Favorite Classic Christmas Stories
While it might be too early for most people to think about Christmas, there is such as thing as Christmas in July and I figured it was the perfect time to share some of my favorite classic Christmas stories! These were all books that we had growing up and each year, we’d unpack them for the holiday season and my mom would read aloud from the whole entire stack.
And while some of these might be harder to find than others (I’m getting old!), they were a staple of my childhood and I have fond memories of them all! To this day, I love The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and although some of the story definitely reads like it was written in the 1970s, but it’s such a great story and definitely makes me laugh out loud. My other favorite from my childhood was The Sweet Smells of Christmas, it’s a scratch and sniff picture book that I was so excited to pull out every holiday season. In fact, I scratched the smells so often that we had holes through the pages! I actually found a new copy of this book about 15 years ago at Barnes & Noble and bought myself a brand new copy and the smells smelled exactly the same (especially the orange scent!).
While, it’s early for reading Christmas stories, bookmark this list for the holiday season, you’ll be happy you did!
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Favorite Classic Christmas Stories
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, swear, and smoke cigars. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.
None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale—the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies—has a lot of people up in arms. And their wild antics cause havoc throughout the play’s production. But the actual pageant is full of surprises for everyone, starting with the Herdmans themselves, as they ultimately lead the town in finding the true meaning of Christmas. They will make this year’s pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.
The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Jeni Bassett
It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and Clayton and Desmond feel the chill in the air. The cool weather makes them think of Christmas . . . and Christmas makes them think of Christmas trees! Who’ll find the biggest one? In the newest installment of this beloved, bestselling series, Clayton the town mouse and Desmond the country mouse team up to bring the spirit of Christmas to Mouseville-in a BIG way.
The Biggest, Most Beautiful Christmas Tree by Amye Rosenberg
Residents of a great fir tree in a thick forest make their home noticeable in hopes that Santa will come for his first visit to them.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
Not since “’Twas the night before Christmas” has the beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. From the Grinch and his dog, Max, to Cindy-Lou and all the residents of Who-ville, this heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit will warm even the coldest and smallest of hearts. Like mistletoe, candy canes, and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, beloved by readers young and old.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, illustrated by Corinne Malvern
The classic 1949 Little Golden Book The Night Before Christmas is now available for Santa’s littlest elves! With its shiny, colorful pages, this large-sized Little Golden Book is great for reading aloud as a family on a winter’s night, and makes a perfect gift for under the tree!
The Night Tree by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ted Rand
By moonlight in the quiet forest, a young boy and his family decorate their favorite tree with popcorn, apples, tangerines, and sunflower-seed balls as a gift for the animals of the woods.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole . . .
Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a barren desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the huge city standing alone at the top of the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish
The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia M. Scarry, illustrated by J. P. Miller
Join Little Bear as he prepares for the holidays, all the while giving readers a chance to smell six wonderful scents including apple pie, christmas tree, hot chocolate, and more! This delectable treat is a perfect way for families to spend the yuletide season.
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
Teeka has an important job training the reindeer in time for their Christmas Eve ride. The animals are spirited and mischievous, but kindness wins the day just in time.
