Getting lost in a good book is one of the best parts of the holiday season, and there’s no shortage of amazing stories to choose from.
This article is your guide to some of the best Christmas books ever written, from timeless classics to modern favorites. You’ll find a diverse mix of festive romances, thrilling mysteries, and enchanting tales for both kids and adults.
So, whether you’re looking for a book to read by the fire or a story to share with the family, you’re sure to find something perfect here.
Best Christmas Books Overall
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens (1843)
This classic novella follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, a man who despises Christmas and all its cheer. He is visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve who offer him one last chance at redemption.
The story is a seminal example of a ghost story used for moral reformation.
The Christmas Box, Richard Paul Evans (1993)
A young couple and their daughter move into a mansion with an elderly widow to care for her. While there, the man discovers a mysterious box and a powerful Christmas lesson that changes his life.
This is a modern fable that explores themes of love and the true meaning of giving.
The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg (1985)
A young boy who is beginning to doubt the existence of Santa Claus takes a magical train ride on Christmas Eve. He embarks on a journey to the North Pole and a discovery about the spirit of Christmas.
Its unique watercolor illustrations and dreamlike narrative have made it a modern classic.
The Greatest Gift, Philip Van Doren Stern (1943)
An unassuming man named George Pratt is contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve when a mysterious stranger intervenes. This short story is the basis for the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life and explores what the world would be like without him.
This is an alternate reality fantasy that explores themes of self-worth and impact.
The Gift of the Magi, O. Henry (1905)
This short story tells the tale of a young, poor couple who wish to buy meaningful Christmas gifts for each other. In a beautiful twist of irony, they each sacrifice their most prized possession to do so.
The story is a timeless example of a tale of ironic sacrifice.
A Boy Called Christmas, Matt Haig (2015)
An origin story of Father Christmas, this book follows a young boy named Nikolas on a quest to find his father in the far north. He encounters many magical creatures and a mysterious truth about Christmas.
It’s a whimsical fantasy that re-imagines the mythos of Santa Claus.
The Christmas Story, Jane Werner Watson (1952)
A beautifully illustrated retelling of the nativity story, this book follows Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. It recounts the biblical events surrounding the birth of Jesus in a simple and accessible way.
Its strength lies in its faithful and simple telling of the religious story.
The Jolly Christmas Postman, Janet and Allan Ahlberg (1986)
This interactive children’s book follows the Jolly Postman on his holiday rounds, delivering cards and letters to various fairy-tale characters. Each page includes an envelope with a small, removable letter or card for the reader to enjoy.
It is a unique tactile experience for young readers with its clever fold-out letters and cards.
Letters from Father Christmas, J.R.R. Tolkien (1976)
This collection contains the letters Tolkien wrote to his children each Christmas from 1920 to 1943. Each letter, written from the perspective of Father Christmas, recounts the adventures and mishaps at the North Pole.
It is a unique and intimate look into the legendary author’s creativity and love for his children.
The Girl Who Saved Christmas, Matt Haig (2016)
In this sequel to A Boy Called Christmas, Father Christmas must find the last child who believes in him, an orphan named Amelia. Her belief is fading, and if she loses it, Christmas will be over for good. This is a magical adventure that explores the importance of faith and hope.
Top Romance Christmas Books
One Day in December, Josie Silver (2018)
Laurie is instantly smitten after seeing a man she calls “Bus Boy” at a bus stop, but a year later she meets him again when her best friend introduces him as her new boyfriend. The story spans a decade, exploring friendship, destiny, and missed opportunities.
The book is a quintessential example of the “friends-to-lovers” trope, spanning many years.
In a Holidaze, Christina Lauren (2020)
After an awkward holiday weekend with her family and her unrequited crush, Maelyn Jones makes a desperate wish to the universe. She finds herself in a Groundhog Day loop, reliving the same Christmas vacation until she can figure out what she truly wants.
This is a romantic comedy that uses a time-loop plot device to explore self-discovery.
