Christmas has become a time of big budget movies and flashy television specials, but in most cases, if not all, those stories are based on some beloved books. JSOnline has gathered a list of Christmas stories that should be on everyone's reading list.

Over the years, our choices have ranged from the silly to the sublime, the classic to the contemporary. Some years, in the interest of familial détente, we've had to buy two books. But one thing has remained constant over the 23 years - the book must be an illustrated children's book.

Two of my favorites are "Olive, the Other Reindeer," and, of course, the Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol." Happy Holidays!

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