20 Great Texts to Teach at Christmas (or during Winter)
Christmas in the classroom can be a tricky season to plan for. Students are ready to switch off, schedules are full of events, and you still want lessons to feel meaningful. The best Christmas texts strike a balance: festive enough to feel seasonal, but rich enough to stand up to discussion and analysis.
From classic literature to contemporary podcasts, here are 20 texts you can bring into your December teaching. These novels, short stories, poems, plays, films, and episodes all offer something students can engage with intellectually, emotionally, or both.
Each entry includes classroom ideas, suggested age range, and a reason to bring it into the classroom.
1. A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
A timeless tale of transformation and redemption. When Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, he’s forced to confront his mistakes and rethink his life. Students explore deep themes like regret, generosity, social injustice, and personal change — all within a tight, allegorical structure.
Why teach it: Dickens’s blend of character-driven narrative and social commentary gives students rich material for literary analysis. The ghostly frame offers a great way to explore symbolism and tone, and Scrooge's arc is a clear example of dynamic character development.
Classroom use: Ideal for close reading, theme tracking, and historical context work. Great links to persuasive writing (changing hearts and minds), narrative writing (from a ghost’s perspective), and even debate (Is Scrooge truly redeemed?).
Bonus: If you’re using this in your classroom, check out my full A Christmas Carol teaching bundle, packed with differentiated activities, analysis prompts, writing tasks, and assessment-ready resources. Want to go deeper into Scrooge’s story and why it still resonates today? Check out our popular blog post: The Real Point of A Christmas Carol (And Why We’re Still Missing It) — a reflective dive into Dickens’ original intentions, cultural context, and why the message still matters in the classroom and beyond.
2. The Gift of the Magi – O. Henry
A perfect short story for December. Della and Jim each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy the other a meaningful Christmas gift — only to discover the irony of their well-intentioned efforts. The twist ending is iconic, but the real heart of the story lies in its quiet portrayal of selfless love.
Why teach it: This is a masterclass in situational irony and character motivation. Students can explore tone, theme, and narrative structure — all within a brief, accessible text that still prompts deep reflection.
Classroom use: Use this story to teach irony, but also to spark rich discussion about what it means to give. Try paired activities like writing modern versions, exploring alternative endings, or debating whether the couple made the right choices.
Bonus: Our full Gift of the Magi resource bundle includes guided annotations, creative writing tasks, and ready-to-use lesson slides that bring O. Henry’s work to life.
3. The Little Match Girl – Hans Christian Andersen
This haunting winter tale follows a young girl on New Year’s Eve as she lights matches for warmth and escapes into comforting visions. Its ending is tragic — but also redemptive. Set in a cold, indifferent world, the story asks us to reflect on compassion, poverty, and hope.
Why teach it: Though simple in structure, this story is rich in imagery and symbolism. Students can examine contrasting settings (harsh reality vs. warm visions), discuss authorial tone, and explore themes of neglect, kindness, and imagination.
Classroom use: Use this text to build analytical skills around symbolism and foreshadowing. It also pairs beautifully with visual literacy: compare illustrated versions or create matchbox dioramas based on her visions.
Bonus: We're building a growing bundle of resources for The Little Match Girl, with analysis activities, theme tracking charts, creative writing prompts, and comparison lessons for film and literary versions.
4. Fish Cheeks – Amy Tan
A Christmas Eve dinner becomes a powerful turning point for a teenage girl navigating cultural identity and self-consciousness. In this short memoir, Tan recalls her embarrassment when her Chinese-American family hosts a traditional meal for her white crush’s family — only to receive a surprising message of acceptance and pride from her mother.
Why teach it:Tan captures universal teenage discomfort while addressing larger themes of heritage, identity, and assimilation. The narrative is short, emotionally resonant, and packed with vivid detail, making it an excellent model for memoir and narrative voice. It also offers a valuable multicultural lens on the holidays — perfect for inclusive classroom discussions.
Classroom use: Use this text to explore tone, diction, and personal perspective. Have students identify moments of internal conflict and turning points in the narrative. It pairs well with writing extensions on family traditions or identity-based reflections, and works as a springboard into student memoir writing.
