How to hold your own

A book to unwrap, somewhere comfortable to sit, and a little time to read. Share the evening with people you love, or keep it as a quiet night to yourself.

Here’s a simple way to plan it. Make it your own.

1. Choose your evening

   Christmas Eve, just after dinner, is a lovely place to start. If you’ll be traveling or have other plans, choose another evening when you can settle in. Give everyone a little notice so there’s time to find a book.

2. Work out who’s giving to whom

   Two people can choose a book for each other. In a bigger group, you could draw names so each person knows who they’re choosing for, and everyone gives and receives one book. Let people know the plan when you invite them.

   Agree an amount everyone feels comfortable with. A secondhand copy of a book you love makes a thoughtful gift, and you can agree to swap books from your own shelves instead of buying them.

3. Pick a book with them in mind

   Think about a story they’ve enjoyed, something they love doing, or a book you’ve wanted to share with them. A wish list is welcome too. You can tuck a note inside explaining why you chose it.

   A short story collection, a comic or a picture book can be as much a part of the evening as a long novel. There’s no need to find something they can finish in one sitting.

   Find a book to give

4. Get comfortable and open the books

   After dinner, clear a little space and unwrap the books together. Put the kettle on, bring over a blanket, and find a comfortable spot. Leave room for half an hour of reading to begin with; you can carry on if everyone wants to.

   Read quietly, read aloud, or pause to share a passage. Someone will probably get up to make another drink.

Send a little invitation

You can copy this into a message and fill in the details. Let people know who they’re choosing for before they go book shopping.

Come over for an evening of books on [date] at [time], at [place]. Bring a wrapped book for [name], around [amount] or less. Used books are welcome. We’ll open the books, put the kettle on and read for a while. I’d love to have you there.

Keeping it to yourself this year? Pick your book, choose your evening and skip the invitations.

With children

Let them help choose a book, or wrap one you can read together. Picture books, comics and familiar favorites all belong here. A few pages on someone’s lap may be the whole evening for a younger child. They can listen, ask questions or wander off for a bit; you can pick the story up again another day.

A night to yourself

Choose a book you’ve been looking forward to, borrow one from the library, or take a favorite down from your shelf. Make something nice to drink and leave a little time for reading. You can wrap the book for yourself if you like the pleasure of opening it.

For a few gift ideas, find a book to give. For the story behind the evening, read about the tradition.