The Essential Christmas Classics Collection (Boxed Set)

This collection brings together magical and pensive Christmas tales, from well-known authors such as Dickens, brothers Grimm, and Louisa May Alcott. The the text largely unabridged (only noted to have editorial revisions), the assorted stories are an excellent introduction to Christmas fables, classic authors, and the writing style of their time.

I enjoyed all three volumes, with the mix of tales both familiar and new-to-me. The Christmas Carol, having many rather faithful adaptations, generally comes with no surprises, but the text of the Nutcracker is quite different from the ballet and it's neat to see how subsequent productions in dance or film have highlighted various elements to bring it to life in unique ways. Originally, for example, Clara is the name of a doll, owned by little Marie who is blackmailed for sweets and other treasures by the rat king (truly, a child's nightmare). The short stories vary in genre and length, from two-page fables to full chapter-sized adventures of Santa's tempters or a Christmas saved by kindness, well-suited for holiday story-time or for a young reader to pick up on their own (as long as they aren't daunted by old-timey language).

Together, the paperbacks and slipcase make for a pretty, light-weight set that will be right at home in a growing collection or holiday display.