5. Christmas Is a Sad Season for the Poor – John Cheever
On Christmas Day, an elevator operator in a wealthy New York apartment building laments his loneliness — and is unexpectedly showered with gifts by the tenants. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the holiday spirit may be more complicated than simple generosity.
Why teach it: Cheever’s story invites complex discussion around charity, dignity, and performance. The tone shifts from humorous to unsettling, leaving readers questioning the nature of generosity and the sincerity of seasonal kindness. It's ideal for students ready to engage with irony, ambiguous endings, and social critique.
Classroom use: Analyse the narrator’s voice and tone to track how sympathy is built and challenged. Ask students to debate whether the story is hopeful or cynical — and why. This also works well as a contrast piece alongside more sentimental holiday stories, encouraging critical comparison.
6. A Christmas Memory – Truman Capote
In this autobiographical story, a young boy and his elderly cousin prepare for Christmas in Depression-era Alabama. From baking fruitcakes to cutting down a tree, their holiday rituals reveal the deep bond between two outsiders — and the quiet beauty of generosity.
Why teach it: Capote’s lyrical style makes this an excellent mentor text for descriptive and narrative writing. It captures nostalgia, friendship, and quiet resilience — all through the lens of a Christmas memory that becomes a lasting emotional touchstone.
Classroom use: Use for figurative language analysis, especially similes and sensory detail. Invite students to write their own memory-based narrative. Also works well for exploring tone and setting, particularly around change and loss.
7. A Kidnapped Santa Claus – L. Frank Baum
Santa Claus is captured by evil Daemons (of Selfishness, Envy, Hatred, and others) who want to end his positive influence on children. But thanks to magical helpers, he escapes — and Christmas is saved.
Why teach it: This whimsical story offers an accessible introduction to allegory. Students can unpack the symbolic meanings behind each daemon and consider what threats to kindness and generosity might look like today.
Classroom use: Great for plot mapping and character analysis. Have students create modern daemons or rewrite the story with updated conflicts (e.g., technology, materialism, apathy). Pairs well with The Grinch for redemption-focused discussions.
8. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Barbara Robinson
When the notoriously wild Herdman siblings take over the church nativity play, chaos — and unexpected compassion — follow. The community expects disaster, but instead experiences something genuine.
Why teach it: Funny and full of heart, this story opens doors to conversations about empathy, judgement, and transformation. The Herdmans challenge assumptions, and students are often surprised by how moving the story becomes.
Classroom use: Perfect for character studies, journal entries, and classroom read-alouds. Have students reflect on how outsiders change communities, or rewrite scenes from different characters’ perspectives.
9. Little Women (Christmas scenes) – Louisa May Alcott
The March sisters give up their Christmas breakfast to help a poor family, then receive a surprise feast in return. These early chapters set the tone for a novel filled with selflessness, hardship, and warmth.
Why teach it: These scenes highlight themes of generosity, gratitude, and family bonds. The historical context — a Civil War-era Christmas — offers opportunities for cross-curricular connections and discussion of past vs. present traditions.
Classroom use: Use to explore character development and values. Have students compare 1860s holiday celebrations with modern ones, or write letters between the March sisters and a contemporary teenager.
10. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C. S. Lewis
Narnia is trapped in “always winter, but never Christmas” — until the spell begins to break and Father Christmas arrives, bringing gifts that foreshadow the children’s destinies.
Why teach it: Lewis’s classic blends fantasy with spiritual allegory, making it ripe for thematic analysis. The moment Christmas returns becomes a symbol of hope, change, and resistance.
Classroom use: Discuss symbolism and setting, and analyse how winter shifts as the story progresses. Have students trace character arcs or explore literary archetypes like the hero and the guide.
11. Miracle on 34th Street (film)
A department store Santa claims to be the real thing — and winds up on trial. Through clever courtroom tactics and quiet belief, the characters — and viewers — are left reconsidering what makes something “real.”
Why teach it: This film raises thoughtful questions about belief, imagination, and what counts as truth. It’s a great conversation starter about the emotional and symbolic meaning of Christmas traditions.
Classroom use: Analyse persuasion and logic in the courtroom scenes. Pair with articles on the psychology of belief. Students can also write op-eds on whether belief in Santa is helpful or harmful.
