I just cannot begin to tell of all the neat and unique books we have here at Schmaling for Christmas. Of course there are inspirational anthologies, and books of theological insights, but there is also a wonderful book full of delightful Dutch folk tales, many of which happen to be seasonally appropriate (think Sinterklaas…). Another contains a bunch of classic carols (like the actual piano music, too) along with sweet and concise stories of their background and personal relevance to the author Edward Heath (former Prime Minister of England). Then there’s Eleanor Roosevelt’s novel little book replete with accounts of Christmas at the White House, traditions shared with FDR and her family, and her favorite seasonal selections of prose and poetry.

I shall attend to my little errands of love
  Early, this year,
  So that the brief days before Christmas may be
  Unhampered and clear
  Of the fever of hurry.
  The breathless rushing that I have known in the past
  Shall not possess me.
  I shall be calm in my soul
  And ready at last
  For Christmas: "The Mass of the Christ."
  I shall kneel and call out His name;
  I shall take time to watch the beautiful light
  Of a candle's flame;
  I shall have leisure-I shall go out alone
  From my roof and my door;
  I shall not miss the silver silence of stars
  As I have before;
  And, oh, perhaps-If I stand there very still,
  And very long-
  I shall hear what the clamor of living has     kept from me:
  The Angel's song!

— by Grace Noll Crowell,
from Clarence Andrew’s anthology Christmas in the Midwest

There’s also still plenty of time to whip out a simple homemade gift or Christmas treat; may these books offer you some good old-fashioned “hard-copy” inspiration (and instruction)!