EASY AND CHEAP DECORATING IDEAS USING CHRISTMAS BOOKS

Best Christmas book decorating ideas. Holiday books are great to read with family and friends, but did you know they are fun to decorate with too? Here are some of our favorite Christmas books to read and decorate with, plus a few suggestions from some of my blogger friends.

Christmas time is a great time for books. These best Christmas book decorating ideas range from classics to modern stories for children and adults. Some are funny and some are sweet. But there is one thing I can honestly share that they have become a family tradition to read during the holidays in our home. 

So let's see how many books you have heard of and maybe even read in your home plus ideas on how to decorate with Christmas books. Let's dive into some classic Christmas books and get ready to start your Christmas book list!

BEST CHRISTMAS BOOKS

This first book is an all-time classic that has been read for many many years in homes all over the world. This edition is a large-size book with beautiful illustrations. This Christmas classic featuring is a must-read on Christmas Eve.

It is a great coffee table Christmas book or you can use the pages as art over your mantle in your decorations. This is one of the best books for the season.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Clement C. Moore

The Night Before Christmas is a timeless and beautiful book is about that magical night when children around the world await gifts filled with warmth and love. Father Christmas does not disappoint. Whether their first Christmas book or their hundredth, it's sure to be a favorite Christmas book in your family. And for family's with a new addition, it makes the perfect gift to start a holiday tradition.

THE POLAR EXPRESS by Chris Van Allsburg

The Polar Express is beautifully illustrated but it is the story that will touch your heart.  A boy who no longer believes in Santa Claus boards the Polar Express to eventually find the magic of Christmas again. It's a Christmas tale for the whole family.

THE GINGERBREAD BABY by Jan Brett

The illustrations in this book are my favorite of all!  Jan Brett has included many cute stories to read and the magical drawings inside will make you smile. 

This story is about a little boy who takes a peek too early and encounters a gingerbread baby who happens to be quite a handful!  After many animals and the whole town trying to catch him you will never believe who ends up nabbing him. Your young children will love this book.

You will have to read more to see for yourself.

THE CRIPPLED LAMB by Max Lucado

Now let's look at some books that tell what Christmas is really all about. 

The Crippled Lamb is a heartwarming tale about a lamb who wishes he could do what all the other lambs do. But because of his disability, he just happens to be in the right place at the right time to help someone very very special–baby Jesus!

THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY by Susan Wojciechowski

This book is about love and patience and finding joy again. It's about a man whose heart is heavy and comes to finds joy through a little boy, his mom, and carving a nativity. A wonderful tale to teach young kids about the Christmas spirit.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS by Dr. Suess

You're definitely familiar with this Christmas story from Dr. Seuss if you have young readers. What a strange but beautiful way to teach about the true meaning of Christmas. The Grinch is a miserable miserly character who takes joy, or so he thinks, in destroying the Whoville's Christmas. But this Christmas something happens to the Grinch that will transform his tiny little heart!

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS by Charles M. Schulz

This is one of my husbands favorite Christmas television shows so I couldn't leave out this book. I'm sure you'll spot some of your favorite characters, too.

Charlie Brown, so discouraged by all the materialism of Christmas is chosen to direct the school Christmas play. You have to see what happens at the end. It will touch your heart and change your holiday focus about the spirit of Christmas. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

PUNCHINELLO AND THE MOST MARVELOUS GIFT by Max Lucado

This holiday book will take you on a journey with Punchinello, as he searches for the best gift ever for Eli at the Makers Day Festival.  Follow along on his quest to find out what is the best gift of all.

HOW DO I DECORATE WITH CHRISTMAS BOOKS?

These are just a few classic Christmas books I think you'll love. Now that you have a list of Christmas books that are beautiful to look at and meaningful to read, here are some ways you can decorate with them and share the magic of the season.

I love decorating with books any time of year, so how much fun it is to change things up with your Christmas books too!  These ideas will allow you to leave your books out all holiday season so it is convenient and easy to grab one and curl up on the couch with your loved ones to read. Whether you have new books or old, you're sure to find an idea that will help you share your holiday spirit.

BOOKCASE

One place you can always display holiday books is your bookcase. In this instance, I removed a framed family photo and displayed one of our books that I thought worked in nicely with the color scheme of this shelf. Then I added some simple old ball ornament to give it a little more character.  Simple and easy!

Here is a larger view of the bookcase so you have more perspective.  Also, notice that I turned around some of the books on the top shelf.  I felt that the monocromatic colors allow the Christmas book to stand out more and the texture was a nice change for the whole shelf.

DINING TABLE

Our Advent Book is probably the most special Christmas book of all except for the Bible.  A great place to decorate with this book is near your Nativity.  In our case, our Nativity is on our table in the living room.  When you have a book this pretty it can sit on a table or even a coffee table as decoration.

HALLWAY

Just when you are headed down the hall in our home you will find this chest.  I  thought it would be fun to add a tray with the remaining books all tied together some ribbon and garnished with Christmas tree branches.  The branches are tied with some twine to add a little character.

COFFEE TABLE OR OTTOMAN

Coffee tables are great places to display books!  This idea can work on a coffee table, ottoman or sofa table.  Take a larger size book, in this case, I used a large print book, then add some classic hardback books tied together with white ribbon and adorned with some bells.  Then simply add a wooden house to the side and you have the perfect ensemble decorations.

KITCHEN

The last place in our home to decorate with Christmas books is in our kitchen area. I love decorating this hutch for any holiday so our Gingerbread baby book was perfect. 

What is it about gingerbread that calls for some kitchen decor? This display was so easy!  Here is how I created it. 

Simply display your book on an easel, add a tiny basket with gingerbread men, and don't forget the ribbon. I found these gingerbread men at Trader Joe's. 

Then add a kitchen towel that matches the illustration colors, sprinkle some snow, a coffee cup and you're done.  So easy to do but looks amazing! 

WHAT DO I NEED FOR CHRISTMAS BOOK DECORATING?

Here is a list of possible items you will need to create your own 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

CONCLUSION

Well, I think we have covered most of the main areas in our home for decorating with books. I hope you have enjoyed coming for a visit and I really hope you have gotten some ideas. The Christmas season is a wonderful time to share stories and what better way than putting your favorite Christmas books on display.

Most everyone has at least one Christmas book laying around, so consider doing something different this year and decorate with your books for fun. Do you decorate with Christmas books? I'd love to hear your favorite Christmas traditions for decorating with Christmas books in the comments!

If you're looking for more Christmas decor inspiration, check out these posts:

• 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!

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