12 days of Christmas: the best Christmas stories
As finals have almost final-ly (ba dum tss) passed, Christmas break offers a time for relaxation, reflection, and repose. Though you might feel a little burned out from the mental gymnastics this year has gifted us, the joy to be had in revisiting holiday stories is undeniable. The following list is composed of timeless classics and a few contemporary novels to add to your repertoire.
1. The Gift of the Magi – O. Henry
A perfect model of the joy to be had in sacrificing for those you love.
2. The Worst Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Barbara Robinson
One of the funniest and most charming Christmas stories for and about kids. Even if you aren’t Christian, there is something hilarious and heart-wrenchingly endearing about imagining the wild and unruly Herdman children in the local church Christmas play. “HEY! Unto you a child is BORN!” indeed.
3. The Night Before Christmas – Clement Clark Moore
This classic poem initially titled “A Visit From St. Nicholas” helped mold our vision of Santa Claus that we know and love today. Moore originally penned the poem for his family on Christmas Eve in 1822, but it wasn’t published until the following year. It began to be reproduced, always crediting the author as ‘anonymous’ until Moore took credit for it by publishing it in his own volume of poetry in the 1840s.
4. A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
This book and several movie adaptations are a bit frightening for children and adults. Dickens was never one to shy away from a strong moral though, so he has successfully scared generations into being more generous, especially around the holidays.
5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – J.K. Rowling
The third book of the Harry Potter series undoubtedly offers the best Christmas for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Spending the holiday with dear friends and good food —not to mention visiting snowy Hogsmeade and getting a firebolt for Christmas— guarantees a few weeks that are merry and bright.
6. One Day in December – Josie Silver
Basically a Hallmark Christmas movie —but like, a really good Hallmark Christmas movie— in book form. Serendipity is one of life’s greatest gifts and what better time to appreciate it than through this heartwarming love story set in London during Christmastime.
7. A Prayer for Owen Meany – John Irving
A riveting story about two boys growing together through their loss and grief. Irving does an amazing job of impressing the importance of recognizing and not shying away from your purpose.
8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Dr. Suess
While the recent adaptations of the movies are widely loved, there is no question that the original story from the man himself is unbeatable. Dah-who-dor-aze to all, and to all a good night.
9. The Polar Express – Chris Van Allsburg
We’re undoubtedly older, and though wiser is questionable, testing whether or not we can still hear the bells year after year is guaranteed to give us a little bit of that Christmas serotonin. Plus we all love to hate this kid:
The specificity of the energy this picture radiates is unmatched.
10. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott created a timeless classic when she published Little Women in 1868. The novel has since led to several literary spinoff series, at least 12 T.V. adaptations, and now six movie interpretations, all beginning with the story of four sisters missing their father on Christmas.
Sage Souza is a junior studying political science and Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys long walks on the beach, making too many playlists on Spotify, and retweeting Karl Marx fancams.
—sageksouza@gmail.com
@sageksouza