Favorite Christmas Stories

by Mary Jo

The original Christmas story is of the journey to Bethlehem and the newborn infant who was laid in a manger, and the holiday has been inspiring Christmas stories ever since. They are stories of warmth, family, and love, of kindness and reconciliation.  One of the most famous is the poem "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" written in 1823 by Clement Clark Moore.  The depictions of Santa Claus, the chimney, and the sleigh pulled by reindeer have helped shape the imagery of American Christmases ever after. 

Another famous tale is Charles Dickens' 1843 novella, "A Christmas Carol" which has never been out of print and has a multitude of film and stage adaptations.  (I favor the movie version with George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge.)

I would say that Christmas movies are a cottage industry for TV and streaming services, except that the number produces is more of a vast industrial complex than a cottage industry.  I recently read that this year about 150 Christmas films are being released.  Many are traditional (I can't even guess how many Hallmark produces every year) but apparently new territory is being broken with gay and trans characters and many more people of color since the Christmas spirit is universal.

One of this year's crop of holiday movies is a recent Netflix release called A Castle for Christmas.  It's the tale of a best selling American author in meltdown who goes to the Scottish village where her father grew up. There she falls in love with a castle inhabited by a grumpy bankrupt duke. You can see where this is going. <G>  The leads are played by Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes, who was the divine Westley in The Princess Bride.  It was nice to see a story where the characters are of mature years. Scotland! Kilts! Happy endings!  Of course we liked it.

You'll have noticed that Christmas stories are very popular in the romance genre. Years ago, a friend of mine was in the very first Harlequin Historical Christmas anthology.   It was a huge success and the first royalty check almost knocked her out from shock. 

Christmas holiday anthologies have been booming ever since. The Signet Regency anthologies are still remembered with great fondness.  Several Wenches wrote stories for those anthologies, and we've done indie e-book releases of those stories in more recent times.  (Luckily historical novellas don't get outdated. <G>)

The Word Wenches have also done two collective anthologies, Mischief and Mistletoe, which had themes of wenches and inns, and The Last Chance Christmas Ball, where all our stories were set around a Christmas celebration in a stately home in Northumberland. 

And we're still writing holiday romances! Last year Anne Gracie wrote her first independently published story, the delightful The Christmas Bride, which is part of her Chance Sisters series. 

I'm also still writing Christmas novellas.  I believe it's almost impossible to write holiday stories that are too over the top sentimental. <G>  Kids, pets, reconciling with families of origin and finding families of choice.  Lonely people finding a transforming love that they never expected.  

My most recent novella came out in October as part of a Kensington anthology, A Yuletide Kiss.  My story, When Strangers Meet, includes my cat Princess Flufferbella, who thoroughly enjoys the holiday.  (Incidentally, my previous Kensington anthology, Seduction on a Snowy Night, is on sale through December for a mere 99 cents!  My story, One Wicked Winter Night, features my cat, Panda the Magnificent.)

There are so many wonderful Christmas stories available. One I love is Jo Beverley's novella, The Wise Virgin. It's not only a lovely romance, but creates a powerful sense of medieval spirituality. 

So tell me what some of your favorite stories are!  I'd love to discover new favorites.

Mary Jo

Comments

[Constance]

This post is a lovely Christmas gift, Mary Jo - thank you! I must admit that I have read and now re-read all the stories you’ve mentioned, except for The Wise Virgin, which I have just ordered. To find a Jo story I didn’t know is a special treat. Her Winter’s Fire is a long time favorite. Christmas in the Duke’s Arms, an anthology which finds various characters stranded in an inn called - surprise! - The Duke’s Arms, is another favorite. The Wenches introduced me to Trisha Ashley, and among her seasonal stories, my favorite will always be Twelve Days of Christmas, which includes a grand house, wonderful food, multiple generations of characters, much humor, and, of course, a strong heroine who finds satisfying romance. I also like the Victorian romance, A Holiday by Gaslight, by Mimi Matthews. Your own Christmas Cuckoo is a true favorite. Finally, two modern stories: Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher, and Boomerang Bride by Fiona Lowe. The first takes place primarily in a part of Scotland I love, and the second takes place in snowy Wisconsin (with an Australian heroine!). It is truly a wonder that, given all the favorites plus new stories every year, that I get a single cookie baked or gift wrapped!

[Christina Courtenay]

I just read your Christmas novella "Sunshine for Christmas" and loved it! There's nothing better to put a smile on your face than a Christmas love story! I have already read several of this year's crop of Christmas novels too and am really looking forward to watching that film with Cary Elwes! (Princess Bride - swoon!)

[Nancy Mayer]

I have just hauled out the Last Chance Christmas Ball and several of the Regency Christmas anthologies that I have. Also reread Christmas Revels which is one of my favorite collections of Regency Christmas stories. "Sunshine for Christmas" is very heart warming. I was so glad he finally found happiness. He deserved happiness. I am thankful that most of us don't have to suffer so long for a few careless words. A poignant story.I am now rereading Jo Beverley's A Christmas Angel.I have other Christmas stories in the stack by my bed.

