All Ages
Merry & Bright: Gift Guides, Holiday Stories, and More!
by the Brightly Editors
As the holiday season approaches, it’s both a time of excitement and stress. This year has been unlike any other, and it’s hard not to let that strain seep into the joy and merriment that usually accompanies the holiday season. Though there may be less time with extended family and friends leading up to the end of the year, books provide a wonderful (and stress-reducing!) way to spend time with the kids in your life.
With their unique ability to foster closeness, invite conversation, and open up new worlds, books are a great way for families to hit the pause button and settle in for a great story — whether the little ones are still tucked on laps or stretching their independence into the tween years and beyond. And once the holidays have come and gone, the books we share, and give as gifts, bring joy all year round.
Read about why we think books make memorable gifts, and then check out our gift guides. From unique, thoughtful gift ideas for every kid and teen reader on your shopping list to festive reads that light up the season, you’ll find everything you need to celebrate this holiday.
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Memorable and Meaningful: On Giving Books Over Toys This Holiday Season
A book — when well-chosen and meaningful — is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
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Holiday Gift Guides for All Ages
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You’ll find something for even your pickiest reader in our gift guides — specially tailored to each age & stage.
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Holiday Book Gifts: Ages 0 – 2
These books are not only solid and sturdy enough to withstand the less-than-careful hands of our youngest readers, but they also expose them to important lessons about antiracism, kindness, and more.
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Holiday Book Gifts: Ages 3 – 5
This holiday season, give children a gift that ignites their imagination, makes them laugh out loud, or teaches them something new with the best present of all: a book!
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Holiday Book Gifts: Ages 6 – 8
Whether your growing reader is into books about magical creatures, outer space, quests and adventures, or celebrating the things that make each of us unique, the perfect book is out there.
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Holiday Book Gifts: Ages 9 – 12
In this gift guide, you’ll find exciting new titles, timely stories, and gift-worthy books to give your tween this holiday season — whether they love action-packed adventures, heartfelt stories, or fascinating nonfiction.
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Holiday Book Gifts: Ages 13+
Matching the perfect teen with the perfect book is easier than you think! Especially with our holiday gift guide filled with amazing YA and teen-friendly titles.
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More Gifting
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Festive audiobooks, boxed sets, stocking stuffers, and more!
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The Best Boxed Book Sets for Children and Teens
Consider sharing one of these book sets — ranging from board books and picture books to middle grade books and young adult books — with the child or teen in your life.
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Kids’ Audiobooks Perfect for Listening and Gifting This Holiday Season
Give the young readers in your life the gift of audiobooks this holiday season with some of our favorites for all ages.
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11 Heartfelt Books to Give as Kwanzaa Gifts
Like Kwanzaa itself, the books on this list celebrate values such as family and togetherness. Whether you’re looking for a book for a pre-k reader or a tween, here are some gift-worthy options.
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Stocking Stuffers for Kids and Teens
This list of stocking stuffer ideas features everything from book-related apparel and accessories that support literacy programs around the world to innovative, adorable mini books that your loved ones are sure to love.
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Holiday Reading
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From Christmas to Kwanzaa and everything in between — celebrate your own traditions (and learn about some others!) with these great books.
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Timeless Christmas Stories for Kids and Families
These Christmas books have stood the test of time and are just as popular today as when they were published.
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Delightful Children’s Books to Celebrate Hanukkah This Year
Whether it’s your first Hanukkah or your 50th, we hope these books shed a new light on your holiday.
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Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions
As the holiday season approaches, it’s important to remember there are a diverse set of holidays and traditions available to explore.
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Dasher Is a New Christmas Story with the Feel of a Classic
Through gorgeous illustrations and what can only be described as a calm, cozy tone, this book will pull readers of all ages in and delight them with a story they might not have wondered about until now.
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Festive Fun and Family Activities
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Printables, activities, and family time ideas for plenty of holiday fun!
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Printable Gift Tags for the Holidays
Print out these adorable holiday gift tags for some fun holiday crafting with your little one!
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‘Tis the Season for Holiday Printables & Activities
Get your kiddos in the holiday spirit — and keep them happily occupied — with these fun holiday printables and activities!
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How to Create Your Own Book Advent Calendar
Like the calendars that let you open a door and find a little chocolate treasure every day from December 1 through December 24, book advent calendars also serve as a countdown to Christmas.
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8 Clever Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with Books
If you’re looking for more ways to incorporate books into your holiday celebrations, here are a few fun, festive, and super adorable DIY ideas.
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5 Easy Ways to Give as a Family This Holiday Season
Jennifer Iacovelli, author of Simple Giving, shares five easy ways to keep gift-giving simple and meaningful, and give as a family this holiday season.
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Brightly Storytime
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Holiday Brightly Storytime videos to read with your little one this holiday season.
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Brightly Storytime: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
No holiday season is complete without a reading of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Follow along as Ms. Linda reads this Christmas classic.
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Brightly Storytime: Llama Llama Holiday Drama
We’re gearing up for the holidays with a special reading of Llama Llama Holiday Drama, a sweet picture book about remembering what truly matters amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.
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Brightly Storytime: The Christmas Puppy
Pour a cup of cocoa, cozy up by the tree, and have your little one read along with The Christmas Puppy.
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Brightly Storytime: There’s an Elf in Your Book
We’re gearing up for Christmas with a reading of There’s an Elf in Your Book, a hands-on picture book that’s full of holiday fun.