Ranking the Little House Christmas stories
I’ve always felt like the Christmas stories in the Little House books epitomize why the books are so beloved by generation after generation. Perhaps because people had so little, they appreciated every little thing. The stories are simple and pure, celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. In the weeks before Christmas, I love to re-read the Little House Christmas stories. I love them all, but I definitely love some more than others.
Here is my ranking of the Little House Christmas stories. SPOILER ALERT. I summarize events in the books, so if you haven’t read, and want to be surprised, don’t read on!
No. 7. Farmer boy Christmas. When I read these books as a kid I thought Almanzo lived in a different universe from Laura. And he basically did. It takes place near an older, established town, and clearly the Wilders had way more money than the Ingalls family. Still, Almanzo was happy to get in his stocking a store-bought hat that was better than the one his nemesis owned. I always enjoy reading about the presents the Wilder kids get, and it’s hilarious that they woke their parents up in the middle of the night to get the party started.
No. 6. Christmas horses. The Ingalls first Christmas on the banks of Plum Creek finds Pa wanting to swap out the oxen for horses, which would be better suited to break the land. Ma explains to the girls the need for horses and asks if they wouldn’t mind wishing for equines. Laura isn’t too excited about horses, but wishes for them anyway because it’s what Pa wants. Christmas morning arrives and they’re happy to find candy in their stockings, and the horses in the stable. Laura and Mary had also made a button string for Carrie, and they enjoy seeing her happy face as she plays with it.
No. 5. Almanzo comes in from the cold. Toward the end of “These Happy Golden Years,” Laura is engaged to Almanzo, and he’s gone to visit his folks back east. She wonders if he’ll find a spark with a former love interest and forget her. On Christmas Eve, the family is celebrating, and Grace makes an extra popcorn ball. Pa plays the fiddle as a winter storm begins, and repeatedly sings to come in and shut the door. Unexpectedly, Almanzo walks in. He came back from his travels early. He has a present for Laura, who is shy and awkward around her love interest with her whole family watching. It’s a sweet little story, and a nice ending to the book, and series.
No. 4 – Christmas on the prairie. Mr. Edwards surprises Laura and Mary by walking to town and back, 40 miles, through a flooded creek to get presents from Santa. And then carries he them on his head across the creek. What a hero!
When I was a kid and read this story, I was amazed that Mr. Edwards walked 40 miles to town, and then back. I felt better when I learned a few years ago that it was actually only 14 miles from their house to Independence. (Even walking fast, it would have taken more than half a day to get there). The gratitude that the girls show for the simple gifts that he gave them is so sweet. They received a penny each, a tin cup, and hard candy, and they are overwhelmed by having so much. It was nice that he brought the sweet potatoes to have with their Christmas dinner too.
I gotta say though that reading the story as an adult I’m always a little annoyed that Ma and Pa didn’t think ahead to have something, anything to give to the girls for Christmas. The Christmas in the Big Woods was so bountiful. They played with cousins, received presents, and had plenty of food on the table. They left all that to live on the prairie, so you’d think the parents would have planned something for the girls. I can understand they didn’t have much money to buy presents, and there were no stores nearby even if they had money. But Ma was so resourceful I’m surprised she didn’t make them something, like take apart an old skirt and make dresses for the girls’ dolls. Or Pa could have whittled bowls and plates for their dolls. Of course, maybe the actual events were changed in order to create drama in the book.
No. 3 Christmas during the long winter. I love the story of how the Ingalls spent Christmas during the long winter. In the story, blizzards have come through pretty much nonstop for the past month or two, which has meant no trains bringing in the items they need. Shortly before Christmas they receive a letter from Rev. Alden, which says he sent a Christmas barrel to them. However, the train carrying it is stuck in the snow. They’re disappointed, but happy to receive newspapers and periodicals. Mary wants to save them to read on Christmas, and the others reluctantly agree. Ma reminds the girls that it will be a lean Christmas. Ma, Laura, and Carrie pool their money to buy Pa a new pair of suspenders. Each of them scrounges around to find or make presents for each other. There’s not much, but each of them has a present waiting on the breakfast table.
In May at the end of the book, the train finally arrives with the Christmas barrel. There are presents of clothes inside, plus a still-frozen Christmas turkey complete with cranberries. Ma decides that they’ll have Christmas dinner in a couple of days. Pa buys the groceries they’ll need and Laura helps all the next day with the preparations. Mr. and Mrs. Boast arrive, and Mrs. Boast surprises them with a ball of butter. So much food is on the table, where a few days before they were down to their last bread. It was such a perfect way to end the book.
No. 2 – Christmas in the Big Woods. I love this story. The Ingalls house is so warm and happy in this entire book, but never more so than in the Christmas story. Laura’s aunt, uncle and cousins arrive at the little house on the day before Christmas. Laura and Mary play with the cousins outside in the snow, showing us how kids entertained themselves before TV and video games (falling into the snow to make pictures was great fun!). After bed they hear an exciting story about how the cousins’ dog may have saved their aunt from a cougar attack. Pa plays them to sleep with his fiddle, and they wake up the next morning to find candy and mittens in their stockings. And for Laura, there’s the special present of Charlotte the rag doll. Ma makes pancake men for each of the kids, there’s Christmas dinner, and then the cousins, aunt, and uncle bundle up and leave. I’m thankful to Laura for sharing these charming memories with us.
No. 1 – Surprise – a Christmas tree of presents. There’s simplicity and wonder in the second Christmas tale that takes place in “On the Banks of Plum Creek.” And you gotta love the snark to Nellie Olson too.
The story begins as Ma tells the girls that they are going to town – even though it’s a weekday evening! They’ve never done that before and Laura and Mary wonder what the special occasion is. They each take baths and dress in their finest clothes then bundle up and get into the wagon. On the way there they hear the lovely sound of the chiming of the church bell. The same bell Pa helped buy – and that forced him to walk many miles in holy boots. Pa stops the wagon so they can listen. Once they arrive at the church they see their first Christmas tree, and it’s covered with wonderful presents. Laura receives the china jewel box, which you can see if you visit the museum in Mansfield, Mo. She also receives a fur cape and muff, which is even more beautiful than the one that Nellie has. You can’t help but be happy that for once Laura has something that’s better than Nellie’s.
So these are my thoughts on the Little House Christmas stories. What are your favorites?
Gina Parsons - Writer 