our favorite christmas books

OK, I just pulled out our collection of Christmas books and it’s, well, just a *wee* bit larger than I remember. I mean we have collected A LOT of holiday books over the years. There is a tiny pile of ‘meh’ ones that I set aside, but the rest are seriously awesome and I’m so excited to get into them. If you follow along, you know by now that I love a good holiday book. They’re just such a sweet and festive way to really launch the season and then enjoy it each night. Plus those books build such tender lasting memories as the boys and I get them out each year, saying ‘oh, I remember this one, I love this one.’ It’s precious time I get with my boys and I’m going to cherish it for as long as I can.

SO, I’VE ditched those ‘meh’ titles, and am sharing with you just the holiday books that we LOVE. There are such fantastic gems in here. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as we do. And PLEASE do share your favorites in the comments below, I’m just sure there’s still a wee bit of space on the shelf. xo

Our Favorite Christmas Books

> Samurai Santa is one of our favorites by a long shot. Yukio almost ruins Christmas for the other ninjas because they’re spoiling his fun, but a mysterious samurai cleverly reminds him of the true meaning of the holiday. The illustrations are FANTASTIC and it’s just an awesome, clever, non-traditional Christmas story. If you have ninja-lovers, this is epic. <

> Oh, we love The 12 Sleighs of Christmas. Santa’s sleigh is in bad shape so the elves compete to design some souped up replacements and they are SO fun. The illustrations are super clever, especially if you have a vehicle lover or budding engineer. There’s also a Book + PJ Set that’s so cute. <

> The whole series of Laura Murray’s Gingerbread Man books exemplify kindness and intention. The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas is a fun and adorable Christmas version done with the same whimsey and fun and lyrical brilliance as all the others. And Mike Lowery’s fantastic illustrations are a perfect match. <

> Bear’s back and this time he’s planning a holiday party for all of his friends. He needs help finding all of the things that make a festive celebration. Bear’s Merry Book of Hidden Things has THE cutest illustrations and is such a fun seek + find book. <

> The Gingerbread Pirates is another favorite. The cookies for santa think they’re real pirates and set out to look for their crew. It’s a perilous journey, but they get some help from an unexpected visitor. <

> My husband has a real soft spot for Toot & Puddle. All the books in the series are SO sweet and Toot & Puddle Let it Snow is, too. It’s about finding the perfect gift for your best friend, a present that can’t be bought in a store. <

> Christmas is Awesome is a funny, sweet board book with well, just awesome, illustrations. It celebrates everything that’s special about the holiday and it’s adorable. <

> I love this book. Olive the Other Reindeer is a story about Olive the dog who gets a bit confused by the classic Rudolph song and thinks she’s a reindeer so she heads to the North Pole to help Santa. J. Otto Seibold’s illustrations are so wonderful and it’s just a darling and silly story. <

> The Dinosaurs’ Night Before Christmas is a prehistoric take on the classic gives you a peek at how the dinosaurs in the museum celebrate the holidays when nobody’s watching. It’s festive and fun and a must for dino-lovers. A portion of the proceeds from this book go to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC where the story is set. <

> The Animals’ Santa is a Jan Brett book through and through. The woodland animals are all speculating about who [or what] the Animals’ Santa might be because nobody had seen him before. Little Snow thinks they’re all full of it until something majestic changes his mind. The illustrations are beautiful and detailed and just what you’d expect from Jan Brett. <

> Freddy is Santa’s biggest fan and he’s trying desperately to get a photo with his hero. He hatches an elaborate Rube Goldberg-like plan to trick him, but Santa’s just too smart. The Great Santa Stakeout is a fun book for little engineers. I love all of Dan Santat’s colorful, energetic illustrations. <

> I’m not gonna lie, before I read A Bad Kitty Christmas I was about to discount it as a bit cheesy, but I was seriously wrong. It is unexpectedly one of the most profound Christmas stories I’ve read and truly illustrates the meaning of the holiday. Yes, it’s silly and goofy, but it’s also incredibly touching. I’m only a little embarrassed to admit that I get a bit teary every time I read it aloud. <