[Annette N]

I love Christmas anthologies. I have some really old Signets. And when I see new ones....I have to dive right in.

Thanks so much for this post.

Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.

[Kareni]

I enjoyed both of the Wench anthologies along with a number of stories from those Signet collections and assorted stories by Mary Balogh and Carla Kelly. Two full length novels I would recommend are Leonie Mack's My Christmas Number One (contemporary) and Christmas Hope by Caroline Warfield.

Some enjoyable Christmas romances that feature two male leads include: N.R. Walker's novella A Soldier's Wish and The Best Gift by Eli Easton.

[Karin]

I have enjoyed all the Wenches Christmas stories. Anne Campbell's Christmas novellas are also favorites of mine, especially Her Christmas Earl which I have reread several times. And an old Signet favorite is Fallen Angel by Charlotte Louise Dolan, thankfully now available as an e-book. It brings a tear to your eye in a happy way.

[Teresa Broderick]

I've seen that movie. Quite fun really and the castle was beautiful!!

[Jane Nelson]

My favorite Christmas story has to be O. Henry's The Gifts of the Magi. It proves that the thought is worth more than the gift itself.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Constance, we have similar tastes! I also love WINTER SOLSTICE. A new Jo story is a cause for celebration. Now I need to look for the Duke's Arms. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Christina, I'm glad you enjoyed "Sunshine for Christmas!" It was my first novella, and it's held well. As has Cary Elwes!

[Mary Jo Putney]

'Tis the season, Nancy! I also love falling into the holiday stories at this time of year.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thanks for the good wishes, Annette. I hope this post leads you to some new favorite Christmas stories.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Kareni, as always thanks for the great new suggestions. Really, one can never have too many lovely Christmas stories on tap.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Karin, I've not read any Anne (Anna?) Campbell's Christmas novellas, but they sound worth looking for. Charlotte Louise Dolan I remember--she's another good writer.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Teresa, it was very fairy tale in the best way, wasn't it?!!!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jane, that's another great classic. I should have thought of that. (At least her hair will grow back!)

[Karin]

Yes, I meant Anna! She has many lovely Christmas stories. http://annacampbell.com/books-2/christmas-stories/

[Mary T]

My Christmas reading began a couple of months ago when I received a copy of Mary Jo's A YULETIDE KISS. I have a huge collection of novellas and novels. I have read them all before but I love them. I'm especially fond of Christmas stories with children and/or animals. Hard to pick a favorite because I love so many of them.

Right now I'm reading GREETINGS OF THE SEASONS AND OTHER STORIES by Barbara Metzger.

BTW, is that Princess Flufferbella I see under the tree?

[Mary Jo Putney]

Mary T--yes, that is the one and only Princess Flufferbella! She's very photogenic. *G* And her origin story is similar to her avatar in my story. She wandered into the back yard of a cat rescuer one cold January night, background unknown but very hungry--and TOTALLY charming! She was checked out medically and spayed and placed in the adoption cage at my cat hospital. I saw her and instantly fell in love.

[Binnie Syril Braunstein]

Mary Jo - Thanks so much for the lovely column. A great way to celebrate the holiday mood. I also love the vintage Harlequin and and Signet Christmas anthologies. I'm definitely a sucker for Christmas stories of any kind. As a matter of fact, I've written several short stories with Christmas settings. Thanks also for the pic of the very photogenic Princess Flufferbella.

[Vicki L]

I've dipped into my Trisha Ashley Christmas books recently as I've needed lovely comforting reads. Will have to bring Last Chance Christmas Ball to the top of my TBR as well.

Plus having new suggestions is lovely as well! Though I might have to wait for a more settled mind before reading anything new.

[Vicki L]

Just looked on Amazon and Christmas Hope by Caroline Warfield is only 99 cents US.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Karin, thanks for the link. I'll check them out!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Binnie, the Princess graciously accepts your appreciation. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thanks for the tip, Vicki--I'll check Christmas Hope out. Among the Ashleys, have you read A CHRISTMAS INVITATION? From last year; another very good one.

[Vicki L]

I'm reading A Christmas Invitation again now. Amazingly enough, the new Trisha Ashley, One More Christmas at the Castle is also 99c US. It has been 99 cents for a week now. Not sure how much longer that great price will last.

[Anne Gracie]

Mary Jo, thank you for the mention of my book, The Christmas Bride. I'm delighted to report that on Saturday night, at the 30th Romance Writers of Australia annual Awards Dinner, it won the prize for the best novella. Am feeling very chuffed. *g*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Congratulations on the award, Anne! The story richly deserved it. I think it's time for me to reread the story. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Vicki L, I saw that great price on ONE MORE CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE and felt a faint pang since I'd paid the original ebook price. But I'd wanted to read it THEN!