A dear friend gave me a copy of The Polar Express the year it was published, 1985. {Thank you, Carla} I’ll never forget the first time I read the story and how it touched me. There is something about the idea of believing in the spirit of Christmas even as we age that has always stayed with me.
This time of year I display my Polar Express book with the silver bell I had purchased a few years prior to the release of the book. I hope, when Olivia is a little bit older, I can read this to her and she will remember it with a fondness for the season that her grandma enjoys.
Both of our son’s enjoyed Christmas books. They often choose The Grinch who Stole Christmas and tolerated the Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, mommy’s favorite. I collected nutcrackers back then and the story still holds my attention.
With this abbreviated season, one of the highlights of Christmas this year will be when Olivia arrives…her thrill with the smallest of things gives me such joy. When asked what she wants for Christmas her reply, “Minnie Mouse socks, Grandma, mine have a hole in them!” {Lest you think we are negligent, her socks have a hole in them because she wears her Minnie Mouse socks every day}
These are the books in our library of Children’s stories that we’ll be reading…I’m sure there will be some books read that aren’t Christmas themed as well.
The 12 Days of Christmas was a favorite in part because of the incredible illustrations of Jan Brett…
All things Christmas makes me *happy* so I’m joining RJ at Art@Home for her happy party and Savvy Southern Style’s Wow us Wednesday.
Share your favorites. Do you have a tradition of reading a particular Christmas or Holiday story to your family? I hope you are having a wonderful December. ♥
Garden, Home & Party 
Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
I actually laughed out loud at, “lest you think we are neglectful”… My little brother had Barney (the purple dinosaur) socks that were his favorite thing. After he got old enough to realize they were embarrassing, we teased him about them mercilessly.
There will certainly be references to them this Christmas.
Karen B. said:
Ha, ha, ha. The funny thing is that a woman I work with bought the Minnie Mouse socks at Target in the $1 bin. Olivia focused on those the second she opened the little bag and would not take them off during her summer visit. Slept in them. This girl knows its the little things in life! Karen
debra phillips @ 5th and state said:
such memories you evoked karen! little olivia is adorable and your tree, as expected, magical
xo
debra
Karen B. said:
Thank you, my dear blog friend. I hope you have a jolly holiday! xo, Karen
around the table said:
Karen,
Such a fun post that brings back memories of when my kids were little. I still keep the books out .. even though the kids are grown. Polar Express is such a classic and one that even adults should read annually:) Your home looks so pretty!
Karen B. said:
Leslie, I have always been a fan of children’s books, especially this time of year…maybe it keeps us young. 😀 Thank you for the kind words about our home…I’ve simplified, like you, mostly natural greens and pine cones. I hope your enjoying a jolly December, it’s such a wonderful month filled with making new memories and relishing the past. xo, Karen
Teresa @ Splendid Sass said:
Such a great post! We also have so many Christmas books, and I adore every single one. We have never missed a Christmas Eve reading.
As for decorating, it is still too fresh on my mind, lol.
Teresa
xoxo
Karen B. said:
There’s truly magic in this month! xo, Karen
Keri said:
I heard a preacher say once that children are so happy because they “exult in the mundane”. That’s probably my favorite thing about Christmas– watching the little kids be so thrilled with everything from a candy cane to a new bike. Your granddaughter’s request for socks is precious. Last year I bought my 3yo niece princess panties (at her request). Her excitement was so cute and funny.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Karen B. said:
What a cute story…I’d imagine Olivia will request that next. The funny thing is her mom is not a “princess” loving mom, yet she’s had the most girly-girl! Since I raised sons, it’s more than fun for me. Karen
D'Arcy H said:
That is your tree? It’s absolutely gorgeous! I will have to put a photo of ours up on the blog, but it’s still waiting to be decorated (takes me a couple of days). My vision is always to recreate what I remember about my grandma’s tree with its German glass ornaments. Looks like you have many of those, too. Beautiful! 🙂
Karen B. said:
Hi Sheila, Thanks! I worked extra hard on the tree this year. I had started getting a little lazy on doing much more than hanging the ornaments. When my son’s were little we had all kinds of super hero, Disney and homemade ornaments, when they left and married I knew I could finally have a tree with mostly glass ornaments. A lot of them have been gifts, I even have a few Christopher Radko ornaments, but I’m not a name brand person so when I see an ornament I like I pick it up at the after-Christmas sales (sometimes that backfires, since someone else wanted it too and grabbed it before me). 😀 Happy December! Karen
Linda Coble said:
Karen, A wonderful post! To this day, The Polar Express is one of my all-time favorite Christmas books. I still cry every time I read it. The picture of Little Livvie is darling!
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Linda. I too well up every time I read the Polar Express…we’re just sentimental that way! Enjoy the lead up to Christmas. xo, Karen
Ricki Jill Treleaven said:
I absolutely love this post. We collect Jan Brett books…I love her art! Her Christmas books are the best. 😀 We have met her and have a few of her signed books.
Thanks for linking-up. I’m featuring one of my favorite Christmas books on Literary Friday tomorrow…. 😀
xo,
RJ
Karen B. said:
That’s such fun, is she as lovely as her art? I do think she has the best illustrations. xo, Karen
Gretchen said:
For many years I gave the kids a new Christmas book every year. I have many of the same ones you do. Their favorite tradition was to read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas morning before coming down to open presents. (This also gave Stu time to set up his video equipment!)
I love all the pictures of your Christmas decorations. You remain the queen of charming vignettes!
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Gretchen. Don’t you just love those books. They are such an instant reminder to all the Christmases we’ve enjoyed over the years with our children (now adults!) Love, Karen