Christmas books are fun to read with family and friends. But they’re also one of the easiest ways to add warmth and nostalgia to your holiday decorating.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite Christmas book display ideas along with classic holiday reads we love in our home. Think of this as your inspiration list for styling, reading, and creating sweet Christmas moments.
Let’s dive into creative ways to decorate with Christmas books, and then I’ll share some of our favorite titles to display and enjoy.
Christmas Book Display Ideas
These Christmas book display ideas are simple, budget-friendly, and full of holiday charm. You can use them anywhere in your home, office, book nook, or library to create cozy vignettes and festive moments.
1. Style Christmas Books on a Bookcase with a Stand and Ornaments
A bookcase is an easy place to start. Pick one special Christmas book and place it on a small book stand, the same kind you might use for art or a pretty plate.
Swap out an everyday piece, like a framed family photo, and let the book cover be the star. Then tuck a few vintage ornaments or small decorations around the base for sparkle and texture.
On one of my shelves, I turned the other books around so the pages faced outward. The soft, neutral edges created a monochromatic backdrop that highlighted the Christmas book and added a cozy, rustic feel.
2. Display a Special Christmas Book as a Simple Table Centerpiece
Pretty, meaningful books make wonderful centerpieces. Choose a favorite Christmas book, like an Advent book or a family classic, and place it right in the middle of your dining table or beside your nativity.
Let the cover shine on its own. No extra decor is needed because the artwork becomes part of the centerpiece.
What I love about this idea is how practical it is. Your book is right there, easy to reach, so that you can read a little together each night during dinner. It turns the table into a place of sweet tradition and quiet moments.
3. Style a Ribbon-Tied Christmas Book Stack in a Decorative Tray
Stacking Christmas books is such a charming way to create a welcoming holiday display. Gather two or three books, tie them with a pretty ribbon, and place the bundle inside a decorative tray — round, rectangular, tiered, or whatever fits your style.
For mine, I used a simple white tray, added the ribbon-tied book stack, and tucked in a strand of Christmas greenery tied with twine. The mix of textures feels warm and old-world, and it adds instant holiday charm.
Set the finished tray on your entryway table so it’s one of the first things guests see when they walk in. But truly, this idea works anywhere you want a sweet, simple vignette.
4. Create a Ribbon-Tied Christmas Book Stack with Hanging Bells
This is one of the most popular way to style Christmas books — and it’s incredibly easy to pull together.
Take a small stack of hardback books and tie them with a pretty ribbon, then hang a couple of Christmas ornaments, I used bells, from the bow. The bells add that perfect little touch of sparkle and nostalgia.
You can place this bundle on top of another book, open or closed, to add height and interest. Mine sits on an open book for a layered, collected look, but it also looks beautiful nestled inside a tray.
This display works anywhere: on a coffee table, an ottoman, a dresser, or even a bedroom nightstand. It feels curated, cozy, and wonderfully festive.
5. Create a Story-Themed Christmas Book Display
This is one of the most charming ways to decorate with Christmas books — build a little vignette that matches the story inside.
Place your book on a small stand, then add decorations that relate to the theme.
For The Gingerbread Baby, I used a tiny basket filled with gingerbread men cookies, sprinkled a little Epsom salt around the tray to mimic sugar, and added a kitchen towel in coordinating colors.
A cup of cocoa and a few kitchen touches made the whole scene feel warm and playful — almost like the gingerbread baby had just dashed through the room.
Because this story is all about baking, displaying it in the kitchen feels perfectly natural.
It’s sweet, whimsical, and guaranteed to make people smile.
6. Style Christmas Books Inside a Vintage Tray with a Mini Tree
Vintage serving trays make excellent foundations for Christmas book displays.
At my daughter’s home, where we decorated with a Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas look, we used an old silver baking dish with legs to create a beautiful centerpiece.
Stack a couple of your favorite books, including Christmas classics, inside the tray. Then place a small tabletop Christmas tree beside them. The mix of the antique tray, the books, and the tiny tree creates a collected, elegant look with so much charm.
This idea works on a dining table, sideboard, console table, or coffee table, anywhere you want a pretty holiday moment with a vintage feel.
7. Make a Christmas Book Tree Using Stacked Open Books
This next idea is such a showstopper, and it’s easier than it looks. I found this book tree on Pinterest and immediately fell in love with the creativity and charm.
To make one, start with a sturdy brass candlestick holder as your base. Place an open book, face down, on top of the candle holder so the pages drape downward. Then place another open book on top of the first, slightly smaller, letting it fan out naturally.
