How Authors Celebrate the Holidays: Fun Facts from Favorite Writers
It’s that magical time of year again! And while we cozy up with a book (or three) by the fire, and while you're at it, have you ever wondered what your favourite authors' Christmas traditions were like? Did they get festive or spend it writing the worlds we now love? From Dickensian feasts to Fitzgerald's holiday parties, let's dive into how some of literature's greatest voices spent Christmas—and what made their traditions unique. So, grab your hot chocolate (or mulled wine!), get comfy, and let's get to know these literary legends a little better.
1. Charles Dickens: The Master of Christmas Cheer
No Christmas post is complete without Charles Dickens, the writer who practically created the modern image of Christmas with A Christmas Carol. But what many don’t know is that Dickens adored Christmas as much as Scrooge ended up doing! Each year, Dickens hosted elaborate holiday parties for his family and friends, bringing as much festivity to his gatherings as he did to his writing. His celebrations were filled with laughter, parlor games, and—of course—acting out scenes from his own stories.
2. Louisa May Alcott: A Simple, Family-Centered Christmas
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Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, wrote one of the most iconic Christmas scenes in literature, where the March sisters share a humble but love-filled holiday together. And, fittingly, Alcott’s own Christmases were simple and family-centered, too. Growing up in a household of modest means, Alcott was used to small but meaningful celebrations. She and her sisters, just like the March girls, made handmade gifts for one another and spent time reading stories, singing, and enjoying each other’s company.
In her adult years, Alcott stayed true to these roots, often spending Christmas with family and giving gifts to those less fortunate. She even donated much of her own income to charity, embodying the spirit of giving that we see in her books. For Alcott, Christmas was a time to reflect, give back, and appreciate the people around her—values that resonate as much today as they did in her time.
3. F. Scott Fitzgerald: Partying Like It’s the Roaring Twenties
For F. Scott Fitzgerald, Christmas wasn’t just a holiday—it was another chance to throw a party. Known for his extravagant lifestyle, Fitzgerald approached Christmas with the same vivacious energy that characterized his books. While not every Christmas could rival a Gatsby-style soiree, Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, often hosted gatherings that featured endless champagne, glittering decorations, and a crowd ready to dance the night away.
In fact, Fitzgerald loved to give Zelda over-the-top gifts, and Christmas was no exception. He once gifted her a golden bracelet that reportedly cost him a sizable portion of his royalty check. Fitzgerald also enjoyed writing holiday-themed stories, sometimes for magazines as a way to keep the festivities rolling (and the bills paid!). For him, Christmas was a time to celebrate excess and indulgence, a true embodiment of the Jazz Age spirit.
4. Jane Austen: The Literary Social Butterfly
Jane Austen, the queen of social observation, loved Christmas for the chance it gave her to socialize. In her day, Christmas was less about gift-giving and more about spending time with family, friends, and the wider community. Austen enjoyed attending holiday parties, playing games, and observing the interactions around her—a habit that surely provided her with plenty of material for her novels.
She particularly loved the custom of “Twelfth Night,” the final day of Christmas celebrations, which involved lots of food, fun, and festivities. It’s said that Austen and her family would celebrate with cakes, music, and maybe even some parlor games that might have bordered on scandalous by early 19th-century standards. Her love of the holiday season is reflected in her warm, sociable characters who value family and community, proving that she may have been just as witty and engaging in person as she was on the page.
5. J.R.R. Tolkien: The Father of Fantasy and… Letters from Father Christmas
When he wasn’t creating entire worlds, Tolkien loved to make the holidays magical for his children. Every Christmas, Tolkien wrote letters to his kids “from Father Christmas,” complete with drawings and stories about the adventures of Santa and his friends in the North Pole. These letters, full of goblins, reindeer, and snowmen, were his way of sharing his love for storytelling with his family. Each letter detailed whimsical mishaps at the North Pole, like polar bears slipping on ice and knocking over presents.
These “Father Christmas Letters” were so popular with his children that Tolkien kept writing them even as they grew older, and they remain a charming testament to his love of both Christmas and fantasy. Today, you can even buy a collection of these letters, which continue to inspire families to create their own Christmas traditions.
6. Agatha Christie: Christmas Mystery Parties
As the queen of mystery, Agatha Christie couldn’t resist adding a bit of suspense to her Christmas celebrations. Christie adored hosting Christmas parties, where she would sometimes organize mystery games for her guests to play. These parties were filled with puzzles, clues, and riddles—a reflection of her own passion for creating intricate plots and surprising twists.
Christie was also known for her love of classic holiday foods, especially plum pudding and mince pies. She often spent Christmas in her beloved Greenway estate, where she would read mystery novels by the fire (yes, even mystery authors love reading mysteries!) and indulge in the festive atmosphere. Her Christmases were cozy, but always a little mysterious—just like her novels.
7. J.K. Rowling: Bringing the Wizarding World to Life at Christmas
While J.K. Rowling’s holiday traditions may not be as historic as others on this list, her contributions to Christmas in literature can’t be ignored. From magical feasts in the Great Hall to enchanted snow, she captured the magic of the season in her Harry Potter series, making it feel like Hogwarts was the ultimate place to spend Christmas.
In real life, Rowling is a Christmas enthusiast who loves decorating her home and celebrating with family. She’s also been known to spend time reflecting on the spirit of the season, donating to charities and using her influence to promote kindness and compassion. Through her writing and her own actions, Rowling reminds us of the power of love, friendship, and a bit of magic at Christmas.
8. Mark Twain: Celebrating with Good Food and Good Company
Mark Twain, the American humorist and author, wasn’t one to shy away from a good holiday meal. Known for his wit and larger-than-life personality, Twain loved to spend Christmas surrounded by friends and family, enjoying hearty feasts and lively conversation. He often used the holidays as a time to reflect on the world around him, offering his unique perspective on everything from holiday traditions to human nature.
Twain once remarked, “To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.” And divide it he did! Twain’s holiday meals were known for being just as humorous as his books, filled with laughter, banter, and perhaps a bit of his signature sarcasm. For Twain, Christmas was about good food, good company, and a healthy dose of humor.
9. Ernest Hemingway: A Quiet, Reflective Holiday
Hemingway, known for his rugged lifestyle, tended to celebrate Christmas in quieter, more reflective ways. Often spending the holiday in remote locations or on the road, he’d take the time to write, reflect, and enjoy the solitude. He preferred intimate gatherings with close friends or family, avoiding the larger parties of his literary peers.
One year, Hemingway even celebrated Christmas by embarking on a hunting trip with friends, combining his love of the outdoors with a bit of holiday cheer. His approach to Christmas was much like his writing—raw, contemplative, and often in the company of nature.
Do any of these author traditions inspire you? How do you like to celebrate the holidays, bookworm style? Share your own Christmas traditions with us in the comments—who knows, you might even find a new holiday ritual to try this year! 🎄📚