December 10, 2011 9:18 PM
Christmas books for children
A reader recently wrote to thank me for the idea of having a collection of books to unpack each Christmas. Since this was another megamom, I was surprised - I had never thought of this as a novel idea.
So let me share this idea clearly: Just as you have decorations you keep put away for holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, I recommend books and music that come out once a year as well. You will see what I mean as you see your children's delight each year as you bring out the books and music filled with memories. We keep a selection of books on the coffee table (do they still call them coffee tables?) year-round. At Christmas, we clear away whatever is there for Christmas - which we read aloud or which the kids read/look at pictures.
We now have about 30 such books - some we've received for presents. Many, like the Rockwell Christmas Book and Dickens' Christmas Carol are available used for pennies at Amazon. Those are the two I would recommend you start with. The others are the ones I pulled out to share because they are favorites at the Curtis house. I recommend investing in hardbacks - check the used prices at Amazon - as these are books which will be handed down to grandchildren:
The last one - A Christmas Treasury is also a must-have, a 474-page compendium of classic Christmas literature from some of the world's best authors - including O Henry's masterpiece The Gifts of the Magi. You will not want to let these be forgotten - as they are by government schools. Let them uplift your family and inspire your children as they have for generations.
See also What Makes a Story Christian?
Posted in Books, Christmas | Permalink
Comments
This is such a great idea. My husband already has started reading our four month old the book he was read as a child. I'm sure he'll like more as the years pass. :D
Posted by: Alyssa | December 10, 2011 10:30 PM
Every year my mother would re-wrap the Christmas books. My brother and sisters and I would take turns unwrapping one (or more) each night. So many good memories. Even through our teenage years we would love to have Mom read us the books, even the little kid books.
This year I have started the same tradition and my little boys are loving it! (Garage sales are another great places to find Christmas books for cheap!)
Posted by: Amanda | December 11, 2011 12:47 AM
