22 Books From Target To Get You In The Holiday Spirit
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Hey! While weāre doing our best to make sure the products we feature will arrive in time for Christmas, shipping times are especially tricky this year and can vary depending on where you live, which product you purchase, and more. Shop early and be sure to double check the retailersā websites for shipping information to ensure that your gift will arrive in time for the 25th!
1. Let's start with a classic. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore makes for a gorgeous, illustrated keepsake that'll become the centerpiece of Christmas traditions to come.
Promising review: "Saw in store and had to grab it. Pictures are lovely and it's a classic must-have. First Christmas this year and I canāt wait to use this for a long time. ALSO, there are six pages in the back to detail Christmas memories over the years. Didn't realize until I got home and was super ecstatic." āTay
Price: $12.99
2. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss chronicles 34-year-old Kate Turner's litany of first dates in this comedic countdown to Christmas.
3. I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison follows a young girl and her mother as they soak up the festive sights and smells of their city. Plus, it's written and illustrated by an amazing husband-wife duo. What's sweeter than that?
4. The Elf on the Shelf by Chanda Bell is an interactive story about a scout elf who reports their findings to Santa each night during the holidays. The corresponding figurine brings the story to life ā and gives little ones an extra incentive to be good this time of year. Whatever it takes, am I right?
Promising review: "So worth the money. My little girl can't wait to find where Isabella Christmas is each morning when she wakes. Great quality and it has helped her take interest in reading, sounding out her words, and being extra good!" āIsabella Christmas
Price: $29.95
In addition to this blue-eyed elf beauty, there are additional versions of the Elf on the Shelf doll to choose from: Blue-Eye Boy Elf, Brown-Eye Girl Elf, and Brown-Eye Boy Elf.
5. Mutts and Mistletoe by Natalie Cox follows Charlie on an unexpected journey watching her cousin's doggy daycare over the holiday season, successfully combining two of the most magical things I can think of: dogs and Christmas.
Price: $10.38
6. 5 More Sleeps Till Christmas by Jimmy Fallon brings the late night TV show host's humor to a playful story about the most exciting week of the year!
Promising review: "This book is so adorable. It even has a letter your child can send to Santa." āChristmas book
Price: $18.99
7. I Spy Christmas by Jean Marzollo gathers the family with a holiday edition of the classic "I Spy" book format. It's an activity book that has successfully spanned generations and will provide hours of entertainment for you and little ones alike.
Price: $12.89
8. The Official Downton Abbey Christmas Cookbook by Weldon Owen & Regula Ysewijn is a gorgeous coffee table cookbook filled with popular British Christmas dishes from the Edwardian era. It's the closest you can get to actually sitting down with the Crawley family for a holiday feast.
Price: $31.99
9. The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries edited by Otto Penzler keeps any armchair detective or true crime lover entertained with its anthology of (loosely) Christmas-themed mysteries.
Price: $25.49
10. DC Christmas Carols: We Wish You a Harley Christmas by Daniel Kibblesmith offers all your favorite holiday songs with a DC comic book twist! This year, annoy your grandma and whip out tunes like "I Saw Lois Kissing Superman" and "O Lantern's Light" when you're singing around the piano.
Price: $14.99
11. Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson warms hearts with its tale about a hibernating bear's friends doing their best to celebrate the holidays and keep Bear awake!
Promising review: "Bought this book as part of her holiday parcel. Itās such a lovely story about helping others and doing things for others and the illustrations are beautiful. So glad I purchased it." āTarget Reviewer
Price: $7.49
12. The Little Book of Christmas Joy by Jennifer Basye Sander collects more than 50 true holiday stories that run the emotional gambit from happy to heartbreaking ā but all heartwarming.
Price: $11.89
13. The Nutcracker in Harlem by T.E. McMorrow is a jazzy reimagining of The Nutcracker during the height of the Harlem Renaissance in NYC, flipping the quintessential holiday tale on its head.
Price: $14.49
14. A Merry Christmas Cookbook tickles your tastebuds with Disney-inspired recipes like Elsa's Snowy Mac & Cheese, Simba's Muddy Brownies, and so much more! You'll be cooking up some holiday spirit with the kiddos in no time.
Price: $9.89
15. A Christmas Carol completes your holiday book collection with this classic tale of three ghosts and the infamous Scrooge.
Price: $21.99
16. A Treasury of African American Christmas Stories edited by Bettye Collier-Thomas is an acclaimed collection of writings from prominent Black writers that reflects the holiday traditions and experiences of everyday Black people during the late 19th century to the modern civil rights movement.
Price: $18.39
17. A Very Mater Christmas by Frank Berrios is a sparkling board book following Mater and Lightning McQueen from Disney/Pixar's Cars as they celebrate the holidays in Radiator Springs!
Price: $6.99
18. Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes captures a Hallmark-worthy holiday romance set at a picturesque Vermont inn.
Promising review: "Better than a Hallmark movie! I fell in love with the setting of this story! Anita Hughes's descriptions always make me feel like I have lived them. This story was romantic, realistic, and put me right into the holiday spirit! I want to see this book become a movie!! London, Paris, a Chalet, and Vermont....I cannot wait to see where Anita Hughes takes me for Christmas next year." āTarget Reviewer
Price: $11.98
19. Together for Christmas by bestselling authors Debbie Macomber, Brenda Novak, Sheila Roberts, and Raeanne Thayne compiles short stories spanning four different towns, all centered around the theme of sharing memories with loved ones during the holiday season.
Price: $14.38
20. Thomas Counts on Christmas is a lift-the-flap board book perfect for any train-loving kid learning to practice how to count down to the most exciting day of the year!
Price: $6.99
21. Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien organizes letters Tolkien created for his children, which would arrive every December with a stamp from the North Pole. Each letter spins wonderful tales of life at Father Christmas's house with hand-sketched illustrations that will delight any fantasy-loving Tolkein fan or just anyone in need of a little holiday magic.
Price: $28
22. Merry Christmas! Love, Mad Libs entertains everyone with a series of fun word games you can play alone or with family and friends ā even over Zoom! Get ready for hours of hilarious, holiday entertainment.
Price: $13.97
You slipping into something comfortable for a relaxing evening of reading:
Reviews here have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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