Merry Everything, Happy Always: Books and Toys for the Winter Holidays

Hanukkah Fun

With Hanukkah starting relatively late this month, that gives all of us a little bit of extra time to get organized, get ready, get the story straight, get the dreidel-spinning skills in shape ... and get excited! Here are some of our favorite Hanukkah books and toys -- enjoy!

Chanukah Set by KidKraft

This darling little wooden play set lets the little ones (and their dollies, animals and imaginary friends) get in on the candle lighting,without any matches in reach. Your preschooler can play along with the family, and if she decides to make up her own order to light hers,Grandma won't gasp! In addition to the wooden menorah and candles, the set also comes with pretend gold coins and a frying pan with two latkes (far less tasty than Grandma's, sadly). A full festival in a handy storage sack -- what a miracle indeed!

Hanukkah: A Counting Book in English - Hebrew - Yiddish

The black background of this book makes the glow of the rainbow-hued candles especially engaging for readers. What is especially clever about this book, though, is that it engages so many different readers,at so many different levels. It can be a simple counting book that goes through the eight nights of Hanukkah, even using some cut-outs for the curious little hands of the youngest set. Or it can be a multilingual primer with languages, alphabets and transliterations all lined up for comparison, for an even more curious mind. Oh, and it also manages to fold in the entire story of the holiday along the way. Amazing!

I Have a Little Dreidel

Even when the dreidel song is stuck in our head for far more than the eight days we were promised, we still love this happy little book. The lovely, vivid illustrations have our little ones reaching for it again and again. The sweetness of the way the simple tune skips through the entire recounting of a family's holiday celebration charms us. And you'll find the tune endlessly adaptable to making up funny stanzas of your family's own - and yes, that means you will still be humming the song long after the last night of Hanukkah. If only the chocolate coins lasted that long....

Christmastime Favorites

There's nothing quite like Christmas for young children. It's thrilling yet mysterious, full of beautiful rituals and wild excess - treats, toys, relatives, dressing up, parties, up past bedtime - and children are at the center of it all. Yes, it's joyous and yes, it's often overwhelming. So how can we help them make sense of it all? Tell stories, we say. And there is no shortage of absolutely lovely and classic ones. Preschoolers love the Nativity story, and of course Santa stories, and many more. So pick a few favorites (here are ours!) and tell or read them over and over. When the wrapping paper has been torn up and the toys have taken their place on the toy shelf, Christmas stories are what they'll remember best.

The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia M. Scarry

If you had this book when you were young, you know why we adore it: it's unforgettable. Little ones love Christmastime because it is a feast for the senses - the lights, the decorations, the music, and yes, the sweet smells. This story captures the delicious childhood anticipation of Christmas like no other. Little Bear knows that Christmas is coming - he smells the apple pie, the piney tree, hot chocolate, minty candy canes, and more. Little readers share his excitement through scratch-and-sniff scents. This book will become bound up in your little one's memories of Christmas and reminds us, amidst all the hubbub, of the kinds of things young children truly cherish about the season.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore and Gyo Fujikawa

Most of us have a preferred version of The Night Before Christmas. All we can do is humbly tell you about our own favorite, the loveliest we've ever seen! The pictures are sweet and old-fashioned, yet fresh and lively too. Children were never so snuggly as they are in Gyo Fujikawa's illustrations, sugar plums never so dreamy, and St. Nick was never even nearly as twinkly. But whatever edition of this classic poem you choose, do be sure to read it, and read it often to your preschoolers this month - they will just love it!

The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet by Deborah Hautzig

This enduring Christmas fairy tale comes in many editions for young and old. For preschoolers, we like this sweet and simple version. The story retains its magic and drama, but is easy for younger readers to follow. Any little would-be ballerinas in your midst will be especially fascinated, but this story adds to the enchantment of Christmas for all. Wait for your little ones to start wondering whether their Christmas tree will grow in the middle of the night!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

Have you had any grinchy moments yet, this holiday season? Those days when you'd like nothing better than to toss all the cards, presents, wrapping paper, groceries, trees and decorations over a cliff? It's okay - you're not the only one! And unlike Mr. Grinch, you've got your very own Cindy-Lou Who to look up at you with darling, soulful eyes and remind you that whether or not the preparations go smoothly, Christmas will be wonderful so long as you can snuggle together and read this amazing classic, and sing a few carols too!

Beachwood Nativity Set by Haba Toys

If you are introducing the story of the Nativity to your preschoolers, there's no better way to bring it to life for them than to give them their own creche to set up and play with. Haba is a trusted toy-maker of the highest quality, and we love the design of this set. It's sturdy and child-friendly, yet these wooden pieces are lovely enough to do justice to the tale they tell. Long after your children have grown out of playing with them, you and they will still enjoy seeing these angels, shepherds, wise men and holy family set up beside your tree.