Neither Evan nor I grew up celebrating Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th, but we wanted to start with our kids. Over the years we’ve figured out that what works for our family to celebrate St. Nicholas Day are three things:
- A new pair of boots (or shoes)
- A tiny orange (inside the new boots)
- A wrapped new Christmas picture book
It’s a pretty simple way of making that winter-boots-we’d-buy-anyway-for-our-kids-on-a-black-Friday-sale into a fun part of getting ready for Christmas + a non-candy treat + a way to slowly grow our Christmas book collection in time to use the book for the Advent and Christmas season.
I have 5 practical tips about doing a simple St. Nicholas Day, and then the rest of the post is a big list of more than 65 of our favorite Christmas books: Baby and Toddler, Illustrated Carols, Kindergarten and Elementary Books, and Read Aloud Novels.
- Order Used Christmas Books by Nov 20
- Sign up for Emails by Nov 20 from Minimalist Shoe Companies for Black Friday Deals
- Move St. Nicholas Day (Dec 6) celebration to the weekend if you need to
- Preview St. Nicholas stories before you read them aloud
- Put the boots, oranges, and gifts under the tree for cuter pictures
Practical Tip #1: Order Used Christmas Books by Nov 20
Christmas books are often easy to get used if you give yourself two-weeks’ time for the books to be shipped via media mail. So that means try to order some used Christmas books for Saint Nicholas Day before November 20th.
Practical Tip #2: Sign up for Emails by Nov 20 from Minimalist Shoe Companies for Black Friday Deals
You can sign up by (11/20) to be on the email list of your favorite shoe company for their Black Friday codes. We like the minimalist shoes listed over at Anya’s Shoe Review like Xero Shoes, Ten Littles, or Splay!. For serious kid winter boots we do opt for basic black Bogs even though they aren’t very minimal, but they do the job of keeping little feet warm and dry. Then, after you buy your shoes on a Black Friday sale, you can immediately unsubscribe from the email lists.
Practical Tip #3:Move St. Nicholas Day (Dec 6) celebration to the weekend if you need to: Especially when the kids were little, we often moved Saint Nicholas Day and (Santa Lucia Day a week later) to the nearest weekend, so we could celebrate in a more relaxed way than cramming it into before school and work, and it also makes more better lighting in the pictures if it’s not pitch dark out.
While there are lots of different St. Nicholas Day Traditions, historically, kids have often left their shoes out for chocolate coins, candy canes, and oranges. We usually just do the oranges, since Dark Chocolate Coins are hard to find and kind of expensive, and candy canes are more sugar than we tend to go for. Plus, I love the family history we have with oranges at Christmas. This year, I’m hoping to modify this orange marmalade clove cookie recipe with cassava and coconut flour too, but if it gets too busy, clementines or mandarin oranges will be enough. In years past, we’ve done yogurt and pomegranate seeds with honey. That’s easy if you have yogurt on hand, but remember to pick up some pomegranate seeds.
As far as books that are actually about Saint Nicholas and Saint Nicholas day, probably our favorite is Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver: The History and Legends of the Real Santa Claus by Ned Bustard, or reading the entry on Saint Nicholas from one of our collection of saints books (Stories of the Saints, The Loyola Treasury of Saints, 101 Orthodox Saints) . Here is a very extensive list of books about Saint Nicholas. However, see practical tip #4.
Practical Tip #4 Preview St. Nicholas stories before you read them aloud
I would highly recommend previewing Saint Nicholas books or passages before you read them aloud to your kids because every family deals with the issue of Santa bringing presents differently and often these books will directly comment on that being something that does or does not happen. Also, there are parts of Saint Nicholas’ hagiography (stories or legends about saints) that have details about dowries and saving girls from prostitution and evil inn keepers who try to pickle and eat little boys that you may or may not think your kids are ready for. And remember, you can always skip over or lightly edit the books you read to your kids as you read them aloud!
