7 Classic Christmas Books for a Timeless Holiday

This poignant Christmas fable is the perfect gift for readers who are looking for something short, sweet, and soulful. 

Written by acclaimed author Brad Kessler and featuring gorgeous black-and-white photographs by Dona Ann McAdams, the tale explores the epiphany experienced by The Woodcutter when he finds his Christmas trees abandoned by the side of the road after the special day. 

A tale of hope, renewal, and a sweet romance, The Woodcutter’s Christmas makes for a memorable read—that’s worth a reread every year. 

If you’re looking for an assortment of Christmas-themed writing by the best authors, gift a copy of A Vintage Christmas to yourself. 

This beautiful anthology is quite the treasure, filled with stories and poems by Louisa May Alcott, Charles Dickens, Anne Brontë, Christina Rossetti, and more, and even includes a letter from Mark Twain to his three-year-old daughter. 

A cherished, classic keepsake, A Vintage Christmas is also the ideal size to fit in a stocking! 

Written by Julie Petersen and illustrated by Shreyl Dickert, Sherlock’s Night Before Christmas is perfect for lovers of both mystery and poetry—for this Sherlock Holmes’ story is composed entirely in verse. 

Following the rhyme and meter of Clark Clement Moore's classic poem “The Night Before Christmas”, this verse book presents a charming mystery, witty rhymes, and beautiful accompanying illustrations to make the reading experience truly special. Truly, a one-of-a-kind Christmas gift.

For those in the mood for a more serious read, The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories is an anthology that looks at the darker side of the holiday season, carefully edited by acclaimed crime writer, Martin Edwards. 

Containing mystery stories from both established and not-so-well-known authors, this book is full of good surprises. 

From thrillers to locked room mysteries, there’s plenty of variety in this seasonal collection to appeal to lovers of mystery and crime fiction. 

When it comes to classic Christmas films, one can’t go wrong with Miracle on 34^th Street (1947). 

The film was based on a story by Valentine Davis (for which he earned an Academy Award nomination) and was released as a 120-page novella that follows the adventures of a man who fills in for Santa Claus and ultimately becomes Santa Claus.

This new edition not only provides a faithful facsimile of the first hardcover edition, but also provides some historical context to the book and the film. 

Whether someone is a fan of the original film or is completely new to this timeless story, Miracle on 34th Street makes an excellent gift. 

A classic that has stood the test of time, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is the quintessential Christmas story—highlighting the importance of family, generosity, and good cheer that make the holiday season so worthwhile. 

This simple fable narrates the story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, followed by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. 

After these encounters, Scrooge is forced to reevaluate his life choices and, in the process, becomes a kinder, better person. It’s a story worth revisiting again and again, reminding us that Christmas is less about material gifts and more about the thoughts behind them and the time we spend with loved ones.

Finally, if you’re in the mood for the finest detective fiction set on/around Christmas, you’ll heartily enjoy Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries, a collection of stories edited by the esteemed Martin Edwards. 

Featuring both well-known and obscure authors, this is an extremely “fun” collection where every story has a unique twist and makes for an engaging reading experience. Magical and mysterious, Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries is the ultimate fireside read.