3 things that make the best Christmas books great

The best Christmas books make the festive period even more magical. Some of our fondest Christmas memories are those spent beside a crackling fire. Perhaps sat with a mince pie or a Bailey’s (or both). Through stories, many authors have captured that fantastical feeling and shared it with people all over the world. There are some stories, in particular, that have stood out over time. We wanted to delve into the winter wonderland of Christmas stories and see what makes the best Christmas books so magical.

1. Characters

One of the first things that make the best Christmas books so wonderful, is their captivating and relatable characters. Fully rounded characters tend to have satisfying character arcs. This is one element that makes stories so enjoyable. Readers want to experience the journey of the characters, both internally and externally. Several of the most popular and best Christmas books feature deep and thematic character arcs. These arcs tend to focus on telling a moral story or message. The best Christmas books also have children as many of the focus characters, as some Christmas stories are targeted to children especially. Child protagonists may be more relatable to younger audiences.

Redemption

A Christmas Carol was written by Charles Dickens in 1843, about Ebenezer Scrooge. Much like the Grinch, Scrooge has a distaste for anything ‘merry’. The journeys these two villainous characters go on is one of redemption and enlightenment. The spirit of Christmas shows them the true meaning of Christmas, and it changes them for the better. Dickens’ message still rings true to this day. A Christmas Carol serves as a constant reminder to embrace life, love and to be kind to people.

The Grinch is grumpy, isolated and despises Christmas because his heart was “two sizes too small”. All the things that make Christmas magical are his pet peeves, particularly carol singing. His journey is about learning the true meaning of Christmas and letting go of his hatred. By allowing himself to care and enjoy Christmas, he feels genuinely happy for the first time in his life.

Isolation

Given the events of the past year, we all know how it feels to be isolated. One of the great things about Scrooge and the Grinch is that they both live solitary lives. This, however, has made them unable to appreciate other people and the joy they can bring. The best Christmas books all help to remind us how important it is to value our time together.

Enlightenment & relatability

Scrooge is an example of a character with a well written and established arc. He, like the Grinch, is cold-hearted and despises Christmas. When he is visited by the three spirits, he is shown the error of his ways. One interesting part of Scrooge’s story is that readers see a memory of his childhood and past relationships. This shows us that Scrooge has suffered and his mistreatment and mistakes have made him who he is. From this show of humanity, that many people can relate to, it becomes clear he can also be redeemed. This redemption tale, founded around Christmas, is what has made A Christmas Carol one of the holidays’ defining tales.

Opposing Characters

Stories with characters like the Grinch and Scrooge tend to have a character that embodies opposing qualities. Scrooge’s opposite is his nephew, Fred, who is generous, cheerful and loves Christmas. He believes there is good in everyone and continues to invite his uncle to dinner each year despite constant rejection. This idea of not giving up on people is similar to how the Whos treat the Grinch. Both of them found redemption and were better and happier for it. Tiny Tim is another character who is positive despite suffering a leg injury. He is grateful to be surrounded by a loving family.

2. Themes

The second quality that makes the best Christmas books great is the themes within them. They usually have running themes. These themes are generally established by the characters and their actions, but also things out of their control. The best Christmas books tend to focus on the magic of the Christmas spirit. This feeling appeals to both adults and children alike.

Magic

The fundamental characteristic of all the best Christmas books is that they all contain magic and adventure. Media is usually seen as an escape from our reality, and books are one of those formats. An adventure story takes readers on a mystical crusade that immerses them within another world. Readers love to revel in the wonderful experiences of a snowman coming to life. Or a train appearing outside your house to take you to Santa. They are so far from our reality, yet even adults enjoy these fantastical concepts. They all captivate the audience so well, that they want to experience them over and over again. What is even more important is that these stories are suitable for both children and adults.

Community

The Whos from the Grinch’s story embody the very spirit of community. Even after Christmas appears to be ruined, they come together to prove that Christmas is not about presents, but friendship and family. It is their unity that saved the Grinch from his bitter ways. Even after all he has done, they forgive and accept him. His isolation is also something that many people sympathize with, as everyone spends Christmas with family if they can.

Loss of Magic

In Raymond Briggs’ picture book, the snowman melts after building a friendship with the boy. This story addresses slightly gloomier themes of loss. But this can also remind readers how important it is to value the time you have with friends and family. The Polar Express also touches on this idea of losing magic. Chris is gifted a bell by Santa, but only those who believe in Santa can hear it. The adults cannot hear the bell jiggles, but the children can. Addressing these darker themes grounds the story. Children may not always understand some of these themes, but adults absolutely will. The dark parts of A Christmas Carol also serve as a warning for younger readers particularly. The scene with Jacob Marley’s tormented soul can drive fear into the reader. It can also offer encouragement for self-reflection. At their core, the best Christmas books drive the idea of showing kindness and being better.

3. Setting

Finally, the third thing that makes the best Christmas books great is the worlds in which they are set. The setting of many of the best Christmas books are in fantastical or surreal environments. Some have elements of the real world but include whimsical features. In the Polar Express, Chris lives in an ordinary house. But wakes on Christmas Eve to a magical train coming to a stop outside his window. From this moment, the world becomes fantasy, and he goes on his adventure to meet Santa. In the end, he returns home to his normal life.

The difference between these two environments links well with our world and the period over Christmas. For children, especially, it is incredibly magical. The thought of Santa flying overhead with his reindeers to bring presents is the height of excitement for kids. This period is only brief, just like the journey on the Polar Express, before life goes back to normal. This method reminds readers how magical but short Christmas is.

The Grinch lives in a completely fantasy world, atop his very own mountain. The Whos live at the bottom of the mountain in Whoville. This town may be small, but it is a tight-knit community that value sharing. The Whos are a great reminder that unity can make us stronger and respecting each other goes a long way.

The secret to writing the best Christmas books?

These are only a selection of qualities that make the best Christmas books such incredible stories. The attention to characters and their arcs is remarkable. The ability to capture the magic of such an enchanting time of the year is also wonderful. The moral messages underlined through the stories are also important. Both children and adults can enjoy these stories, and have done, for many years.

We hope this deep dive has provided you with some insight into the best Christmas books.

Our activity packs

If you’re looking for more festive ideas, check out our activity packs! Choose from Santa Academy, Elf Ed, Fairy Fellow and Reindeer Recruit… and get ready to have some fun!

Keep up with Santa Academy!

Find new Christmas stories every day on the Lacus Herald, written by our Author, Jill. Your little one can stay up to date with their favourite characters and all the latest news from Lacus Island. Coming to Santa Academy December 1st, 2021.

Find more fun, festive tips and ideas, such as:

• Easy Christmas crafts for kids
• Christmas printables
• Things to do near you for Christmas
• Christmas activity book ideas
• Christmas art ideas
• Christmas party ideas for kids
• Tips for helping kids to read
• Christmas baking for kids
• Christmas countdown ideas for your family
• Christmas writing ideas
• And many more!