Thursday, December 6, 2007

Christmas Books





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.

23 comments:

  1. 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!

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  2. So 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:>)

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  3. How 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.
    You have a wonderful collection of wonderful books.....
    bj

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  4. Awwwwwwwww, some great memories. Looks like you have quite a collection of Christmas books.
    Have a wonderful day!
    Nan

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  5. We have several of the books you have shown in your photos.

    I savor every moment of or nightly storytime...I know it will be some of my favorite memories one day as well:)

    Rhonda

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  6. I love the memories. What a wonderful tradition.

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  7. Mary,

    I 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

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  8. What a good idea Mary - to give the books a few days before Christmas - I may have to do that this year.

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  9. What 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.
    Penny

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  10. 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.

    Connie

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  11. Hi Mary,

    You 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

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  12. 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!

    Annie

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  13. I love Christmas books. I just love books lol. these look so special.

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  14. Oh what wonderful books, I've got some of those myself. Now I read them to my granddaughter.
    Such good memories you must have!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  15. Hi Mary,
    Thank 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

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  16. Ohhhh, those all look so familiar...do you also have James Herriot's "The Christmas Day Kitten"? Such a lovely story!

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  17. Mary, 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.
    Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

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  18. That is what I love about Grandkids--you get to do it all over again!!

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  19. Do 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!

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  20. Mary, such sweet memories to share. You have a wonderful collection of Christmas books. Michelle

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  21. Hello Mary
    which 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

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  22. 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.

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  23. I 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.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!