As a kid, there was almost nothing I liked better than Christmas Eve. The decorations were up. The presents were wrapped. The anticipation was palpable.
My family would start the evening by having an early dinner of Tourtière, a French Canadian dish that’s a lot like Shepherd’s Pie except it’s cooked with pie crust instead of a top layer of mashed potatoes.
Then, we’d get dressed for church and head off to the Christmas Eve service. We had to get there early, because it was so full that people always ended up standing in the back and all along the aisles. The entire church choir sang that night, and it was always glorious.
On the way home, my dad would wend through all the nearby neighborhoods so that we could see the Christmas lights. We would ooh and aww over the colorful displays all the way home.
At home, my dad would break out the eggnog, my mom would break out the Christmas cookies, and we’d all curl up on the living room couch in front of the Christmas tree to listen to a vinyl recording of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and featuring Lionel Barrymore as Scrooge.
Although I don’t listen to many audiobooks nowadays, I absolutely loved listening to that radio play as a kid. I love a good redemption story, and A Christmas Carol is one of the very best!
Because I now live in South Texas where the weather doesn’t scream “Christmastime” the way it did when I lived up North, I have to make more of a conscious effort to get in the Christmas spirit during the days leading up to the 25th.
One of the ways I do that, of course, is by reading Christmas books! Here are a few of the cute ones I’ve read so far this year:
- Second Chance Christmas by Betsy St. Amant
- Puppies, foster kids, and delicious Christmas treats! What’s not to love??? 🐶
- The Santa Run by Beth Pugh
- A cute and cozy read featuring a spunky heroine, a smitten hero, and a Christmas train 🚂 that runs through the Appalachian Mountains!
- Merry Ex-mas by Courtney Walsh
- I’m always down for a second chance romance, and this one was so much fun!
- The Amish Author’s Christmas by Ashley Emma
- I’m not always a huge fan of Amish fiction, but this sweet novella is just adorable! 😍 Plus, it’s free!!!
- Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets by Jill Kemerer
- Four sweet Christmas babies??? Yes, please!!! 👼👼👼👼
Next on my TBR is Merry Kisses by Valerie Comer, a novella that sounds like so much fun! How can you not love this premise? It was fun to fluster the pretty toy store clerk, but Heath Collins, the mall’s volunteer Santa Claus, hadn’t meant to get her fired. When his elf assistant comes down with a bad cold, Heath offers Sonya a few days’ work, only to discover she believes Santa is nothing but a liar and a fraud instead of an opportunity to make a difference in children’s lives. Plus, it’s free until 12/19, so grab your copy now!!!
What have you been reading to get yourself into the Christmas spirit? And do you have any unique Christmas Eve traditions you want to share?
If you’d like to add some new Christmas dessert recipes into your rotation, I’ve put together a booklet featuring five of the desserts included in my recent release, The Baby’s Christmas Blessing. You can get it through this special BookFunnel promotion. Just look for the cover of Cape Cod Christmas Desserts and click on it to download the PDF!
Lori R says
I have been busy reading Christmas books or watching Christmas movies. My favorite tradition is our Christmas eve buffet, going to church, and watching a Christmas movie together.
Milla Holt says
Since we celebrate Norwegian style, Christmas Eve *is* our Christmas! :-) We eat our big meal at 4:00pm, and open gifts at 6:00pm.
Lisa Cobb Sabatini says
Our family always goes for a walk around the neighborhood to see all of the decorations on Christmas Eve. If a child is present, an adult carries jingle bells in a pocket. As we reach the end of our walk, the bells are jingled and the child is informed that Santa must be near and the child had better get into bed quickly! Works every time.
Trudy says
I haven’t been reading any Christmas books, YET! I’m so busy with proofreading/editing and reading ARC’s, that I haven’t looked for books set at Christmas. I read them during the year, though, depending on what the author’s I read for are writing. FL might actually participate in having cooler weather for Christmas, as they are now forecasting that Orlando might be in the 30’s on Christmas Eve, so that means my county will be pretty close, if not in the 30’s, too.
Valerie Comer says
I was raised in a German/Mennonite tradition of no Santa, and Christmas Eve was the anticipated gift-giving time. Christmas Day we enjoyed our turkey dinner with less stress about everything else!
Early in our marriage, we did my family on Christmas Eve, and hubby’s on Christmas Day. Now my extended family gets together “near” Christmas – this year it is Dec 18 that works best. And Christmas Eve we have a 6pm church service, then we go to my husband’s family’s get-together. Neither of those are “gift-giving” events any more, just time to eat together appetizer style and enjoy each other’s company.
