When my kids were little, my husband and I always gave them a Christmas book each year. We usually presented it to them a few nights before Christmas Eve, so they could enjoy reading about the upcoming holiday.
Holidays were always hectic at the time, but I do miss those nights with a warm, wiggly child in my lap, taking a few minutes to escape to another time or another world. I always loved the illustrations, and the easy cadence of the words, spinning a sleepy and hypnotic tale. I miss the warm feel of kids in feetie pajamas and the slightly curdled smell of a child's milky breath. And I do love seeing the holiday through the eyes of a child -- magical.
We have quite a few classics now, and my kids still enjoy sitting in front of the tree and rereading them with a cup of hot cocoa.
May your own Christmas stories be magical.
Posts
Polar Express is my particular favorite! Our kids also liked to make a "Christmas tray" filled with seeds and bread for the animals in the woods behind our house. They drop it off Christmas Eve and find it empty Christmas morning!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet, I miss the "littleness" of my kids too. I can only hope that some day I have grandchildren and can have that fun all over again:>)
ReplyDeleteHow sweet and how much you have to look forward to thru your future grandchildren. When our kids grew up, there was a lull between them and their children. Christmases when, I, too, so missed having a small one around. Then.... 22 yrs ago came the first of 10 grandchildren for us and, boy, we haven't slowed down yet. The baby is turning 6 in Jan. so we still enjoy reading the Christmas stories.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful collection of wonderful books.....
bj
Awwwwwwwww, some great memories. Looks like you have quite a collection of Christmas books.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
Nan
We have several of the books you have shown in your photos.
ReplyDeleteI savor every moment of or nightly storytime...I know it will be some of my favorite memories one day as well:)
Rhonda
I love the memories. What a wonderful tradition.
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI also get out the Christmas books and put them in a basket on the hearth. The boys never notice them, but I look at them often and remember those Christmases when there was so much excitement.
Janet
What a good idea Mary - to give the books a few days before Christmas - I may have to do that this year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tradition. We used to get our boys new PJ's and take a Christmas Eve photo in front of the trees. I carried that tradition on from when I was a child.
ReplyDeletePenny
I always enjoy your postings. I too take our Christmas books out and display them in a basket. You can tell which books were read more than others by the ripped pages and tattered edges. I will wait anxiously for grandchildren to read those stories to again.
ReplyDeleteConnie
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteYou took me for a sweet visit with my memories. Thank you so much for that. I miss those squirmy legs running down the hall in red feetie jammies. Where'd the time go?
Hugs,
Dena
So many sweet books you have! We have some of the same books and they are so nice to bring out this time of year! Have a wonderful day Mary!
ReplyDeleteAnnie
I love Christmas books. I just love books lol. these look so special.
ReplyDeleteOh what wonderful books, I've got some of those myself. Now I read them to my granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteSuch good memories you must have!
Hugs,
Donna
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind thoughts. :) I'll remember to enjoy the moments with my wee ones this holiday. I have a feeling it is going to be a hard few months and those quiet moments are well needed.
Thank you,
♥ Abbie
Ohhhh, those all look so familiar...do you also have James Herriot's "The Christmas Day Kitten"? Such a lovely story!
ReplyDeleteMary, this is just the sweetest post! I love hearing how much you love your family, and about the memories you've built together. It's a beautiful life.
ReplyDeleteAmanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
That is what I love about Grandkids--you get to do it all over again!!
ReplyDeleteDo you have Mr. MacGregor's Christmas Tree? It was my favorite Christmas book as a child. I found it a few years ago and it is delightful now as it was then!
ReplyDeleteMary, such sweet memories to share. You have a wonderful collection of Christmas books. Michelle
ReplyDeleteHello Mary
ReplyDeletewhich for a wonderful Blog you have.
One is joined in fatastisch and completely quietly for Christmas. Your red little house pleases me - it reminds me nevertheless of our red summer house in Sweden.
A wonderful Chrismastime wishes you and your family.
Barbara from Colone/Germany
We get a new Christmas book every year and enjoy reading them around the Christmas tree. Like you, we have quite a collection. I noticed you have The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey . . . that's one of our favorites; I was in a christian bookstore last week and found the video . . . I'm saving it as a surprise for this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love all of your posts, Mary, but I really loved this post. You made me feel so nostalgic for Christmas' past. So I blogged that and linked to your wonderful post on Christmas Books. Thanks, and have a very Merry Christmas.
ReplyDelete