When people ask me my favorite season, like any teacher, my response is summer. I do love summer for many reasons beyond time off work. However, if you were to tweak this question and ask for my favorite time of year, the response would be Christmas. I have strict rules for myself about decorating and watching Hallmark Christmas movies prior to Thanksgiving. But as soon as Thanksgiving’s over, I’m all Christmas.

Last year, I posted my Top Ten Features of Christmas Books . This year, I thought I’d write more about why I think those books are so appealing.

Most Christmas stories have an inherantly wholesome feel. You know everyone’s Christmas wish will come true. Even if it’s a story solving a crime involving “death by candy cane”, there’s bound to be some sort of festive party and you know the crime will be solved. There’s also a very good change that a grumpy character is going to see the light and embrace the Christmas spirit.

There’s also the familiarity of traditions magnified. It’s not just a person who loves Christmas, but an entire town with Christmas fanatics. It’s not just picking out a Christmas tree, it’s going out in the woods and finding the perfect tree which you chop down yourself. It’s not just baking cut outs, it’s every cookie imaginable. If you’re lucky they also include recipes. There’s also usually traditions from different cultures that may not be familiar to you.

What do you love about Christmas books?