Lori Smanski says
welcome today and thanks for sharing. I have not been reading this month. I have been doing a lot of sewing. plus my husband and I have both been having health problems Merry Christmas to you and your family
Kendra Muonio says
my mom likes to buy her grandchildren and her 2 year old and almost 4 year old matchup pajamas or similar pajamas and put them on Christmas Eve and take pictures of them. my grandma used to do that for all her grandchildren but then it got to much when she was getting older now that she passed away her children and grandchildren like doing the matching pajamas for their children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren are violet age 2,lon age 1.5,Vince 1,Lottie 1 and Felix 1 week and one on the way due in February my brother will have 3 kids 2 and under in February.
I read the Christmas bargain by Mindy obenhous, your book, and more but right now can’t think of what they are called
Bonnie Heringer says
I have not read many Christmas stories yet. I have been so busy shopping, wrapping, baking, making presents for my grandchildren. I have read some of the stories in Christmas Wishes and Cowboy Kisses. And I have downloaded so many books by all of you fabulous authors! It’s a bit overwhelming to know what to read next!
Our Christmas tradition is to gather at Grandpa’s and Grandma’s house (that would be me), eat, open presents, and enjoy the Christmas season.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!!
Meghann Whistler says
That sounds nice, Lori! What do you have at your buffet?
Meghann Whistler says
Ooh, awesome! I love that, Milla! ❤️
Meghann Whistler says
Fun, Kendra! We do matching PJs for the kids, too ❤️🎄
Meghann Whistler says
How cute, Lisa! I might have to steal that idea! 😉💕
Meghann Whistler says
Yikes—the 30s in Florida??? I’ll bet you guys haven’t had a Christmas that cold in ages!!! Everything completely shut down here in South Texas when we (briefly) went below freezing a couple years ago!
Meghann Whistler says
I hope you have a wonderful time with your family tomorrow, Valerie ❤️
Meghann Whistler says
I’m sorry to hear you and your husband are having health problems, Lori—I’m praying for you! 🙏
Meghann Whistler says
It’s definitely a busy time of year, Bonnie! Enjoy your time with your grandchildren ❤️🎁⭐️
RuthieH says
I love hearing about everyone else’s traditions!
I haven’t had much time for reading this year so far but I have lots of books downloaded, I am looking forward to Autumn McArthur’s box set of Christmas books.
We took the kids to see Santa and look at some Christmas lights today, whenever we’ve been able to do it over the past few years we’ve got a picture of them made into a bauble for the tree, it’s a lovely keepsake and I hope to keep doing this
Meghann Whistler says
I love photo ornaments, Ruthie! We have a lot of them, too! ❤️
Debra Pruss says
On Christmas Eve, I read from Luke 2 out loud. I have read Debbie Macombers, Christmas Spirit. I have read Dana Mentick’s Christmas Crime Cover-up. I have read James Patterson’s The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas. God bless you.
Kathleen Mattingly says
I’ve been reading lots of Christmas books and watching Christmas movies. We always enjoyed driving and looking at Christmas lights through neighborhoods and parks.
bn100 says
a Christmas Carol
ausjenny says
Totally forgot to reply. Dealing with dental pain.
On Christmas eve we normally watch Carols by Candlelight from Melbourne. Although the past few years it hasn’t been as good. One or two are really good but so many not so good. I hate how some artists feel the need to change up traditional carols. But it also is more Christmas songs and often other songs not so much of the Traditional carols now. So will see how it goes if not good with pick a Christmas movie to watch.
Its just me and the cats. We have a Christmas Service on Christmas Day so that is the day we do most of the celebrating.
I haven’t read much for the past week or two. Firstly from over doing things and the past week the pain has been so intense, (I have a phone appointment on Tuesday so hopefully will be able to get a date to get the tooth taken out). I am on antibiotics and they are helping and it is improving but still got pain that makes me so tired reading is just to much effort. (even watching movies is to much at times) (I am not looking for sympathy but prayers for healing are appreciated)
Meghann Whistler says
That’s a nice tradition, Debra! Thanks for sharing 😊
Meghann Whistler says
Yes, seeing the lights is a lot of fun! ⭐️
Meghann Whistler says
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Meghann Whistler says
I’m sorry you’re in pain, Jenny! Praying 🙏
SARAH TAYLOR says
Always love looking at all the beautiful decorations and lights and watching Christmas movies!