Practical Tip #5. Put the boots, oranges, and gifts under the tree for cuter pictures
For cuter, better-lit pictures, put the boots under the Christmas tree and have your kids sleep in their Christmas jammies the night before. I mean three year old Jackson next to his shoes in the dark is pretty cute. (And those tiny Lily baby shoes), but not the best lighting.
Again, baby Jackson crawling towards his tiny shoes with the orange in them, adorable, but hard to see what’s going on.
Now, onto the Christmas book list! I put an asterisk* next to books that mention Santa, just in case that’s something you’d like to know. Christmas books are a little hard to be objective about because after a few years of reading something, it often becomes part of the traditions whether it is a quality book or not. And we usually don’t mind books (or Christmas treats for that matter) being extra sweet. So I did list some bonus “silly” books that probably have their place in our family’s heart but might not be everyone else’s favorites.
Littlest Kids: Toddlers and Preschoolers
Toddlers love books about the manger animals, simple retellings of the Christmas story, and other people’s Christmases.
Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman . Mortimer the mouse is looking for a house this Christmas, and tries to move into a family’s manger scene. Adorable.
The Christmas Fox by Anik McGrory. Little fox doesn’t know what to bring the Christ child as a gift. This one makes me cry nearly every time.
Who’s Coming to Our House by Joseph Slate and illustrated by Ashley Wolff. The animals are wondering who is coming to their stable home. Beautiful poetry, a wonderful first Christmas gift for babies in board book form.
This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten and illustrated by Delana Bettoli. Beautiful pictures and rhymes.
B is for Bethlehem : a Christmas Alphabet by Isabel Wilner and illustrated by Elisa Kleven. Originally written for an early elementary Christmas play. The images are really beautiful mix media collage.
Born on Christmas Morn ( Arch Books) by Melinda Busch & Melanie Hall (or the whole Christmas Collection). Simple, sweet, and true. A perfect first book to tell the Christmas story to the littlest ones.
Christmas in the Big Woods * by Laura Ingalls Wilder and illustrated by Renee Graef. Laura and Mary’s Christmas in the cabin! Short and sweet, this is a perfect first introduction to the little house books and a fun look at 19th century rural Christmas traditions.
Christmas in the Country * by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Diane Goode. Cynthia Rylant is the master, and this book captures her Appalachia childhood Christmases so beautifully.
(Some silly Christmas books my children adored when they were tiny: Merry Christmas Ollie* by Olivier Dunrea, Spot’s First Christmas* by Eric Hill or a felt flap book like Where’s Santa Claus?* by Ingela P Arrhenius, Little Blue Truck Christmas by Alice Schertle and illustrated by Jill McElmurry and Christmas for 10 by Cathryn Falwell)
(Other Great Lists for First Christmas Books: SimplyRebekah.com, PerpetualPageturner.com )
Illustrated Carols
We love to sing carols, and having a book with illustrations and the words is great way to introduce carols with kids.
Silent Night illustrated by Lara Hawthorne. Breathtaking pictures.
On Christmas Day in the Morning illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Fun and whimsical.
The Friendly Beasts illustrated by Tomie dePaola (or The Golden Book version) Tomie DePaola is a master.
The Little Drummer Boy illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats. From the creator of Snowy Day, this is a classic for a reason.
Twelve Days of Christmas illustrated by Alison Jay. Alison Jay has the most beautiful style, and this is a beautiful book.
The Christmas Song: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire illustrated by Doris Barrette. Silly and fun.
We Three Kings illustrated by Gennady Spirin. Grand and ornate illustrations.
Tomie de Paola’s Book of Christmas Carols by Tomie de Paola. A fun collection.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas: Songs of the Season for Young People by Dan Fox. A big collection of sheet music with images from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
(Other Lists of Christmas Song Books: Joyfullythriving.com)
Preschool & Kindergarten
When your child is ready for slightly longer books (maybe at 3; maybe not til 5) here are some of our very favorites.
Alfie’s Christmas (Also, Lucy & Tom at Christmas, Dogger’s Christmas, Snow In The Garden First Book Christmas) by Shirley Hughes. Shirley Hughes is a master of capturing the reality of the preschooler’s life, and these books are such a fun look at British Christmas traditions. Some of our very favorite books.