> We love ALL the 'Bear Books' by Karma Wilson + Jane Chapman and Bear Stays Up for Christmas one is no exception. It’s just the sweetest story of friendship and celebrating what’s important for the holidays. And the illustrations are beautiful and energetic and perfectly match the lyrical story-telling. <

> This is just a straight up illustrated version of the super classic movie Home Alone, and those illustrations are really awesome. A reminder that there are def ‘bad guys’ in this story, so be aware if you have sensitive littles, but it’s otherwise really fun. <

> Oh man, Pig is sooo greedy and it doesn’t end well for him. Pig the Elf is super silly and really highlights the anti-spirit of the season, which of course ultimately illustrates the true beauty of it. The Pig the Pug books are all really goofy and have good lessons about how NOT to behave. <

> Construction Site on Christmas Night is such a great addition to this series. It has the sweetest message and everything you love about the Construction Site books. <

> Santa’s sick and calls on Pete the Cat to help deliver the presents worldwide. Pete the Cat Saves Christmas is a story about how size doesn’t matter when you ‘give it your all.’ And of course Pete saves the day. <

> Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree is a relatively new addition to our collection and I just love it. Mr. Willowby’s tree is too tall to fit in his house, so he lops off the top and chucks it outside. The story follows that tree top as it gets smaller and smaller as it’s shared among all the woodland animals in the forest [that also get smaller and smaller]. It’s really clever and cute. <

> Tough Cookie is such a charming book about a cookie that doesn’t taste good and his quest to fit in with the other sweets in the Land of Holiday Treats. You can bet it has a surprise happy ending. I LOVE the happy, vintage-feeling illustrations. <

> Santa’s feeling a bit old and crotchety and is having trouble mustering the Christmas spirit. So he makes a wish to be young again and gets way more than he bargained for. Santa Baby is a story about how Santa is reminded of the wonder of Christmas in an unusual way. It’s cute and funny and has a sweet message. <

> Fans of Otis the lovable tractor will love An Otis Christmas. It’s Christmas Eve and the farmer’s horse is in trouble trying to give birth to her foal. A huge snowstorm has made the road to Doc Baker’s house impassable, so it’s Otis to the rescue. It’s a sweet story and the illustrations are detailed and beautiful. <

> The North Pole Ninjas are a secret band of Santa’s Elves who are tasked with performing random acts of kindness throughout the holiday season. And they want your help. The book comes with a ‘mission’ for your kiddo and 50 suggestions for carrying out their own quiet random acts of kindness. <

MORE IN… little kids + big kids

holiday baking stuff

MY BOYS and I have a sweet holiday tradition of baking for all of our neighbors each year. We have so much fun spending that time together and are solid proof that your treats don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful and delicious [we #nailedit every time]. Baking is such a big part of the holiday tradition for a lot of people, I think because it’s just such a simple and beautiful way to connect and share a little yummy happiness. So before you fire up the mixer this year, check out these fun, festive baking tools that might make it even more special for years to come. I’ve included a bunch of awesome Holiday Cookbooks, too. And if you want more baking inspiration, check out the Gift Guide for Bakers and the Gift Guide for Baking Stuff for Kids + Teens. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

FUn Holiday Baking Stuff

XO Super festive holiday Geometry Tea Towels will make baking clean-up easy and cute OX
+ Use code DarcieC15 to save 15% on your order +

XO This Nordic Ware Star of David Bundt Pan is so intricate and pretty OX

XO Great Jones Bakeware comes in awesome colors that will brighten any holiday OX

XO Love this whole Crow Canyon Home x Helmsie Collection, especially that little Christmas Tree Tray for treats OX

XO Use detailed Nordic Ware Cookie Stamps for next-level treats, in 4 different set patterns OX

XO How cute is this Dash Dreidel Mini Waffle Maker? OX

XO This Nordic Ware Stacking Cooling Rack is absolutely brilliant for big-batch baking OX

