or not you believe in Santa Claus, this is a charming, magical Christmas story with something for all ages.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss
Another classic children’s book, Dr Seuss’s bright, graphic illustrations are instantly recognisable.
Flower Fairies of Winter by Cicely Mary Barker
Barker’s detailed pictures add a little magic to native British plants, and the sweet poems ensure these books are treasured in family libraries.
Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson
A compendium of Christmas short fiction, memoir and essays that is great fun to dip in and out of – perfect for social reading.
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote
In this touching story of acceptance and friendship a lonely orphan and his cousin bake Christmas cakes for friends and strangers. Truman Capote’s gentle novella embodies the spirit of Christmas.
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
Death must stand in for Discworld’s answer to Father Christmas in this classic fantasy comedy. Pure escapism, but just the same, it is peppered with Pratchett’s incisive, funny observations about the real world.
The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter
This feelgood story of mice helping a tailor and his cat at Christmas is said to be Beatrix Potter’s favourite of all her books.
Beatrix Potter fans might also enjoy Emma Thompson’s A Christmas Tale of Peter Rabbit , in which the mischievous bunny sets out to save a turkey’s life.
Christmas cookbooks
Most of the celebrity chefs have their own festive offering, whether it’s Jamie Oliver or Mary Berry. Rather than cluttering up your kitchen with cookbooks that you only use once a year, keep Christmas books in storage until you are ready to plan your Christmas feast. That way they will be fresh and exciting, rather than dusty and overfamiliar.
Keeping your festive books in climate-controlled storage ensures they will be fresh and bright for many Christmases to come – and they will be covered by your storage insurance, too.
