Books make great gifts for the Holidays and they almost always play a central role in many Holiday memories. When my children were very young, I would handpick a special book every Holiday and inscribe a message to each of my sons. Marking the date is also wonderful as it anchors you at that moment in time and serves as a reference point. Even though these books have been passed down to younger siblings and cousins, it’s fun to read the moment in which the book was given. That being said, I want to share the most special book I received for the Holidays. My family had just moved to Asheville and my youngest sons were just toddlers. They were getting very excited for Christmas and a good friend gave me The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell. It’s a beautiful story about selfless giving as told by a little angel. He is trying to find treasures for the Nativity and he decides to use a box of his most treasured belongings. While very small, they were truly his most prized possessions. I always have to hold back the tears when I read this part of the story since the Littlest Angel’s belongings represented my boys’ treasures at the time–a bird’s egg, several stones and butterfly wings.
Catherine from Marketing, shares her favorite Holiday book gift: “I am a self-described ‘book snob’ so when I unwrapped a paperback copy of Paulo Coehlo’s The Alchemist one Christmas, I smiled and thanked my mother politely for the gift. To my surprise, all three Campbell daughters received a copy of The Alchemist. My mother had written a personal inscription in each one. It was only after I read this incredible book did I realize why it’s so popular–it’s a wonderful story about remaining humble, working hard, and connecting with others who aspire to live life fully. My mother gave me this as a reminder that I am a dreamer and I should follow my dreams no matter what.”
Amber from Customer Service shares, “While I don’t really have a story about having received a book, I do have a story involving a book. Every Christmas Eve my grandfather would light a fire in the fireplace and gather all the kids around him and read to us the whole ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas‘ poem. He always made sure to let us know that he’d douse the fire so Santa wouldn’t get singed.
What’s your fondest memory of a book you have received or read during Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa? We’d love to hear….
You have really interesting blog, keep up posting such informative posts!
Couldn’t agree more Jennifer! Books are a family tradition for us at the Holidays. My favorite was ‘Moon Palace’ from author Paul Auster. Great writer!