Movies and Books to Share with Your Kids This Holiday Season
The countdown to Christmas has officially begun and no matter how your family celebrates the holidays, there’s one time-honored Christmas tradition that we love.
Curling up on the couch with a cup of cocoa, to watch a movie or share in a Christmas story together is our favorite way to spend December. Movies and books are one of the best (and easiest) ways to keep the magic of this season alive.
So put on your cozy bamboo pajamas, wrap up in your favorite Birdie Bean blanket, and celebrate Christmas’s magic.
Movies & Books to Share with Your Kids This Holiday Season
Movies to Watch with Your Kids This Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Rating: G
Where to stream: Apple TV+
A Charlie Brown Christmas should be a part of every kid's childhood. It is the touching story of Charlie Brown, his little Christmas tree, and all his pals in search of the true meaning of Christmas. This story helps us all remember that Christmas is about so much more than the gifts we give and the things we buy. You won’t find a Christmas movie round-up that doesn’t include this beloved classic.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)
Rating: Not rated
Where to stream: Prime Video
Bring the true magic of Christmas home this year with Santa’s origin story. Follow this beloved mailman (Fred Austere) around as he answers the kid’s most asked questions about Santa Claus. Little kids will love the unique stop-motion animation while older kids (and adults) will love the nostalgia of this special Christmas movie.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Rating: PG
Where to stream: Prime Video
When a present is misplaced and forgotten, Santa’s clumsy son Arthur sets out to save Christmas. Follow the adventure of Arthur and Grand Santa as they remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. This movie is so sweet, it’s no wonder it’s quickly becoming a seasonal classic.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Rating: PG
Where to stream: Prime Video
While we loved the new animated Grinch that came out in 2018, there’s nothing like the Grinch portrayed by Jim Carrey. No one will be able to fill his shoes in this role, right? Plus, this is the movie that brought us Faith Hill’s beloved ballad “Where Are You Christmas?” If you haven’t already watched ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’, we recommend it for your next family movie night.
A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
Rating: PG
Where to stream: Netflix
This movie follows a boy as he journeys through the North to discover that he’s anything but ordinary. Based on the story by Matt Haig, this tale is the perfect way to help all of us believe in the magic of Christmas again. If you haven’t already seen it, grab the family and join Nikolas on the journey to his destiny.
Books That Celebrate Diverse Christmas Traditions
In the past, we’ve shared our favorite traditional books about the holidays. From the ‘Night Before Christmas’ to ‘The Polar Express’, these are the stories that get pulled out every year in our home.
But this year, to celebrate the diverse Holiday traditions around the world, we want to bring you five new books that we’ll be reading again and again this December.
Celebrations Around the World
by Katy Halford
What better way to celebrate the diverse traditions around the world than with this unique story? The author incorporates 25 events that are both religious and non-religious holidays and festivals across the globe. It’s the perfect introduction to world celebrations – while still keeping the snippets bite-sized and entertaining for children.
Too Many Tamales
by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez
It’s Christmas Eve and Maria is helping her mom make tamales for their family’s annual Christmas party. She tries on her mom’s diamond ring and realizes later that she must have lost it in the tamales! This fun story helps you celebrate the beauty of Mexican-American culture while incorporating family, teamwork, and Christmas traditions in one beautifully illustrated book.
Diwali: A Festival of Lights
by Anita Yasuda, illustrated by Darshika Varma
We’ve shared so much about Christmas and Hanukkah but there are so many holidays that are celebrated around the world in December. Diwali is a holiday celebrated by billions of people, that your little ones might have never heard of! Give them the chance to learn all about this fun holiday in this special book by Anita Yasuda.
From the traditions to the food that make up Diwali, this book is the perfect introduction for young readers.
Together for Kwanzaa
by Juwanda G. Ford, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger
Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday that’s celebrated across Africa and in African-American communities in the U.S. ‘Together for Kwanzaa’ is another opportunity to introduce your little ones to traditions and holidays they might otherwise not learn much about. This story follows Kayla who wants to help her older brother Khari make it home so they can celebrate Kwanzaa together as a family. It’s a great introduction to the principles of Kwanzaa.
Eight Sweet Nights, A Festival of Lights
by Charlotte Offsay, illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt
Lastly, a heartfelt book that celebrates Hanukkah and the traditions that surround this holiday. While your family may or may not celebrate holidays like Hanukkah and Diwali, we think it’s beautiful to raise your kids to know about all the different celebrations and festivals in the world. So there’s so much that we can learn from cultures and traditions that are different from ours.
This is one of our favorite books to share with your children to help them understand what makes this holiday so special.
Whether you’re curling up on the couch this Christmas to share a story or watch a movie together, we’re so grateful that you let us be a part of each moment. Our Christmas and winter collections are out now – designed to help your family be comfortable and cute all season long.
If you want more book recommendations, or movie picks or you just want the perfect snack to accompany your family time, make sure to browse our blog for more.
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Happy Holidays Birdies.