XO Meri Meri has THE cutest selection of Christmas Baking accessories, including this Festive Icon Cupcake Kit OX

XO This Build a Menorah Cookie Cutter Set cleverly makes a set of mini cookies to share OX

XO Crow Canyon Home’s Kids’ First Bake Set is so adorable and perfect for a holiday session OX

XO These cutie Santa Measuring Cups are sure to bring a smile. There are matching Measuring Spoons, too. OX

XO This Snowflake Embossed Rolling Pin lays down a fun pattern while you roll your cookies OX

XO Nordic Ware has a sweet [enormous] selection of Holiday Cakelet, Bundt and Loaf Pans OX

XO We use this OXO Cookie Press Set every year to make spritz cookies for our neighbors OX

XO Man Vs. Cakes has some truly awesome Holiday Sprinkles and Sugars OX

XO These festive Baking Boxes are such a fun way to share treats with neighbors + friends [add some cute printed Wax Paper, too] OX

XO These Personalized Cookie Crew Aprons would be so darn cute for a cookie party OX

XO This Evergreen Forest Bowl would really be pretty for mixing or serving all year long OX

Holiday Baking books

XO The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays by Ree Drumond OX

XO Jewish Holiday Baking by Uri Scheft OX

XO Christmas Baking by Joyce Klynstra OX

XO Peanuts Holiday Cookbook OX

XO Holiday Cookies: Over 100 Very Merry Recipes by Brian Hart Hoffman OX

XO American Girl Holiday Baking OX

XO Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book by Betty Crocker, of course OX

Xo The Christmas Movie Cookbook by Julia Rutland OX

XO Baking for the Holidays by Sarah Kieffer OX

XO Modern Jewish Baker by Shannon Sarna OX

XO The Easy Christmas Cookie Cookbook by Carroll Pellegrinelli OX

XO Out of the Box Holiday Baking by Hayley Parker OX

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our favorite hanukkah books

I LOVE pulling out the holiday books. It’s one of the first things I do to signify the start of the season, whatever it is, and it just feels so exciting. We have a collection of Hanukkah books that grows each year as I discover new ones. As a family that celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas, it’s important to me to make sure my boys understand the meaning of both holidays. I’m not gonna lie, it can be tough to compete with Santa and his merry elves and magical reindeer, but a few really sweet, interesting and funny Hanukkah books go a long way to engage my kids and help them enjoy the story of Hanukkah just as much.

SO HERE’S a collection of books to celebrate The Festival of Lights with kids of any age. Some explain the significance or traditions of the holiday and others are just fun stories. We have many of these books and some are on our wishlist. If you have favorites, please do share, we’re always looking to add to our collection. And Happy Hanukkah, lovelies. xo

Hanukkah Books

+ Shelf the Hanukkah Elf is our VERY favorite Hanukkah book. It explains and celebrates the differences between Christmas and Hanukkah and honors them both beautifully. It’s super cute and the illustrations are really whimsical and fun. +

+ Simon and the Bear is a really enchanting story about Simon’s journey to America and 8 Hanukkah miracles that help him along the way. The illustrations are beautiful. +

+ D is for Dreidel: A Hanukkah Alphabet is a holiday-inspired A-Z board book with bright happy pictures for each letter. +

+ Latke, the Lucky Dog is a story about a dog rescued on the first night of Hanukkah who accidentally manages to mess up just about all of the family’s holiday traditions. But of course they love him anyway. +

+ Oskar and the Eight Blessings is a really powerful and heartfelt story about the kindness of strangers. +

+ Where is Baby’s Dreidel? is a darling little lift-the-flap board book about baby trying to spin the dreidel. It’s super cute for little littles. +

+ You’re My Little Latke is just a super duper adorable rhyming board book celebrating Hanukkah. +

+ Dinosaur on Hanukkah is a super funny book about a dinosaur trying to participate in the Hanukkah festivities. +

