Nothing helps you to get efficiently into the Christmas spirit, as the good old books about Christmas. Or, let's say,- books, which tell "the tales of the glories of Christmases long-long ago".... among the other interesting things.
And yes, we know, that most of the people think about Dickens's "Christmas carol", as soon as "Christmas books" are mentioned. But, with all respect to this undeniable classic, it is not the only book on this magic shelf. Think, for example, about the Christmas chapter from the "Pickwick's papers" (1837), written also by Dickens; the colorful description of the Christmas celebration in it deserves most honorable mentions. In 20-s century several movies were made on the base of this book.
There are is also a wonderful "winter book" with a perfect "Christmas chapter" - "Hans Brinker, or The Silver Scates" (1865) by American writer Mary Mape Doge; the book tell us about the winter in 19 century Holland, and some big gifts, that several struggling and deserving people (including poor sister&brother) got around Christmas. This book has inspired at least two movies.
"Nikita's childhood" (1922) by A.N.Tolstoy describes winter pleasures in the life of a boy from a noble, so not rich family in 19 century Russia. "Christmas chapter" is especially magic!
"How I was little" (1953) by V. Inber tells a story of a girl from intellectual family in Odessa around fin de siècle; the future writer spends big part of her Christmas Eve with a book, which she has got as a Christmas gift.
The great book becomes a grand Christmas gift also in a wonderful novel by Anatole France "The Yule Log" (1881); this mostly desirable gift a kind gentleman gets as a reward for being kind to a needy woman on Christmas.
So, - brew yourself a nice big cup of tea, sit in your favorite chair with a soft plaid on the knees,- and have a nice Christmas reading!
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