When it comes to the wintertime, I’m not always one for Christmas stories. It can depend on how festive I’m feeling, but when there are times that I feel like festivities, there are some Christmas stories that are my go-to reads.
Now, in the interest of jazzing things up and helping lead people to newer reads, I’m going to include a couple of comic books I’m also fond of, since I think you’ll enjoy them. Unfortunately, any physical copies of these that I have are in moving boxes. As usual, I’ll be putting second-hand bookshop links for you to peruse at no commission for myself, and without further ado, let’s get into my 6 favourite Christmas stories that you’ll love!
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Now I’ll admit that The Snowman is one of the Christmas stories I haven’t read in a few years, but when I was younger, I used to read it every Christmas at least once – usually more than twice.
It’s a wordless picture book that I’m sure most of you will be familiar with – the TV movie is really popular, and has helped make it one of the timeless Christmas stories. However, I never had a TV growing up, so getting to read The Snowman, again and again, became a fixture for me as a child, and it soon became among the first Christmas stories I loved. Most of my books – and as a result, my Christmas stories – are boxed up in a garage right now, but next year, I know I’m going to fish it out again. It’s a book I recommend for anybody who enjoys Christmas stories with a heartwarming message, and for people with young children. Share the magic and check out a used copy of The Snowman.
Fables #56 by Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham
Fables is one of my favourite comic book series, and #56 is a more recent addition to the Christmas stories I love. Funnily enough, I think you’ll love it too!
The series – which takes place with fairy tale and classic literature characters all existing in the real world – takes place in the household of Bigby Wolf (the Big Bad Wolf) and Snow White (yes, that Snow White), and sets out to answer the question of whether Santa Claus exists in the world of Fables. What follows is not just one of my favourite Christmas stories, but also a comic book that I think people can read without having to read loads of previous issues in preparation.
Finding a used copy may be difficult, so here’s a link to a digital edition, but seriously, if you like Christmas stories and need some cheer, then you’ll love it. Even if you’re not keen on Christmas, Fables is just a great comic and you should check it out (I’ll probably write a post on it when I have the will).
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Christmas story to end all Christmas stories, A Christmas Carol is obviously an iconic and famous book. And I think that it deserves its beloved status. Not only is it one of the most life-affirming books I’ve read, it’s also one of the best Christmas stories I’ve read, and I only first read it a couple of years ago.
Following the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by various ghosts on Christmas Eve, A Christmas Carol is a festive and optimistic fable that deserves its beloved status as among the most iconic Christmas stories out there. It might have some older language, but it’s short and more digestible than some of Dickens’s other works may be, and could make for some nice familial reading.
As someone who has had several low Christmases, this story has been a comforting reminder of life being worth living. Even if you aren’t reading it for this purpose, I think you’ll love it. The book is available to read online for free here, but if you’re looking for a physical copy, click here.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Though I no longer have a copy of this book and don’t feel right buying one (I’m not getting political here, these are my personal feelings around the author) and won’t be attaching any external links, I read this book several times as a kid during Christmas, and would recommend watching the film if you haven’t already!
The story doesn’t take place just during Christmas, but something about Harry’s first year in such a magical world combined with the magical feeling of Christmas makes The Philosopher’s Stone one of my favourite Christmas Stories. It also has the qualities of all the great Christmas stories, with optimism, charm, magic, and love all being key to the season.
So since I can’t recommend buying a copy, I’d recommend the movie, which really helps to justify my Christmas stories perspective of it, and is a good choice for some wonderful Christmas viewing!
A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore
You’ve probably heard this poem’s opening line before – ‘Twas the night before Christmas – but if you haven’t read it, I can’t recommend it enough. Not only is A Visit from St. Nicholas a beautiful poem, it’s also one of the quickest Christmas stories you can read, and I think you’ll love it.
It describes the, amazingly enough, night before Christmas in a family’s hosue, and an incredibly charming Christmas story that you’ll love is told.
Available to read online for free through the Poetry Foundation website, A Visit from St. Nicholas is proof that not just all great Christmas stories, but stories in general, require hundreds of pages and thousands of words to be impactful. If you’re keener on a print copy, check this out.
Batman: Noël by Lee Bermejo
This graphic novel (I’ll do a post about the differences between comics and graphic novels another time) has everything that I love, and everything that Christmas stories require for success: character, drama, an optimistic message, and a heartwarming end. Batman and beautiful artwork are just two extras that make the whole thing better. Honestly though, Lee Bermejo’s artwork is incredible, just check out his website to see what I mean.
Batman: Noël serves as a retelling of A Christmas Carol – previously mentioned as the most famous of Christmas stories – Batman taking on the role of Scrooge. What sets it apart from other, similar retellings of A Christmas Carol is an interesting mesh of the Batman mythos, Dickens’s work, a beautiful story, and some of the best artwork I’ve ever seen. All of this leads to Batman: Noël being among both my favourite Christmas stories, and graphic novels of all time.
If you’re wanting to pick up a copy of Batman: Noël and immerse yourself in one of the best modern Christmas stories, then follow this link. I promise you, you’ll love it and be thankful for the recommendation.
I hope you’ve found this list of my 6 favourite Christmas stories that you’ll love useful, and that you consider checking at least one of them out. What are your favourite Christmas stories? Do you have any favourites? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time,
Conrad 🙂
P.s. If you’re looking for any other good Winter reads, check out my list of recommendations. In case you prefer something more visual during the cold months, you might enjoy my great Winter movies watchlist.
The Snowman featured in every one of my Christmases growing up. I’m sure it’s the same for everyone in the UK
I know! It’s like an obligation to read or watch it in the UK over Christmas!