+ The Eight Knights of Hanukkah is a great book. It’s a sweet and funny story about kindness and bravery and it teaches some Hanukkah traditions along the way. I love that it’s inclusive, too. +

+ The Hanukkah Mice is a story about a sweet Hanukkah miracle for a family of mice who live quietly in Rachel’s room. +

+ Hanukkah the Festival of Lights is perfect for littles. It explains how and why Hanukkah is celebrated in a simple and easy to understand way. +

+ A fun twist on the classic Goodnight Moon story, Goodnight Bubbala features a super lively family with a very different idea about their bedtime routine. You can have your own fuzzy bunny to go along with the book, too. +

+ Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah is an engaging and energetic version of the Hanukkah story in full rhyme and the illustrations are bright and detailed. +

+ Is It Hanukkah Yet? highlights all the ways we know that Hanukkah is coming, both seasonal and traditional. I like the sweet illustrations. +

+ How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Hanukkah? is a super cute + funny Hanukkah version of the beloved ‘How Do Dinosaurs…’ books by Jane Yolen. We love it. +

+ Ok, Five Little Gefiltes is totally not a Hanukkah book, but it’s super funny, especially if you have a little yiddish in your life or want to learn some basics. +

+ Hanukkah Bear is a tender and silly story about a case of mistaken identity because Bubba Brayna can’t see very well and Bear can only growl. +

+ Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale is a fun twist on the classic story that teaches some Hanukkah traditions along the way. The illustrations are fun. +

+ Wacky Pappy and the Dreidel Tornado is a colorful story about a dreidel game gone way wrong and how teamwork can save the day. +

+ Let’s Play Dreidel is a fun interactive book inspired by Herve Tullet’s super popular book Press Here. It’s just perfect for littles. +

+ Pinky Bloom and the Case of the Magical Menorah is a chapter book mystery that only Pinky Bloom, Brooklyn’s greatest detective, can solve. +

+ These ‘Indestructables’ books are SO awesome for tiny littles. And Hanukkah Baby has really bright cute illustrations and a very simple story to honor the holiday. +

+ Dusk is a neat story about the holiday season in the city and ALL of the lights that shine when the sun goes down. It’s an inclusive book that represents Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza in the bright and interesting illustrations. +

+ This is the 25th anniversary edition of the classic tale of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. One man outwits wicked goblins that have taken over the synagogue and stopped the villagers from celebrating Hanukkah. +

MORE IN… kids + teens

menorahs i love

EVERY YEAR I marvel at the way that artists and designers continue to interpret the menorah in such creative, interesting and inspired ways and in so many different styles. Some are very traditional and some super whimsical and fun. It’s just so cool to see how something that’s been around for thousands of years keeps evolving. Functional art, especially art that becomes part of cherished family traditions, is such a beautiful gift and a lasting reminder of the love and intention with which it was given. I gathered up a few really pretty menorahs [and one super silly] here that would make a gorgeous gift to a loved one or yourself, plus some really awesome ways to get kiddos extra excited about the Festival of Lights. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

Menorahs I Love

> Wow, talk about stunning functional art, this Handmade Virginia Sin Swey Menorah is exactly that. Each one is handcrafted in Brooklyn, making it completely unique. Its unconventional shape lends itself to staying out all year-round as a beautiful art piece. < $200

> I love the unique shape of this gorgeous Ceramic Menorah. It’s handmade in Tel Aviv and despite its modern lines, is inspired by traditional menorahs. So pretty. < $273

> This Josh Owen Menorah is just so pretty in its simplicity. It’s made of seamless, solid cast iron and has a BRILLIANT built-in tray for wax drips. It’s so beautiful that it’s featured in 3 museums and won the Chicago Good Design Award in 2011. < $150

> Your kiddos can create their own beautiful functional art piece, with Super Smalls’ Hanukkah Activity Set. It includes a blank ceramic menorah, paint, stickers and an activity book with jokes + fun trivia. So you get a fantastic activity and a lasting piece of art all in one. Love it. < $36