Continue stacking open books this way, choosing gradually smaller books as you work your way up. Finish with a small book on top to create the “tree peak.”
To decorate your book tree, add a ribbon bow with long trailing tails and embellish it with strands of pearls or delicate ornaments. Set a string of Christmas lights around the base to give it a warm, magical glow on your counter or tabletop.
It’s whimsical, elegant, and a fun twist on decorating with books, a true conversation piece!
Now that we have some fun Christmas book display ideas, here are some of our favorite Christmas books to read and decorate with.
Best Christmas Books to Display and Enjoy
After trying a few display ideas, you may be wondering which books look beautiful out on display and make meaningful reads during the season.
These Christmas classics are some of our family’s most treasured books. They're perfect for stacking, styling, or leaving out so anyone can pick one up and read by the tree.
The Night Before Christmas — Clement C. Moore
This large, beautifully illustrated edition looks stunning on a coffee table. It’s a must-read on Christmas Eve and a gorgeous book to display on a shelf or mantel.
Check out The Night Before Christmas here.
The Polar Express — Chris Van Allsburg
The artwork alone is magical. But the story, a boy rediscovering the wonder of Christmas, makes this book one you’ll want front and center in your holiday decor.
Shop The Polar Express here.
The Gingerbread Baby — Jan Brett
Jan Brett’s illustrations feel like opening a tiny Christmas cottage. This whimsical story is perfect for kids, and the cover adds charm wherever you display it.
Take a peek at The Gingerbread Baby here.
The Crippled Lamb — Max Lucado
A gentle, heartwarming book that tells the true meaning of Christmas. This one is beautiful near a nativity or anywhere quiet and reflective.
Shop for The Crippled Lamb here.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey — Susan Wojciechowski
A tender story about love, loss, and joy found again. The wood-carving scenes make it a lovely book to display near rustic or vintage decor.
Take a peek at the Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas — Dr. Seuss
Bright, playful, and perfect for families with young children. The bold cover pops beautifully in a Christmas vignette.
Shop the Grinch Stole Christmas here.
A Charlie Brown Christmas — Charles M. Schulz
This nostalgic classic brings back all the childhood feels. It adds charm anywhere you display it and tells the true meaning of Christmas.
Read more about Charlie Brown Christmas here.
Punchinello and the Most Marvelous Gift — Max Lucado
A sweet story about giving. This one looks beautiful, tied with ribbon or styled in a small book stack.
Shop for Punchinello and the Most Marvelous Gift here.
After trying a few of these Christmas book display ideas and gathering some of your favorite books, you’ll start to notice how fun and easy it is to style books for the holidays. Most of the magic comes from the little details — a ribbon here, a sprig of greenery there, or a tiny ornament that ties everything together.
If you want to recreate any of the displays I shared, here are some helpful items to keep on hand.
What You Need for Christmas Book Decorating
- Christmas books
- Easels
- Ornaments
- Christmas tree branches
- Mini battery operated lights
- White sheer ribbon and vintage ribbon
- Bells
- Wooden house
- Kitchen towel
- Tiny basket
- Gingerbread men cookies
- Fake snow or sugar
Now that you have a few favorite supplies gathered, you can mix and match them to create your own Christmas book displays. There’s no right or wrong way to do it — follow the colors, textures, and stories that make you smile.
Once you start styling with books, you’ll be surprised by how quickly these little vignettes bring warmth to every corner of your home.
Conclusion
Decorating with Christmas books is such a simple way to add charm, warmth, and meaning to your home. Most of us already have a few holiday books tucked away, so why not bring them out and enjoy them in a new way?
Whether you style them in a tray, tie them with ribbon, feature them on a stand, or tuck them into a cozy vignette, these Christmas book display ideas invite slow moments, shared stories, and sweet holiday memories.
Do you decorate with Christmas books too? I’d love to hear your traditions in the comments.
For more Christmas decorating inspiration, you may enjoy:
- How to Make a Christmas Village Wreath
- Blue Christmas Decoration Ideas with Hints of Vintage Victorian
- Simple Elegant Farmhouse Christmas Mantel Decorations
Thanks for coming and joining us here at Life on Summerhill, and Merry Christmas!!
Happy Decorating!
Can you share where or how to find the advent book!
Thanks to your question I found that it is available again. Here is a link and I will link it in the body of the article. https://bit.ly/3uCPvL1