The tree twinkles softly in the corner, pajamas are warm and worn-in, and the smell of cocoa lingers in the air. The room is hushed except for the rustle of pages as little hands turn them, eyes wide with wonder. This is storytime—the moment when the noise of the world gives way to the magic of imagination. For many families, reading together becomes a tradition that grows sweeter each year. Whether it’s a favorite book read on Christmas Eve or a stack of stories shared throughout December, gathering to read slows time, invites closeness, and fills the season with meaning. In a world that often feels hurried, reading offers a pause—a moment to reconnect, reflect, and remember what matters most.
1. The Night Before Christmas
By Clement C. Moore
No holiday reading list is complete without this beloved classic. Written two centuries ago, The Night Before Christmas remains the story that captures the anticipation and wonder of Christmas Eve. Its poetic rhythm and imagery—stockings hung with care, reindeer prancing on rooftops, the hush of the night before Santa’s arrival—spark excitement for both children and parents.
This story is best enjoyed in a beautifully illustrated edition that draws readers into its timeless magic. Families often make it their Christmas Eve ritual, reading by the glow of the tree before tucking little ones into bed. It’s a perfect bridge between imagination and tradition, setting the stage for dreams filled with sleigh bells and snow.
2. Christmas in the Manger
By Nola Buck, illustrated by Felicia Bond
Gentle, simple, and heartfelt, Christmas in the Manger introduces the nativity story to even the youngest listeners. Told through soft, rhythmic language, each page highlights a figure from the stable—Mary, Joseph, the animals, and baby Jesus—building toward the peaceful moment of His birth.
Felicia Bond’s cozy illustrations, paired with padded board pages made for tiny hands, make this book ideal for toddlers and preschoolers. Parents love how it keeps the message of Christmas easy to understand without losing its reverence. It’s the perfect bedtime read on quiet winter nights, offering a few moments of calm amid the excitement of the season.
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas
By Charles M. Schulz
This classic adaptation of the beloved television special continues to resonate with every generation. When Charlie Brown searches for meaning beyond the sparkle and shopping, he learns that the beauty of Christmas comes from love, kindness, and togetherness.
The simple message of A Charlie Brown Christmas endures because it speaks to both children and adults—the reminder that joy isn’t found in what we buy, but in how we care for one another. It’s a beautiful read-aloud choice for families with children four and up, sparking conversations about empathy, gratitude, and giving. Reading it beside a small, slightly lopsided tree might even make the moment that much sweeter.
4. Tamales for Christmas
By Gabriela Tijerina
Few holiday traditions capture the spirit of family quite like making tamales together. Tamales for Christmas brings this cherished Mexican-American custom to life with warmth and color. As a family gathers in the kitchen to spread masa, wrap husks, and steam the tamales, laughter fills the air and stories are passed from one generation to the next.
Vivid illustrations bring the smells, sounds, and love of the kitchen to life, reminding readers that every culture celebrates Christmas in its own beautiful way. Perfect for preschoolers, it’s a story that highlights togetherness and tradition while honoring cultural roots—an inviting reminder that the holidays are about connection, not perfection.
5. Pick a Pine Tree
By Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis
A joyful ode to one of the season’s most beloved rituals, Pick a Pine Tree captures the excitement of choosing, decorating, and celebrating around the Christmas tree. Through playful rhymes and vivid illustrations, readers follow families as they bundle up, bring home their perfect tree, and transform it with ornaments, tinsel, and lights.
What makes this story stand out is how it mirrors real-life family moments—the tangled lights, the laughter, the way everyone gathers to admire the finished masterpiece. Its rhythm makes it fun to read aloud, while the cozy illustrations give readers that same feeling they get when the final ornament is hung and the lights glow for the first time.
A Cozy Tradition Worth Keeping
The beauty of holiday storytime lies in its simplicity. Create a reading nook near the tree, gather everyone in pajamas, and let the glow of twinkle lights set the tone. Wrap a few books and let your children choose one to unwrap each night—it turns reading into an event they’ll look forward to all month long.
Whether your children are babies just discovering the joy of turning pages or early readers eager to help with the words, these stories offer laughter, faith, and warmth—the kind of magic that lasts long after the wrapping paper is gone.
Because years from now, your kids may forget the gifts under the tree—but they’ll never forget the stories read beside it.