12. It’s a Wonderful Life (film)
George Bailey sees what the world would be like without him — and discovers how much his life has truly mattered. Set on Christmas Eve, the film’s message about worth and community is as relevant now as it was in 1946.
Why teach it: A rich blend of fantasy and realism, this film explores mental health, social bonds, and the ripple effects of kindness. It’s an excellent vehicle for discussing character growth and existential questions.
Classroom use: Debrief scenes tied to despair and redemption. Use as a stimulus for narrative writing: “What if I had never existed?” Great for whole-class Socratic discussions on legacy and self-worth.
13. A Charlie Brown Christmas (TV episode)
Charlie Brown is disillusioned by the commercialism of the season — until a small tree and a heartfelt speech restore his sense of meaning.
Why teach it: Simple and sincere, this short special captures mid-century skepticism and spiritual yearning. Its minimalist animation and jazz soundtrack make it a unique media text.
Classroom use: Analyse symbolism (especially the tree), tone, and soundtrack. Use as a launchpad for writing about students’ own holiday values or traditions they want to hold onto.
14. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! – Dr. Seuss (book or film)
The Grinch steals everything from Whoville — and still fails to stop Christmas. It’s a story of transformation, with one of the most famous redemptions in literature.
Why teach it: Rhymed verse, humour, and social commentary make this an accessible yet powerful text. It’s ideal for exploring theme and moral structure in an approachable format.
Classroom use: Compare versions (book, cartoon, film). Track the Grinch’s change over time and write alternate endings or sequel scenes. Use for sound device analysis or performance-based reading.
15. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas – Clement Clarke Moore
This iconic poem introduced many elements of Santa Claus lore — from the names of the reindeer to his chimney arrival.
Why teach it: It’s rhythmic, vivid, and full of literary devices. A strong example of narrative poetry, it also connects literature to cultural traditions and holiday imagery.
Classroom use: Scan for meter (anapestic tetrameter). Invite students to create parody versions or rewrite it from a different perspective (e.g., a pet, a sibling, a skeptical child).
16. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening – Robert Frost
A traveler pauses in snowy woods, captivated by the stillness — but reminded of obligations and the road ahead.
Why teach it: This poem captures the emotional quiet of winter with layered interpretation. It’s great for teaching tone, ambiguity, and the tension between rest and duty.
Classroom use: Discuss the famous final lines and their meanings. Students can write companion poems about seasonal reflection or modern “miles to go” themes.
17. Weird Christmas Podcast: Yule Lads (podcast episode)
Meet the Yule Lads — Icelandic holiday trolls who arrive one by one during the 13 nights before Christmas, each with a mischievous habit.
Why teach it: This fun, folkloric episode introduces students to unusual cultural traditions while highlighting storytelling and humor.
Classroom use: Compare Yule Lads to Santa or Elf on the Shelf. Students can invent their own holiday folklore characters and present them in podcast or story form.
18. Hidden Brain: Gift-Giving Psychology (podcast)
Why is gift-giving so emotionally complicated? This episode blends research, anecdotes, and humor to explore generosity, awkwardness, and expectation.
Why teach it: It turns a relatable topic into a critical conversation. Students learn how behavior, emotion, and tradition intersect — just in time for holiday-season debates.
Classroom use: Use for persuasive writing topics (re-gifting: yay or nay?), reflective journaling, or class debates. Tie into nonfiction text analysis and media literacy.
19. BBC World Service: The First Kwanzaa (podcast segment)
This short, informative piece explains the origin of Kwanzaa and its seven principles, emphasizing African American history and cultural celebration.
Why teach it: It promotes inclusivity and introduces students to non-commercial, community-centered holidays. Perfect for culturally responsive teaching.
Classroom use: Compare Kwanzaa’s values to those in other December holidays. Assign group research on winter festivals around the world or have students create projects based on one Kwanzaa principle.
20. The Happiness Lab: Happier Holidays (podcast episode)
Dr. Laurie Santos explores how generosity, social connection, and intention shape our experience of the holidays — backed by psychological research.
Why teach it: It blends well-being, data, and seasonal themes. A great resource for SEL integration or cross-curricular lessons with psychology or health.
Classroom use: Have students reflect on meaningful traditions or track their own kindness experiments. Use insights to support persuasive or reflective writing about how to “do holidays better.”
