I need a cosy, comforting Christmas-set book

[TheHouseofMirth]

I'm prone to getting very stressed about Christmas and all I have to do and I want to slow down and enjoy the preparations this year. I thought a nice, cosy novel set at Christmas time (preferably between 1920 and 1970 but not essential!) might help.

Any suggestions please?

If you don't mind a children's book, read The Story of Holly and Ivy, by Rumer Godden. Beautiful, very sad in places, but with a suitably Christmassy ending :)

I've just finished winter solstice by rosamunde pilcher from a recommendation on the christmas thread.

It's not really my type of book usually but I loved it. Very gentle and made me feel very Christmassy.

sally - I think that might've been my recommendation - glad you enjoyed it! It really is a very warm and comforting story for cold, wet December days.

Ooh yes, Winter Solstice is wonderful.

I read it every Christmas! How sad am I?

Thanks seeline. I loved it! Couldn't wait to get to bed each night to read it.

I used to love the sTory of holly and ivy as a child! I still have it somewhere, may rummage it out to read to dcs, thanks for the reminder!

Perhaps quite relevant, but I bought a copy of The Nutcracker today for someone who loves the music and the ballet. It's the original story, so will have all the traditional Christmassy elements.

Not a long read but probably lovely on an evening in front of the fire and the tree.

Is the Rosamunde Pilcher book really good? I've had it up in the attic for a few years unread. It was supposed to be a book club choice, but we changed our minds. I've never liked the sound of it.

From children's books Green Knowe has lovely, and pagan influenced, Christmas chapters.
Similarly The Country Child by Alison Uttley (though no pagan elements). The author also has a compilation of Christmas stories
Hobberdy Dick - though set in C17 and involving folklore, puritans and house spirits.