Christmas Books
By Melissa Ferguson, CMI Operations Director
I have fond childhood memories of getting out the Christmas storage boxes each year and of the warm feelings that came from seeing familiar items that had been packed away for many months. My favorite things in those storage boxes weren’t the pretty ornaments and decorations, though; they were the Christmas books.
I still remember my favorites, including picture books I read over and over for many years past the “ideal” age (I believe picture books are for any age!). I have passed them down to my own children. Our collection has grown exponentially over time, now occupying a bookshelf in our library year-round instead of being packed away each year.
Sharing a few favorite titles would be the logical thing to do, but there are many dear friends on those shelves, and narrowing down the list would take entirely too long. Instead, I invite you to browse Alveary’s annual list of living Christmas books, a compilation of favorites from the Alveary team, CMI board members, and Alveary members. Some are out of print; we kept them on the list because you never know when you’ll stumble across such a treasure at a library, book sale, or thrift store.
Enjoy making your own memories with a few (or many!) of these selections. If you’d like to share a favorite Christmas book or two, I’d love to hear about them. We can surely make a little more room on our shelves for new friends! Please tell us about your favorite Christmas book(s) over in the Hive.
Lesson Plan Spotlight:
If you are heading into a new term soon or looking for Christmas gift ideas, don’t forget to check the Book Lists we provide for every course and grade level. Every book you will need for each course is listed, as well as optional items and resources that could make great gifts this holiday season!
Notes:
- Office Hours: Here is the recording for this week’s Office Hours on Mother Culture during the holiday season.
- Scheduling Q+A: Just getting started? Need help tweaking your schedule in the Dynamic Planning Tool or Syllabird? Or thinking about switching from print lesson plans to Alveary+? Join our informal Scheduling Q&A (December 8th @ 3:30 pm EST)—no question is too small! This session won’t be recorded, so come ready to ask away. RSVP here.
- Advent Guide: The 2025 Advent Guide is here. The weekly format is rich enough to be used year after year and flexible enough for a busy family to supplement with other resources. Download here and share with friends!
- Conference: The Guiding with Grace Virtual Conference Ticket is still available for a limited time! Gain access to all keynote sessions plus 23 professionally recorded workshops. Want a preview? Enjoy these short snippets for a taste of what’s waiting for you. The Role of an Educator with Kerri Forney and The Great Recognition with Dr. Deani Van Pelt
