Picking the Perfect Fiction, Non-Fiction or Personalised Christmas Book

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Whether you know you want to buy a personalised Christmas book for a child in your life or you’re after presents to send to those you love who will be celebrating Christmas around the world, or are looking for something for your boss as a simple but thoughtful corporate gift, a good read always makes a great festive gift.

From Christmas books for kids or a version of the classic A Christmas Carol book to tales that tell of the life and adventures of Santa Claus or snowmen at night, a well-chosen tome is something to be treasured – often long after toys and technology have been outgrown.

A book is a great buy for any budget too. Whether you want to buy a single, simple paperback, want to purchase a personalised Christmas story book or to invest in a hardback Harry Potter box set, books featuring fabulous stories, their favourite characters or a hobby will always go down well as gifts.

You’ll find all the best Christmas books for all your family and friends right here – whether they live close to you in Adelaide, in outback Broken Hill or sunny Coolongatta. Even if they’re on the other side of the world, a book is one of the easiest gifts ever to wrap, package and send. Just don’t forget to check the last posting dates with Australia Post!

We also have a dedicated gift guide for book lovers, which you can check out right here.

Finding the ideal novel, factual or personalised Christmas book for friends and family

If the gifts for book lovers you’d like to buy are – well, actual books – check out these ideas for some festive gift-giving inspiration! From the story of Santa Claus for children to some literary classics for grown-ups, all the best Christmas books for kids and adults on this list.

Christmas books for kids

There are so many festive titles for children. Here are some of our top suggestions for those seeking the best Christmas books for kids this year. Whether you want Christmas books for 2 year olds or Christmas chapter books, there are plenty of classic Christmas books for kids to choose from.

A personalised Christmas book

Scoopon may not seem the obvious place to start, but if you’re looking to personalise a book with the child’s name, you’re onto a winner with them. They offer a selection of personalised story books for kids – at great value prices. Simply click the link below to see the latest offers!

Click here to see some personalised kids’ books on Scoopon

Christmas around the world books

There are lots of books for kids and adults featuring a Christmas around the world theme. These are perhaps interesting for Australian children in particular, as they will see how much of the planet celebrates during the winter rather than in summer. Various editions are available, including Disney’s It’s a Small World.

Click here to view some Christmas around the world themed books

The Gingerbread Man

While not really a Christmas book as such, the tale of The Gingerbread Man is a kids’ classic – and comes in so many formats for children of all ages. There are board book versions suitable for those under a year old, so even the youngest gingerbread baby can get in on the act. Author Laura Murray has also written a festive themed book called The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas.

Click here to view a range of books based on The Gingerbread Man

A Boy Called Christmas series

The original A Boy Called Christmas story has since spurned a series, and author Matt Haig’s other titles now include Father Christmas and Me and The Girl Who Saved Christmas. You can buy the books singly, or as a box set of two or three.

Click here to view the books of the A Boy Called Christmas series

The Night Before Christmas book

There are now many versions of this classic available, so it’s ideal for those seeking Christmas stories for toddlers or older kids. Editions include Christmas board books for little ones, paperbacks for preschoolers and a New York Times bestseller hardback version of the ‘Twas the Night before Christmas book. James Rice’s Cajun Night before Christmas is also well worth a look.

Click here to see all The Night Before Christmas book options

Click here to view a Cajun Night Before Christmas by James Rice

The Grinch book

Again there’s a range of Grinch books to choose from. There’s a board book with flaps for toddlers to lift, and colouring or sticker books for bigger kids. School age kids can enjoy reading How The Grinch Stole Christmas or even get Cooking With The Grinch.

Click here to view a selection of The Grinch books

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

This is just one of a hugely popular series of books starring – you guessed it. Pete the Cat. Eric Litwin’s comic creation is a great tonic at any time of year – for the adult as much as any young child they’re reading it to. Other titles include Pete the Cat’s 12 Groovy Days of Christmas and Snow Daze.

Click here to see Pete the Cat Saves Christmas and other stories

Raymond Briggs Christmas books

As well as the world famous Snowman book, the Raymond Briggs Father Christmas title is also a top quality kids’ title, told mainly via illustrations rather than words. Available titles are The Snowman, Father Christmas, The Snowman and the Snowdog and Father Christmas. Every one makes the perfect festive book to snuggle up together with.

Click here to view Father Christmas and Snowman books by Raymond Briggs

A Nightmare Before Christmas book

For a ghoulish twist on the well-known night before Christmas story, older kids who love all things ghostly or gothic will enjoy A Nightmare Before Christmas. There’s Disney animated classics and manga versions, one written and illustrated by movie director Tim Burton or even a themed cookbook, tarot card deck or adult colouring book.

Click here to see A Nightmare Before Christmas book options

Harry Potter books

We couldn’t possible write about kids’ books and leave out the world’s number one boy wizard. Whether it’s a single paperback title, a fancy new box set or an impressive illustrated edition, stories about The Boy Who Lived almost always go down a treat. With many adults as well as children.

Click here to view Harry Potter box sets and individual books

If you do know a keen Potterhead, don’t miss our guide to all the best Harry Potter gifts!

Books for kids of all ages at QBD

If you fancy a browse, why not check out what’s currently featured on the QBD books website? They offer a huge range of books for children – whatever their age and interests. From the latest David Walliams or Diary of a Wimpy Kid title to Bluey lift the flap, story or magnet books for little ones, you’re certain to discover the perfect read at QBD.

