The holiday season is a time for connection, warmth, and creating memories that last a lifetime. While toys and gadgets come and go, the gift of a story can be opened again and again, offering new adventures with every read. A well-chosen book is more than just a present; it's an invitation to explore new worlds, spark imagination, and create quiet moments of togetherness.

As the festive season reaches its peak, now is the final opportunity to ensure these magical gifts arrive in time for Christmas. To help you wrap up your holiday shopping without the stress, we've gathered our best gift ideas and essential shipping deadlines into one final guide. Let's make this a holiday filled with wonder and stories.

The Lasting Benefits of Gifting Books

Choosing a book is an investment in a child’s happiness and development. Unlike fleeting trends, stories provide lasting value that enriches a child's life in countless ways.

• Encourage a Lifelong Love of Reading: A single, captivating story can ignite a passion for reading that benefits a child throughout their entire life. Reading enhances vocabulary, improves concentration, and strengthens analytical skills.
• Nurture Imagination and Creativity: Books are gateways to different worlds and new perspectives. They encourage children to dream, imagine possibilities beyond their own experiences, and think creatively.
• Create Lasting Memories: A beloved book often becomes a treasured keepsake. Personal inscriptions inside the cover can turn a simple gift into a family heirloom, passed down through generations.
• Provide Quality Family Time: Reading a book aloud is a wonderful activity for parents and children to share. It creates a quiet, focused space for connection and builds strong family bonds around a shared experience.

Your Final 2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

The holiday season brings a major increase in shipping volume for all carriers, which can lead to unexpected delays. Ordering by the recommended cutoff dates is the best way to ensure your gifts are under the tree on Christmas morning.

USPS Deadlines (to arrive by December 24th)

• Ground Advantage: Order by Wednesday, December 17th
• Priority Mail: Order by Thursday, December 18th
• Priority Mail Express: Order by Saturday, December 20th

UPS Deadlines (to arrive by December 24th)

• UPS® Ground & UPS Ground Saver®: Order by mid-December.
• UPS 3 Day Select®: Order by Friday, December 19th
• UPS 2nd Day Air®: Order by Monday, December 22nd
• UPS Next Day Air®: Order by Tuesday, December 23rd

Please note these dates are for shipping within the contiguous U.S. and are provided as a guide. Ordering as early as possible is always the best strategy.

Award-Winning Stories Ready to be Dropped into Their Stockings

At MamaBear Books, we create stories that are not only fun and engaging but also carry messages of kindness, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. Here are some of our award-winning titles perfect for gifting this Christmas.

For the Youngest Readers (Ages 0-2)

Feelings on the Farm
This charming board book helps babies and toddlers begin to understand their emotions through expressive animal illustrations and simple language.

• Review: “Libraries and parents seeking board books that excel in the easy understanding of emotions by the very young will find Feelings on the Farm a major attraction.” - Midwest Book Review

For Preschool Adventurers (Ages 3-5)

The Day I Had a Dinosaur
A dino-tastic adventure about inclusion and teamwork that teaches children how to make sure everyone can play together, no matter their differences.

• Review: “Highlighting the importance of patience, kindness, empathy, and never giving up, this is a well-rounded, heartwarming story...” - BookLife Reviews

The Day I Had a Bulldozer
Perfect for construction fans, this story celebrates imagination and friendship as a boy’s dream of having his own bulldozer comes true.

• Review: "A message-driven tale that will appeal most to young construction-vehicle enthusiasts. Our verdict: Get it!” - Kirkus Reviews

Detective Stan the Crayon Man
There's a mystery in Colorful County! This vibrant book teaches colors and problem-solving skills as kids help Detective Stan find a missing birthday cake.

• Review: “Colorful crayons and mystery solving unite in this kaleidoscopic debut…” - BookLife Reviews

Lucy and Her Unicorn Get a Sparkle Puppy
A "sparkle-tastic" tale about responsibility and teamwork as Lucy and her unicorn, Twinkle, learn to train a new puppy.

• Review: “A fun and sparkly picture book for girls and boys who love unicorns, puppies and anything that glitters.” - Readers' Choice Book Award Finalist

For Imaginative Kids (Ages 3-6)

The Day I Had a Fire Truck
When the firefighters take a day off, Luke and his friends step in! This adventure empowers children to help others and work together as a team.

• Review: "This is a delightful picture book that captures the excitement of fire trucks and firefighters, through the eyes of a young boy." - Readers' Choice Book Award Finalist

New Book Releases for just $12.99 when you purchase any book at $9.99

The Handy Pandas
What do you do when the sun goes missing? Four silly and lovable pandas work together to solve the mystery in this whimsical tale about perseverance.

• Review: "...Libraries and read-aloud parents seeking a story whimsical in its presentation, colorful in its illustrations, and thought-provokingly fun... will want to welcome The Handy Pandas into their collections..." - Midwest Book Review

The Day I Had a Spaceship
Blast off on an out-of-this-world adventure! This award-winning book is a perfect launchpad for learning, combining science, fun, and teamwork.

• Review: “The Day I Had a Spaceship is a delightful 'launchpad' for learning and imagination." - Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review

For Fans of Silly Scenarios (Ages 4-6)

How to Get an Alligator Out of the Bathtub
Two brothers discover a sophisticated alligator in their bathtub! This zany, award-winning story is a fun and imaginative read about an unlikely friendship.

• Review: “A fun and imaginative read, perfect for children who love silly stories and a little bit of mischief.” - Readers' Choice Book Award Finalist

Make Reading a Holiday Tradition

Giving a book is just the first step. Creating an environment that celebrates reading can turn a simple gift into a cherished holiday ritual.

• Create a Themed Reading Night: Pair a book with a fun, related activity. After reading The Day I Had a Dinosaur, have a dino-scavenger hunt. Inspired by The Day I Had a Spaceship? Make star-shaped cookies and try to spot constellations.
• Start a Book Advent Calendar: Wrap 24 books (new or old favorites) and let your child open one each night leading up to Christmas. It creates a wonderful nightly reading ritual.
• Build a Reading Fort: Use blankets, pillows, and chairs to create a cozy reading nook. Add some festive lights and hot chocolate to make it extra special.

There's still time to give the gift of magic. Browse our collection, find the perfect story for the little ones in your life, and place your order today for Free Shipping and before the holiday cut-off dates for UPS and USPS.

From all of us at MamaBear Books, we wish you a joyful, peaceful, and story-filled holiday season!