Christmas in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren, translated by Florence Lamborn and illustrated by Ilon Wikland * Nearly 100 years old, these spunky Swedish kids (from the author of Pippi Longstocking) are the most charming guides to Christmas in their Noisy Village.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss * What can you say about this classic? Read the book; watch the movie. It’s Seuss at his very best.
Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer. Funny and a little in your face, Humphrey the grumpy camel is taking the wisemen to Jesus.
Jolly Postman’s Christmas by Allan Ahlberg and illustrated by Janet Ahlberg* Full of pockets of little cards and puzzles to pull out and examine, it’s just as charming as the original Jolly Postman with nursery rhyme and fairy tale characters in rural Britain having Christmas.
The Family Read Aloud Christmas Treasury by Alice Low and illustrated by Marc Tolon Brown. From the illustrator of Arthur comes this lovely collection of stories recommended to us from a dear friends whose 3 year old loves to have them read to him all year long.
Peter Spier’s Christmas! illustrated by Peter Spier. Wordless and timeless, these intricate pictures of what it’s like to wait for Christmas, go shopping, get Christmas cards, set up the tree, cook the meal, go to church and clean up afterwards are so wonderful.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. Beautiful pictures, and we love to watch the (also wordless) 1982 movie each year.
(Silly books my kids loved at this age: The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel by Tracey Corderoy and illustrated by Tony Neal. * Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck and illustrated by Karl James Mountford. * Jingle Bells by Kathleen N. Daly and J. P. Miller * The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Jon J Muth* The Christmas Boot by Lisa Wheeler and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney*)
(Other lists for Kindergarten Christmas Books: SimplyRebekah.com / Countryliving.com / Firstieland.com)
Elementary
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg * I loved this Christmas train to the North Pole story as a child. I remember getting to check it out over Christmas break in 2nd grade. I thought I’d won the library lottery.
An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco. (Also Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco.) This one is a tear jerker, especially if you read the end note, but it’s so beautiful and wonderful and is true story about a rural Michigan Christmas during the Depression.
Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble. A storm brings down a beloved apple tree that makes Christmas special as its wood is used in many ways. Charming and sweet. 
Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoullin. Frances is getting ready for her church pageant when she sees an organ grinder out her window and wonders where he goes to sleep. Short and powerful.
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story by Gloria Houston and illustrated by Barbara Cooney. A family awaiting the arrival of their father from war is responsible for the church’s Christmas tree that year. A picture of wartime strength.
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado. A little lamb wonders why he cannot play with the others because of his crippled leg is the lamb who keeps Jesus warm. Kind of over-written and sappy, but also so good and likely will make you cry.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski and P.J. Lynch. A gruff widower woodcarver agrees to carve a widow and her son’s Christmas nativity. Jonathan Toomey joins Scrooge and the Grinch in best redeemed Christmas grumps.
The All-I’ll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll by Patricia C. McKissack and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney * During the Depression three sisters get a beloved doll, but sharing her is tough. A beautifully illustrated story of family.
Prairie Christmas by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk and illustrated by Ronald Himler. A 19th century western prairie midwife and her daughter are called to help a baby on Christmas, and the scene slowly turns into a living nativity.
Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet. Frankie waits every year for a special present to be thrown to him from the Christmas train that passes through his poor Appalacian town.
The Third Gift by Linda Sue Park and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. A beautiful look a the history of myrrh harvesting and a little boy who helps get that third gift of the wisemen ready.
Christmas Carol adapted from Charles Dickens’ classic and illustrated by Brett Helquist. Fun illustrations and great retelling for Children. A winner.
Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck and illustrated by Mark Buehner. A teenage farmer overhears his father wish he didn’t need to get his son up so early to do chores decides to surprise his dad on Christmas morning. A great reminder that kids can give sweet gifts to the people in their lives too.
