For those who celebrate, Christmas can be a magical time of year. The crisp scent of Douglas fir, a plate of sparkly sugar cookies, the jolly ho-ho-ho’s of the big man in red and classic stories to read and listen to again and again.

At my house, the best part of the season is lugging the boxes of decorations up from the basement, unwrapping each ornament, pulling out the boughs of holly and untangling every string of lights in anticipation of a house transformed with Christmas cheer. One of those such boxes includes my collection of classic Christmas tales accumulated over the years. Like revisiting an old friend, there’s comfort in the familiar, and nothing says the holidays quite like re-reading these favorites on a cold winter’s night.

To get in the holiday spirit, we’ve chosen the best audiobooks of classic Christmas stories for children and adults. So turn off your Santa trackers, grab a cup of hot cocoa, gather by the crackling fire and cozy in for some cherished stories on the Libby app for the most wonderful time of the year:

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, read by Jim Dale

"Bah Humbug!" That's how Ebeneezer Scrooge feels about Christmas—until the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future decide to show the crotchety old miser the error of his ways. Together, they travel through time, revisiting all the people who have played an important role in Scrooge's life. And as their journey concludes, Scrooge is reminded of what it means to have love in his heart, and what the true spirit of Christmas is all about.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss, read by Walter Matthau

The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville's holiday celebrations and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Since its publication in 1985, Chris Van Allsburg's holiday classic has sold millions of copies and has come to signify the essential spirit of Christmas for countless readers.

Readers young and old are sure to treasure this inspiring book, which brings to life the magic of Christmas for all who believe.

The Night before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, read by Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep lends her incredibly talented voice to Clement C. Moore's timeless poem of St. Nick's arrival on Christmas Eve. The characters come to life through the artistry of her performance, enhanced by the spirited original score. Also included is traditional Christmas music by celebrated artists Mark O'Conner, The Edwin Hawkins Singers, The Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Van Dyke Parks and Sara W. Neil.

The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers, read by Courtney Shaw

Join Marie, Fritz and the intriguing Nutcracker himself on a magical Christmas Eve adventure. Behold the frightful Mouse King, the elegant Sugar Plum fairies and the entire Land of Sweets in this dazzling holiday classic. The audiobook offers a front-row seat to the enthralling tale that's a perennial favorite of adults and children alike.

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, read by Phil Gigante

Originally published in a 1905 edition of The New York Sunday World, this is the story of a young couple at Christmas when money is tight, offering important insight into the nature of gift-giving. A well-known example of comic irony, it's been widely adapted as everything from an Off-Broadway show to television episodes.

The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen, read by Carl Prekopp

On New Year's Eve, a small, poor girl walks in the darkness and snow trying to sell her matches. Hungry and frozen, she curls up in a nook and lights her matches in search of warmth. Looking into the glow, she is transported far, far away from the hunger and the cold.

Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien, read by Derek Jacobi

Can you imagine writing to Father Christmas and actually getting a reply? Every year, the children of J.R.R. Tolkien would write to Father Christmas, and the letters they received told wonderful stories of his adventures at the North Pole. These humorous tales are brought to life by Derek Jacobi as Father Christmas, John Moffatt as Polar Bear and Christian Rodska as Ilbereth the Elf, complete with specially composed music.

A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd, read by Dick Cavett

The holiday film A Christmas Story, first released in 1983, has become a bona fide Christmas perennial, gaining in stature and fame with each succeeding year. Its affectionate, wacky and wryly realistic portrayal of an American family’s typical Christmas joys and travails in small-town Depression-era Indiana has entered our imagination and our hearts with a force equal to It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. This edition gathers together in one hilarious volume the gems of autobiographical humor that Jean Shepherd drew upon to create this enduring film.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May, read by Stephen R. Thorne

Near and dear to so many hearts, this is the original story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, written by Robert L. May in 1939. Rudolph, loveable and generous, humble and good, embodies the spirit of Christmas and reminds us of the magical possibilities that exist within us all. In the companion story, "Rudolph Shines Again," Rudolph loses his light and is certain he is of no use to Santa now; he decides to go far away, where no one knows how bright his nose used to be. But on his journey, something magical happens.

Also included in the audio is a selection of holiday songs for kids to help you ring in the season: "Jingle Bells," "Up on the Housetop," "Deck the Halls," "Over the River and through the Woods," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "O, Christmas Tree."

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, read by Linda Terheyden

The fun of a snowball fight, the joy of making snow angels, the thrill of sliding down a snowbank, the wonder of falling snow — all are experienced by young Peter during one snowy day in the city.

The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern, read by Edward Herrmann

For almost 70 years, people the world over have fallen in love with Frank Capra's classic Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life. But few of those fans know that Capra's film was based on a short story by author Philip Van Doren Stern, which came to Stern in a dream one night. Unable at first to find a publisher for his evocative tale about a man named George Pratt who ponders suicide until he receives an opportunity to see what the world would be like without him, Stern ultimately published the story in a small pamphlet and sent it out as his 1943 Christmas card. One of those 200 cards found its way into the hands of Frank Capra, who shared it with Jimmy Stewart, and the film that resulted became the holiday tradition we cherish today.

Included is an afterword by Stern's daughter, Marguerite Stern Robinson, that tells the story of how her father's Christmas card became the movie beloved by generations of people around the world.

Looking for more holiday books? Check out more of the season's popular ebooks and audiobooks below on the Libby reading app from your library.