The Mistletoe Motive, Chloe Liese (2021)
Rival booksellers, who are forced to work together on a holiday-themed display, must put aside their differences. What starts as a competition turns into a delightful romance full of banter and unexpected feelings.
This book features the popular “enemies-to-lovers” trope within a cozy holiday setting.
The Holiday Swap, Maggie Knox (2021)
Identical twin sisters, one a baker and the other a celebrity chef, decide to swap lives for a week to escape their respective holiday pressures. They must navigate new careers, new relationships, and the chaos of keeping their identities a secret.
The novel is a lighthearted romantic comedy that utilizes the “twin swap” plot for festive fun.
A Christmas Kiss, Lucy Score (2021)
A single mom and a handsome stranger are snowed in together on Christmas Eve. Forced to share a small cabin, they find that the holiday season may be the perfect time to open their hearts.
It is a classic “forced proximity” romance that relies on the cozy, confined setting.
Popular Christmas Books Involving a Mystery
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, Agatha Christie (1938)
The wealthy patriarch Simeon Lee invites his estranged family to his home for Christmas, but the holiday is ruined when he is found murdered in a locked room. Detective Hercule Poirot must unravel a web of family secrets to find the killer.
This is a classic “locked-room mystery” that proves no one is safe, even at Christmas.
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, Agatha Christie (1960)
This collection of short stories features both Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple solving holiday-themed mysteries. From a stolen ruby to a murder at a Christmas party, these tales are full of classic Agatha Christie twists.
The book is a collection of shorter mysteries, perfect for readers who prefer quick, solvable puzzles.
The Santa Klaus Murder, Mavis Doriel Hay (1936)
A family reunion at a country estate over Christmas takes a dark turn when the family’s patriarch is found dead in his study. Inspector Hemingway is brought in to solve the crime, and he discovers that everyone had a motive.
The book is a prime example of a Golden Age cozy mystery set in a country house.
Mistletoe Murder, Leslie Meier (1991)
Reporter Lucy Stone is looking forward to a quiet Christmas, but she is pulled into a murder investigation when her boss’s ex-husband is found dead. As she uncovers secrets, she realizes the killer might be closer than she thinks.
It is a cozy mystery novel featuring an amateur sleuth in a small town.
The Twelve Clues of Christmas, Rhys Bowen (2012)
Lady Georgiana, a minor royal in 1930s England, finds herself at a country estate for Christmas. A sudden death turns the holiday into a murder investigation, and she must use her wit to find the culprit among a cast of suspicious guests.
This book is part of a historical cozy mystery series with a charming aristocratic protagonist.
Christmas Novels For Children
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Dr. Seuss (1957)
A grumpy Grinch despises the festive cheer of the Whos in Whoville and decides to steal all their presents, decorations, and food. However, he soon discovers that the true meaning of Christmas cannot be stolen.
This book is a beloved moral tale about the true meaning of the holidays.
The Snowman, Raymond Briggs (1978)
A wordless picture book about a young boy who builds a snowman that magically comes to life. The two embark on a magical nighttime adventure, including a flight to the North Pole.
The book’s unique format and beautiful illustrations make it a timeless, visual experience.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson (1972)
The Herdman children, known as the most difficult kids in town, take over the annual Christmas pageant. Their unique and chaotic interpretation of the nativity story forces the town to see the holiday with fresh eyes.
This is a humorous and touching story that subverts traditional expectations of Christmas.
The Christmas Pig, J.K. Rowling (2021)
A boy named Jack loses his beloved toy, a pig named Dur Pig, on Christmas Eve. With the help of the Christmas Pig, a new toy, Jack embarks on a fantastical journey to the Land of the Lost to find his best friend.
This is a modern fantasy adventure that explores the deep emotional bond between a child and their toys.
The Little Match Girl, Hans Christian Andersen (1845)
A short, tragic tale about a young girl who is forced to sell matches in the freezing cold on New Year’s Eve. As she tries to keep warm by lighting her matches, she sees a series of beautiful visions.
