A Cozy Holiday Tradition for Families
There is something sacred about the way a good story and something warm from the kitchen can gather a family close. During December—when the world feels busy and bright—these simple pairings become an anchor of peace. A place to slow down, savor, and remember what truly matters.
At The Peaceful Press, this is one of our favorite rhythms of the season: curling up with a beautiful Christmas book while the scent of cinnamon, cocoa, or fresh gingerbread drifts from the kitchen. Stories and food have always gone hand-in-hand, and during the holidays, they become a magical way to connect with our children and create memories that gently shape the atmosphere of our homes.
Our Holiday Book Flood was created for exactly this purpose. Inspired by Jólabókaflóð—the Scandinavian practice of gifting books and treats during Christmastime—this guide pairs meaningful Christmas stories with simple, family-friendly recipes. It’s an invitation to slow your pace, nurture togetherness, and delight in a December full of warm voices, shared treats, and restful rhythms.
Below are a few favorite pairings from the guide, perfect for adding cozy magic to your holiday season.
🌟 The Night of Las Posadas + Arroz con Leche
Tomie dePaola’s The Night of Las Posadas tells the tender story of a New Mexico community reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter. Its themes of hospitality and belonging feel especially poignant during Advent.
Pair it with a bowl of arroz con leche, a creamy rice pudding kissed with cinnamon. It’s simple to make—especially with leftover rice—and it fills your home with the scent of warmth and welcome.
🍪 Gingerbread Baby + Gingerbread Cookies
No one brings winter wonder to life like Jan Brett. In Gingerbread Baby, the mischievous gingerbread boy leaps across the pages, delighting little listeners.
Baking gingerbread cookies turns the story into an experience. Children can decorate their gingerbread people, reenact the tale, or make up their own gingerbread adventures. It’s messy, magical, and full of the childhood joy we hope they carry with them forever.
🏰 The Nutcracker + Gingerbread Houses
Whether you choose the original fairy tale or a picture-book retelling, The Nutcracker is brimming with wonder—dancing snowflakes, dazzling toys, and the delicious imagery of the Land of Sweets.
Pair it with a gingerbread house activity for a hands-on holiday memory. You can keep it simple with graham crackers (our favorite multi-child approach in the Holiday Book Flood) or use a store-bought kit. Either way, it builds creativity, patience, and plenty of sticky-fingered laughter.
🍊 An Orange for Frankie + Olive Oil Orange Cake
Patricia Polacco’s An Orange for Frankie shares a heartfelt story of generosity and the beauty of simple gifts. The treasured Christmas orange becomes a symbol of love, sacrifice, and family devotion.
Inside the Holiday Book Flood, we make fragrant clove oranges while reading. For an extra-special treat, you can bake an olive oil orange cake—included in both our Peaceful Press Cookbook and Christmas Guide Volume 2. It’s bright, tender, and perfect for a winter’s afternoon.
🎄 The Night Before Christmas + Sugar Cookies & Cocoa
No December reading rhythm feels complete without the classic poem The Night Before Christmas. Its familiar cadence and dreamy illustrations make it a perfect Christmas Eve tradition.
Pair it with homemade sugar cookies and a pot of warm hot cocoa, and you have the makings of a calm, wonder-filled night. Little hands can decorate cookies while you read, or you can save a few for Santa before heading to bed.
Bring This Tradition Home
All of these books ,and many of the recipes, are part of our cozy Holiday Book Flood, created to help your family experience a December filled with reading, rest, and relationship.
Inspired by the gentle joy of Jólabókaflóð, this guide includes:
✨ Daily read-aloud selections
✨ Cozy, family-friendly recipes
✨ Simple activities and connection prompts
✨ A beautiful rhythm to repeat year after year
This season, may your home be filled with the warmth of stories, the sweetness of shared meals, and the kind of connection your children will remember long after the ornaments are packed away.