Probably Just Being Nostalgic:
lately, I find myself seeking nostalgia type of things...mainly Christmas books from my childhood. Maybe it's due to simpler times? Maybe it's due to all the joy I remember having around that particular holiday.
I know, it's only July and I am already thinking of Christmas. I think you can figure out that I am that type of person who is dreaming of the next holiday season before summers really begun.
Do people even read blogs anymore? unless it's part of a school assignment to find sources for a paper? I don't believe this would be a reliable source if they're looking 😂.
This is simply me, and my personality coming out online. Who it reaches? I don't really know, all I know is I enjoy writing and nostalgic things from my childhood. I hold tight to those fond memories around entertainment, and that's what I will be doing today. Sharing books from my childhood, unfortunately I couldn't find the ones I held dearest due to their rarity. Maybe one day? Who knows.
Well...I will be sharing Christmas books from my childhood I suppose, not just regular good ol' books.
This first book (no, I am not doing wrap text for this blog post), Search for Santa's Helpers, was a "Where's Waldo" type of fun book with crowded photos where ya had to find the elves in each picture. It was fun and kept my siblings and I occupied for a bit, which was probably my parents goals.
Can you figure out how old I am from my choice of childhood books? The Amelia Bedelia books would crack me up as a child, her taking things in their literal definition...God has a sense of humor because now I have a child just like this, oh how I love my kid. This one was a "just me" book that my siblings didn't care too much about but I valued it.
This version of "The Nutcracker", "Noel", "The Animals' Christmas Eve", "The Night Before Christmas", and "12 days of Christmas" were ones we read regularly during December. The Little Golden books were treasured in my families household growing up, and I hope to share them with my own kids when they're old enough to not rip & destroy good books. The book "12 days before Christmas" was not the most treasured version in my home though, and there was a version that was a board book with board pages and around 19 inches tall and 14 inches wide that was far more treasured. It had all the sentimental value, but fell apart easy which is probably why it got tossed out around my teen years.
Truthfully, I don't remember these ones all that well. My mom still has them (well two of them because they came in sets of two from Avon I believe). We had the purple and yellow ones growing up. I believe they are pop-up books. My family loved them, but my memory of them are little to none.
This book I remember most, but I believe it was because my family bought it when I was twelve years old. That was nineteen years ago now 😱 Ya'll, I am old. I guess being old means more nostalgia to keep hold of at the end of the day. This story was one that kept Jesus' story alive that wasn't just reading the nativity story from the bible. It kept it fun, and helped us remember the gospel during the most important time of the year to remember it. Although this wasn't the book that started my deep dive into learning freely about theology (hey oh, I am a presbyterian if that helps--devout Christian), it was one that helped solidify truth & keep it in perspective.
All these books mainly hold fond memories of Christmas coming, and time with family. For some reason, Christmas was the most hyped up holiday in our household (maybe that's why my siblings and I are all obsessed with the season) and it brought us each joy. From the movies that played, to the books read regularly, to the decorations, and to the good food.
Nostalgia, I love it...probably why I have come back to blogging. I am still on the hunt for the books I cannot find, to hold on to the fond memories a bit longer, and to see if I can read them again one day to my own children. Thanks for reading and learning about some "classic" Christmas books and maybe going back in time with me. I am not the type to paint a pretty picture, but usually quick to explain. Hopefully it held your attention.
God Bless
~Mik~