> This Rite Lite Go Mini Electric Menorah is so perfect for travel or for places where a real flame just isn’t an option. It runs on either batteries or a USB cable and lights sequentially so you can properly light each night. So cool. < $12.99

> Ok, this isn’t exactly a proper menorah, but this adorable, bright Wooden Hannukah Menorah is an awesome way for your littles to safely participate in the ritual. The candles are removable, so kids can add one each night and even learn to match the colors. < $29.99

> I love the lines on these pretty, stylish Concrete Menorahs. They’re handmade in Isreal and come in these three subtle colors. The combination of sturdy concrete and delicate, pretty lines is really beautiful. > $100

> I love the simple, but elegant design of this steel Trace Menorah, but probs my favorite part is that you can remove the little cups that the candles sit in so you can easily clean them out. AMAZING. It comes in these 4 gorgeous colors with pretty Hanukkah Candles to match. < $165

> This beautiful brass Modern Mensch Nosh Menorah is actually inspired by the bagel, but is so gorgeous nobody will even notice [except maybe some rumbling tummies]. It also comes in Chrome, Rose Gold and a funky ‘Sunrise Sunset’ finish that’s super unique. < $200

> This beautiful menorah from Pretti.Cool in Houston, has been hand-cast in terrazzo concrete from custom rubber molds. It comes in 5 colors, including this pretty Cobalt and each piece is completely unique. < $125

> This Sur La Table Hanukkah Gold Menorah is so pretty and a bit more traditional. I love the nod to nature and the elegant gold brushed aluminum finish. < $79.95

> I mean, it’s a gold T-Rex Dinosaur Menorah. ‘Nuff said, right? I just love it. < $49

MORE IN… holidays + special occasions

reusable straws

MY AUNT Joan is a lifelong plastic straw lover. I’m not sure if she’s trying to preserve the poppy-colored lipstick she seems to wake up wearing or has a sensitivity to cold or if it’s just an unbreakable 60-year habit, but she uses a plastic straw to drink just about every liquid that goes into her body. Last year for her birthday, my mom sent her some pretty reusable straws as both a sweet acknowledgement of her sister’s quirk, but also a not-so-subtle hint to stop using [wasting] the stupid plastic ones.

WE DRINK a ton of smoothies in our house and I stopped using plastic straws several years ago as a SUPER easy way to reduce our waste. I even travel with them for on-the-road straw emergencies (along with a few sets of silverware). There are a ton of different options out there from metal to silicone to paper to glass, for home and for travel. I love the paper ones for entertaining because they come in so many colors and prints to match your theme, but I don’t recommend them for smoothies, especially if you have a chewer (just yuck is all I’m saying). So if you or someone you love, like my Aunt Joan, needs a little earth-friendly reboot in the straw department, I’ve gathered a collection to get you started. They would all make a lovely gift on their own or as a partner to another gift, like a stylish reusable bottle or mug. There’s no better win-win than a gorgeous gift that makes your special people AND Mother Earth smile. xo

Reusable Straws Make Great Gifts

|| These are hands-down the cutest Animal Friend Silicone Straws by Amalka + Albert ||

|| WonderSip straws click open for super easy cleaning and even come in a cool glow-in-the-dark version ||

|| GIR Straws come in a bunch of sizes, including some fat ones for smoothies and boba and lots of fun ones for kids ||

|| GoSili’s silicone straws come in a handy aluminum tin for travel and they’ll recycle them for you when they pass their prime ||

|| I love our Glass Straws because they’re sturdy, dishwasher safe, not plastic [duh] and you can see that theirs nothing gross lingering inside ||

|| Public Goods’ sustainable Bamboo Straws are reusable AND compostable ||

|| These Nightingale Silicone Straws are super pretty and packaged for gifting, plus the bent shape makes them easier to drink out of ||

|| Klean Kanteen’s Straws are a cool combination of stainless and silicone for the best of both ||

MORE IN… home + garden