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🎄 Christian · Cultural (most UK and US families)

Christmas books for kids: what it is and how to celebrate

When is Christmas? Friday 25 December 2026; then Saturday 25 December 2027.

Christmas bundle cover
🎄 Christmas bundleFestival pack + 5 activity sheets

A festival pack with what Christmas is, a colouring page, a paper-chain countdown craft, questions to talk about, a family checklist and a memories page, plus a printable sheet for 5 books: Stick Man, The Jolly Christmas Postman, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, One Christmas Eve, Squirrel's Snowman. One PDF, instant download.

£6.99 Buy the pack + 5 sheets See what's inside →

What is Christmas?

Christmas on 25 December is when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. It is also a cultural holiday enjoyed by many families of all faiths and none, with Father Christmas, trees, presents, special food and time together.

Who celebrates Christmas, and books for each

Christian

Christians go to church (often a nativity play or midnight service), sing carols, read the story of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in the stable, and give gifts to remember the gifts brought by the wise men.

Cultural (most UK and US families)

Families put up a tree, write to Father Christmas, hang stockings, open presents, pull crackers and eat a big Christmas dinner.

Questions to ask while you read

Use these with any of the Christmas books on this page. Pick two or three, and there are no wrong answers.

  1. What is the family in the story getting ready for?
  2. Which part of Christmas would you most like to try, and why?
  3. How do the people in the story show they care about each other?
  4. Is anything in the story like something your family does?
  5. What would you like to ask a friend who celebrates Christmas?

Ways to celebrate Christmas with children

Christmas picture books at a glance

All the Christmas books on this page: The Jolly Christmas Postman (Allan Ahlberg), One Christmas Eve (Nick Butterworth), Who Is Coming to Our House? (Joseph Slate), Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale (Martin Waddell), The Christmas Story (Jane Werner Watson), Stick Man (Julia Donaldson), How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Dr. Seuss), Squirrel's Snowman (Julia Donaldson), The Snowman (Raymond Briggs), Mog's Christmas (Judith Kerr), Father Christmas (Raymond Briggs), The Night Before Christmas (Clement C. Moore), Dear Santa (Rod Campbell), The Christmas Pine (Julia Donaldson), The Polar Express (Chris Van Allsburg), Bear Stays Up for Christmas (Karma Wilson), Kipper's Christmas Eve (Mick Inkpen), Pick a Pine Tree (Patricia Toht), Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree (Robert Barry), Little Robin Red Vest (Jan Fearnley), The Christmasaurus (Tom Fletcher).

Questions parents ask about Christmas

How do you explain the meaning of Christmas to a child?

For Christians, it's Jesus's birthday: Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem, Jesus was born in a stable, and shepherds and wise men came to visit. For many families it's also a time for giving, kindness and being together.

What are the best Christmas books for 3 to 5 year olds?

Stick Man, Squirrel's Snowman, Mog's Christmas and The Jolly Christmas Postman are favourites; The Snowman is wordless, so it's good for children telling the story themselves.

Related festivals: Advent · Hanukkah · Kwanzaa

All festivals, by month and by faith →

Traditions vary between families, places and communities; ask your child's friends and their families how they celebrate. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.

🎄 All our December guides in one place: Christmas and winter picture books with activities