A list of books I used when researching my history of Christmas series. Includes books with a lot of lesser known information.
Here is a list of books I used writing my Christmas series, I thought would be a good to pass along to anyone interested in the history.
Christmas Customs Around the World by Herbert H. Wernecke
Although this book is bit dated, it gives great description of Christmas customs, history and traditions from all parts of the world.
All About Christmas by Maymie R. Krthye
This book is not very well organized, so if you are looking for information, it can be frustrating to use. Most of the chapters revolve around a single theme, like a Christmas carol, which isn’t very helpful. However, it is full of lesser known tales and histories about Christmas that are not only interesting, but also great for anyone doing research.
An Interview With Santa Clause by Margaret Mead and Rhoda Metraux
This charming little book can be read in about a minute making it perfect for both children and adults. It gives a good history of Saint Nicholas and Santa Clause, and touches upon other gift bearers, including Saint Lucia.
The Book of Christmas Folklore by Tristram Coffin
Mr. Coffin takes his Christmas folklore seriously, as shown in the very dry writing style of this book. However, it has loads of information that I found very useful.
The Truth About Santa Clause by James Cross Giblin
I highly recommend this book as a starting place for researching Saint Nicholas or the history of Christmas. Written for children, it gives all the necessary information without all the useless writer jargon.
Holly, Reindeer and Colored Lights by Edna Barth
A must have for anyone researching Christmas. Has a lot of historical info.
Christmas Around the World by Mary D. Lankford
A beautifully illustrated children’s book with a lot of useful information.