Letters from Father Christmas by JRR Tolkien * Full of funny letters in JRR Tolkien’s handwriting and little pictures about Father Christmas and a Polar bear who falls through the roof one Christmas. They are quirky and don’t really make a whole linear story, but they are the real copies of the actual letters Tolkien left for his kids every year and somehow they are a favorite around here.
(Other lists of Children’s Christmas Books: ReadAloudRevival.com /Alicia Hutchinson.com / HomeschoolCompass.com / BigBooksLittleEars.com / LitForLittles.com / SomeTheWiser.com)
Christmas Novel Read-Alouds
Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. A classic, has more naughty behaviors than you remember when you’re reading it to a sensitive (or impressionable) kindergartener, but such a story of redemption and seeing what is important.
A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy. A slightly heavy-handed allegory, but such a beautiful story of a community transformed at Christmas time by a stranger, Christ in disguise.
The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson and illustrated by Garth Williams. Grumpy man old man has to deal with children taking over his spot under the bridge in Paris at Christmas time by helping them and in turn himself.
Christmas with Anne of Green Gables and Other Stories by L. M. Montgomery. A collection of heart warming (maybe a little sappy, but who cares) stories LM Montgomery wrote for Christmas, a couple about Anne Shirley but most are stand-alone. Great to read a few each Christmas.
The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden and illustrated by Barbara Cooney. A very long picture book about a doll longing for a girl to buy her and a girl longing for a family to find her.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and illustrated by P.J. Lynch. If you have never read the real Christmas Carol, this is the one to get, or listen to Neil Gaiman read it for free. It’s short and just as wonderful as The Muppet Christmas Carol.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry and illustrated by P.J. Lynch. The perfect short story of the young couple who sacrifice what they love to give an extravagant gift to the one they love.
The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis. It’s always a good time to read The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe but with all the snow and a visit from Father Christmas, why not read it again at Christmas?
The Christmas Story Book edited by Ineke Verschuren. A big collection of Dutch translation Christmas stories that I grew up with. There are about 10 stories for Advent, 8 for the Birth of the Child, 8 for Christmas Night, 19 for Christmas around the world, and 13 for Christmas to Epiphany. They are old and strange and beautiful.
A Newbery Christmas edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Charles G. Waugh. A short story collection from Newbery winners like Carolyn Sherwin Baily, Eleanor Ests, EL Konigsburg, Elizabeth Yates, Nancy Willard, Lois Lenski, Katherine Paterson, Rachel Field, Ruth Sawyer, Hugh Lofting, Beverly Cleary, and Madeline L’Engle. Full of perfect little stories.
Box of Delights by John Masefield. My husband’s very favorite Christmas book (after growing up and loving watching the BBC version). Kay Harker is given a magical box to protect and help Tatchester Cathedral have its 1000th Christmas eve service. It has talking mice and rats, wolves, magical shrinking and flying, time travel, lots of snow, and a fun cast of characters to aid and hinder Kay and his friends on their way.  It’s an old and strange British children’s book that Evan says is best for older kids.
Thirteen Days Of Christmas by Jenny Overton and illustrated by Shirley Hughes. This one is very sappy and longer than it needed to be, but also a very charming look at old English Christmas as it imagines a very persistent suitor’s gifts inspiring the song.
Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle. This is wrapped up for our St. Nicholas Day this year, an Austin family story with a small chapter for each one of the days before Chirstmas. It’s also included in the larger collection of Madeleine L’Engle’s fiction and non-fiction writings on Christmas: Miracle on 10th Street.
(Other lists of Christmas Novels: ReadAloudRevival.com / AliciaHutchinson.com / Everyday-Reading.com / WhatDoWeDoAllDay.com, and my 2013 post about 9 books of stories and prayers for Advent and Christmastide)
What are you favorite Saint Nicholas Traditions? What are your very favorite Christmas children’s books and novels?
What’s Austin’s favorite book on history of Santa clause? I want to order copies for family
Our favorite is book is called Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver: The History and Legends of the Real Santa Claus written and illustrated by Ned Bustard!