Click here to view the QBD range of books for children

Children’s books from Gifts Australia

Another option for those looking at what’s out there is offered in the form of the Gifts Australia website. All kinds of kids’ books are for sale here, so you can see a varied selection of options. Whatever the age of the child. We love the Peter Rabbit Big Box of Little Books, the Lonely Planet World Atlas, The Big Book of Bugs, No One Likes a Fart and Ladybird’s Tales of Adventurous Girls.

Click here to see a selection of kids’ books at Gifts Australia

christmas book

Christmas books for adults

There’s no need to leave the grown-ups out! If you’re looking to give something with a festive theme, take a look at this list of all the best Christmas novels and non-fiction books for all the adults you know.

A Child’s Christmas in Wales

If they love classic literary fiction, this title from Welsh author Dylan Thomas should please them. There are paperback, hardback and even audio editions available. It tells the idyllic tale of all the festive traditions, from feasting and carolling to trimming the tree – all captured in Thomas’s inimitable lilting prose.

Click here to see various versions of A Child’s Christmas in Wales

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas

Agatha Christie’s well-known detective is the star of this festive classic, as well as a follow-up called The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding. The books are available on audio CD, as a Kindle edition, or of course in assorted paperback or hardback versions.

Click here to view a selection of Hercule Poirot’s Christmas books

Christmas Shopaholic

The festive season is all about relaxation and having fun – and there are few women’s fiction books better to unwind with than Sophie Kinsella’s hilarious Shopaholic series. If they’re avid fans who’ve already got Christmas Shopaholic, there are lots of other titles to pick from. Including Mini Shopaholic, Shopaholic to the Rescue and half a dozen more.

Click here to see Christmas Shopaholic and other titles in the series

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Another suggestion for fans of classic literature. While everyone surely knows the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, how many have actually read the novel since their schooldays? Again this can be bought as a hardback, Kindle edition, paperback or on audio – with Hugh grant voicing the Audible version.

Click here to see A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in a range of formats

A Virgin River Christmas

The Virgin River Christmas series from Robyn Carr includes the original title as well as a couple of other festive titles. In total, there are 19 books and counting, and the stories have also spurned an American Netflix series. Novels include Bring Me Home for Christmas and My Kind of Christmas, plus a novella called Under the Christmas Tree.

Click here to view the selection of A Virgin River Christmas books

Letters from Father Christmas

This one for adults or older kids comes from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit author J R R Tolkien. It contains a series of letters, each telling a festive story penned by Tolkien. These were sent annually ‘from the North Pole’ to his own children, and are also illustrated by the writer himself. The covetable hardcover version contains lots of photos of the original letters.

Click here to see J R R Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas

A Christmas cookbook

Foodies all over Australia – and indeed the world – would love to recieve Christmas cookbooks to inspire their festive food prep. Or let’s be honest – sometimes just to drool over. There are so many choices, from Women’s Weekly as well as top chefs like Jamie Oliver or Donna Hay. Fans of the series may also like the Downton Abbey Christmas Cookbook.

Click here to see a selection of Christmas cookbooks at QBD

Click here to view Amazon’s range of Christmas cookbooks

The Gifts Australia selection

Gifts Australia is a great site to browse when you’re looking for something a little bit different. With over 300 books in stock, they offer all sorts – from a beautifully presented edition of Heidi or Anne of Green Gables or a Nutella cookbook to Lonely Planet’s Global Beer Tour book or The Beautiful Poetry of Donald Trump (strictly unauthorised). If someone you know is tricky to buy for, you’re bound to – er – come up trumps on the Gifts Australia website.

Click here to see the Gifts Australia books range

Best sellers and latest releases at QBD

QBD Books is also a helpful site for anyone who doesn’t know where to start. Begin at the homepage (which you can access directly via the link below) and all the latest book releases and current best sellers are listed right there. Whether you want actress-turned-writer Judy Nunn’s latest novel or Ant Middleton’s latest inspirational title, you’ll find it easily at QBD.

Click here to view QBD’s latest releases and best sellers

Christmas around the world

A Christmas colouring book

And finally – whether you’re buying for kids or grown ups, there’s a great selection of Christmas colouring books out there. Ideal for anyone searching for the best Christmas books for toddlers – or indeed grandparents.

Young children’s Christmas books for colouring in include a giant bumper edition, or an advent calendar countdown Christmas activity book.

For adults, there are many types to choose from, such as Christian colouring book Joy to the World, Christmas Patterns or Johanna’s Christmas. Older kids should enjoy these as much as any grown-up.

Click here to see a range of kids’ and adults’ Christmas coloring books

Which Christmas books will you give this year?

Whether you want to find personalised Christmas books for kids or wanted to discover the perfect Christmas story book for a grown-up fan of classic literature, we hope this list has helped you out. Let us know in the comments section below if you have any additional suggestions!

If you liked this, why not read our guides to all the best kids’ games to play at Christmas or the ultimate list of festive family movies?

Join our Facebook group to jumpstart your Christmas planning all year long!

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Tracy Jackson

Tracy grew up in and is resident in the UK, and is a mum of one, blogger and professional content writer. She now works freelance to fit in parenting, work, travel and cycling, and enjoys writing about a variety of topics to keep things fresh. Tracy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology so you can see her contributions to our Fun Facts About Science here. Tracy currently lives on the south coast of England but has resided all over the UK, and spent a year living in Australia. In fact she would definitely describe herself as an Australophile, due to her love for all things Australian!

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