The Thing About Christmas

The Thing About Christmas

Jo Dabrowski

Briony Stewart

Little Book Press, 2025

32pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781923141407

In these days of instant gratification, bigger, better, brighter, shinier and all the other comparatives that dominate our lives, it seems that even Christmas has become a competition. Even at this time when so many families are finding that providing the basics is a challenge, there seems to be a drive to be the biggest and the bestest there ever was.

The thing is, when your Christmas isn’t like that,

It might get you thinking or feeling quite flat.

It may lead you to ask if it’s Christmas at all.

Is Christmas still Christmas if Christmas is small. 

Even though this is a winner with its beautiful, uncontrived, sensitive rhyme and stunning illustrations, IMO this could be the most important  story you share with your little people this year because of the importance of its cut-through message.  Already I’ve heard little ones say what Santa is going to bring them and for this to be overridden by another, often the child least likely to have their boast realised, as though Santa’s deliveries are some sort of contest and it’s sad that even before they start big school they have been sucked into this concept that things determine and define your worth and place amongst your peers already.

There are hundreds of reasons why a family might not choose the big hoo-ha with all the trimmings  – perhaps there has been a family tragedy, or a move to a new place, a divorce, it’s not your belief system, there are other priorities, or a simple but common scenario of the finances being stretched too thin – whatever the reason not everyone’s home will be filled with trees, decorations and “uncles and aunts who arrive in their dozens, bringing bundles of gifts and even more cousins.” And that’s OK. 

Don’t worry how people do Christmas elsewhere.

Do Christmas your way, try not to compare…

There’s no right or wrong, whatever you do.

Christmas in your home’s unique, just like you.

Not only is it an affirmation for those who feel that because their celebration is not like what they see on television or that their friends are saying then they are missing out, it’s also an eye-opener for those who tend to judge others by what they do (or don’t do). The final spread with its vignettes of all the families portrayed in the book encapsulates what Christmas is really about, and, hopefully our little ones will hear that and be reassured by it.  That giving a special friend a simple, handmade card and a hug is all that is needed rather than feeling they need Grandma to make an individual present for everyone in the class. 

If this book is not in your Christmas collection to be shared each year, then it should be.