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Have yourself a Merry Little Women Christmas with this guide to celebrating the holidays like the March sisters and their mother did during the Civil War in America, including what to read, watch, eat, and do.

little women playing on tv near a christmas tree.

You probably already know that Little Women is the beloved classic book about the creative and adventurous childhood of the four different March sisters: Jo, Beth, Meg, and Amy, and their mother Marmee. The Marches come of age in Massachusetts during the Civil War, and particularly their friendship with a local boy named Laurie, while also anticipating their father’s homecoming.

It’s a very easily readable classic for kids and adults alike, and it’s one of my favorite books of all time. (Read my full review of the Little Women book.)

And since scenes of an old-fashioned New England Christmas feature prominently and memorably in Little Women, true fans will surely want to follow this guide to having a Little Women Christmas of your own, filled with the traditional warmth and simple joys author Louisa May Alcott created, inspiring generation of holiday readers.

How to Have a Merry Little Women Christmas

Read and/or Gift the Little Women Book

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.

“It’s so dreadful to be poor!” sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress.

“I don’t think it’s fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all,” added little Amy, with an injured sniff.

“We’ve got Father and Mother, and each other,” said Beth contentedly from her corner.

(Read more quotes from Little Women.)

There are so many editions of the Little Women book to read and/or gift, but this Puffin in Bloom deluxe hardcover edition of Little Women is the one I personally own and it is my absolute favorite. It features a stunning cover illustration by Anna Bond, the artist behind Rifle Paper Co. and looks perfect on a bookshelf.


If you aren’t quite in the mood to read Little Women right now for whatever reason, I also recommend that you read the following related books to have a Little Women inspired Christmas:


Watch a Little Women Movie Adaptation

[Jo] woke Meg with a “Merry Christmas,” and bade her see what was under her pillow. A green–covered book appeared, with the same picture inside, and a few words written by their mother, which made their one present very precious in their eyes. 

There’s no time like the holiday season to watch the many festive Christmas scenes of Little Women.

The most recent 2019 adaptation with Laura Dern and Emma Watson is my absolute favorite version to watch. It’s actually my favorite book-to-film adaptation ever, and I think it’s simply breathtaking from start to finish.

Get started with the below scene from the 2019 adaptation, in which the March Sisters give Christmas breakfast to the Hummel family, then discover a Christmas miracle of their own when they return home to a scrumptious feast:

I know so many people also adore (and even prefer) the 1994 adaption with Claire Danes and Wynona Rider. I love it too, especially Christian Bale as Laurie. This particular scene shows a beautiful Christmas gift of music to an ailing Beth:


Eat a Little Women Inspired Christmas Meal

overhead table shot of a traditional American Christmas dinner table with food.

And when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.

It wouldn’t be a Little Women Christmas without a feast like the surprise Christmas meal the girls surprisingly received from Mr. Laurence after charitably donating their own breakfasts to a needy family.

It’s a heart (and belly) warming idea for a Christmas theme for a party especially.

You can make Amy’s Christmas Day muffins with The Little Women Cookbook: Tempting Recipes from the March Sisters and Their Friends and Family.

The Little Women Cookbook: Novel Takes on Classic Recipes from Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy and Friends also contains several recipes for the Christmas supper from Mr. Laurence: pink ice cream, white ice cream, fine cake, and French bonbons. And it has three recipes for the Marches miracle Christmas dinner: turkey, plum pudding, and cranberry jelly.


Decorate Your Home with Festive Items

Not a very splendid show, but there was a great deal of love done up in the few little bundles, and the tall vase of red roses, white chrysanthemums, and trailing vines, which stood in the middle, gave quite an elegant air to the table.

Don’t forget to decorate your home with Little Women-inspired Christmas decor. You may consider traditional American decor like evergreen garlands, orange slice garlands, red ribbon, an evergreen candle, and faux light-up candles for your windows. Lastly, add a Little Women book ornament to your tree!


Do Something Charitable and/or Artistic

children acting out the story of the first Christmas.

The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.

On cold and snowy days like Christmas in New England, the March sisters always came up with creative ways to celebrate the holidays and relax indoors, like putting on theatrical shows.

Below are a few more things you can do at home to pass the time during your own Little Women Christmas:

Conclusion


To conclude, let’s embrace the March sisters’ legacy of love and generosity this holiday season. Create a “Little Women” inspired Christmas with handmade gifts, natural decorations, and heartfelt gatherings. Cherish simplicity and togetherness, making your celebrations rich with shared moments and love, just as the March family would have. This year, make the joyous spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas your own with the ideas shared in this post.

So, have yourself a Merry Little Women Christmas now…

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