It is a somber but deeply moving story that explores themes of poverty and hope.
The Fir-Tree, Hans Christian Andersen (1844)
The story of a young fir tree who is impatient to grow up and be like the magnificent trees in the forest. When it is finally chosen to be a Christmas tree, it discovers that the reality of its dreams is more fleeting than it imagined.
This is a thoughtful and melancholy fairy tale that serves as an allegory about the fleeting nature of time.
How the Giraffe Saved Christmas, Tim Firth (2018)
This picture book follows a little giraffe named Gilbert who is desperate to find a way to help Santa on Christmas Eve. After his initial attempts fail, he discovers a special gift he has that can help Santa complete his journey.
It is a sweet and gentle story about finding your own unique talents and the spirit of helping others.
Famous Fantasy Christmas Books
Hogfather, Terry Pratchett (1996)
On the Discworld, an assassin has been hired to kill the Hogfather, the world’s equivalent of Santa Claus. Death, the personification of mortality, must take up the Hogfather’s duties to ensure that the sun rises on a new day.
This dark fantasy uses the absence of Christmas to explore the importance of belief and rituals.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, L. Frank Baum (1902)
From the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this book tells the entire life story of Santa Claus. It begins with him as a foundling raised by immortal creatures and explains how he came to be the beloved gift giver.
It is a fantasy origin story that builds a rich mythology for Santa Claus.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis (1950)
While not exclusively a Christmas book, the story features Father Christmas in a key role. When the children enter Narnia, they learn that it is “always winter and never Christmas” under the White Witch’s reign, making the arrival of Father Christmas a symbol of hope. This high fantasy novel uses the holiday as a powerful symbol of good triumphing over evil.
The Box of Delights, John Masefield (1935)
Kay Harker, a schoolboy, receives a magical box that allows him to travel through time and space, shrink in size, and communicate with animals. He must protect the box from a group of nefarious magicians who want to steal its powers.
It is a children’s fantasy adventure that features a magical object as its central plot device.
The Winter’s Tale, Mark Helprin (1983)
A fantastical and epic story set in a mythical, snow-covered New York City, this novel weaves together multiple characters and narratives. It features a magical flying horse, an improbable romance, and the eternal fight between good and evil.
This book is a unique example of magical realism with an epic, sprawling narrative.
Classic Xmas Books
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, E.T.A. Hoffmann (1816)
This short fantasy story is the basis for the famous ballet. It tells the tale of a girl named Marie who, on Christmas Eve, receives a magical nutcracker that comes to life and battles an army of mice.
Its greatest claim to fame is being the literary inspiration for the world-renowned Tchaikovsky ballet.
The Cricket on the Hearth, Charles Dickens (1845)
One of Dickens’s five “Christmas books,” this story revolves around a family and their friends, with a cricket on the hearth acting as a benevolent fairy. It is a story about the sanctity of home and the true spirit of love and forgiveness.
This sentimental Victorian fable highlights the importance of domestic life and simple virtues.
A Christmas Tree, Charles Dickens (1850)
This essay is a delightful meditation on the meaning of Christmas, with Dickens reminiscing about the Christmas trees of his childhood. It is a nostalgic piece that captures the joy and memory of the holiday season.
The work is a personal, reflective essay that uses the symbol of a Christmas tree to evoke nostalgic memories.
The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Brothers Grimm (1812)
A classic fairy tale about a poor shoemaker who is helped by a pair of magical elves. They mysteriously create beautiful shoes for him each night, leading to a turn in his fortunes and a lesson in kindness.
The tale is a short and simple fable that teaches a moral lesson about kindness and hard work.
Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, Francis Pharcellus Church (1897)
This is an editorial written in response to a letter from a young girl named Virginia O’Hanlon who asked if Santa Claus was real. The short but timeless response is a beautiful defense of faith, imagination, and the Christmas spirit.
This unique piece of non-fiction is a powerful and concise statement on the importance of faith and hope.