Far from being a last minute gift - a buy-one-get-one-free, throw-it-in-the-basket-and-hope-they-don't-already-have-it afterthought, a carefully chosen book can be a thoughtful, unexpected, and treasured Christmas treat. LAUREN ROGERS looks on the shelf for the best Christmas classics available.
1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
The story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future must be one of the most famous festive tales. A 1914 vintage edition (reprinted in 2008) could be ideal for someone who loves to fill their bookshelves with classics, but might not think to stock up on Dickens themselves.
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss.
A hardcover edition will last a lifetime and Dr Seuss, here at his best, never fails to make the reader smile. A fun gift for children and adults.
3. Letters from Father Christmas by JRR Tolkein.
No hobbits or trolls, but some memorable Christmas stories from the much loved fantasy writer. A nice gift for someone who already knows the way from the Shire to Mordor and back again.
4. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore.
Christmas Eve wouldn't be Christmas Eve without reading this wonderful poem about a visit from Saint Nic and an illustrated edition of this book can be revisited every year.
5. Louisa May Alcott's Christmas Treasury by Louisa May Alcott
A thoughtful gift for anyone who loved Little Women. This book is the only complete collection of the author's Christmas short stories and novellas.
6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L May.
There is a pop up version of this classic children's tale, which started life as a poem. Another one to be revisited every time December comes knocking.
7. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
The 2004 animated film brought this story to life, but the original remains just as heart warming as it was when first published in 1986. It';s no surprise this book reappears on Christmas bestseller lists each and every year.
8. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs.
This picture book simply doesn't need words to tell its wonderful story.
9. Christmas Memory by Truman Capote.
Something different for someone who has shelves already full of classics, this is Capote's autobiographical account of festive seasons spent with family in Alabama. You might have seen the movie.
10. The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern.
This is the short story that inspired one of the best and enduring Christmas movies ever made, It's a Wonderful Life. We know how it ends, but getting there is magical.
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