And also "Jul at Bullerby", and all of the Elsa Beskow books! I've developed an appreciation for Swedish Christmas stuff over 15 years of marriage; there's a nice cosiness about so much of it (of course, the aquavit doesn't hurt, nor the glog....Scandinavians definitely know how to drink!). It's always worked out very nicely for us with the children, because we have Swedish Christmas Eve w/meatballs, ham, herring, etc., opening presents, nice late bedtime that results in a reasonably civilised arising time, then a leisurely Christmas morning at home, and the proper lunch at my parents' w/the roast beef & Yorkshire pud, etc. & yet more prezzies.

The best of all possible Christmas worlds!