Christmas and New Year book gifts for children and adults
What makes a good Christmas or New Year gift for a reader? Start with the stories they love, their preferred reading language and the kind of winter evening they enjoy. A book can be a small thoughtful present, a beautiful keepsake or a story the whole family reads together.
At Sovabooks, our Warsaw bookstore, we have selected Russian and Ukrainian editions for Christmas, New Year 2027 and the winter holidays. This guide includes children’s Christmas books, an advent book, festive novels for adults, gift editions and an electronic gift certificate.
- For children: short winter stories, familiar characters and Christmas adventures.
- For December traditions: an advent book and shared reading.
- For adults: festive fiction and attractive editions of favourite classics.
- For Secret Santa and a smaller budget: a compact book or a gift certificate.
- For a deadline: check availability, preorder waiting time and shipping.
How to choose a book as a Christmas or New Year gift
Check the reader’s favourite genre, author or wish list. For a series, find out which volume they need. For a familiar classic, compare the translation, illustrations and binding. A beautiful cover is a nice finishing touch, while a book they actually want is the best starting point.
Choose the language they enjoy reading. Our recommendations below clearly distinguish Russian and Ukrainian editions. If the gift is for a child, consider how much text they are comfortable with and whether the book will be read independently or together with an adult.
Christmas books for children in Russian and Ukrainian
Short poems, simple stories and sturdy pages can work well for younger children. A preschool reader may enjoy a familiar character preparing for Christmas. A confident reader may prefer a longer adventure. Check the description and age guidance for the exact edition.
Russian edition
Волшебная снежинка
A small Russian board book shaped like a snowflake, with New Year poems. An option for short shared reading sessions.
Ukrainian edition
Конні святкує Різдво
Connie meets Santa at a Christmas market and wonders whether he is real. This Ukrainian edition’s description recommends it from age 3.
Ukrainian edition
Різдвозавр
William asks Santa for a dinosaur, and a Christmas adventure begins. This Ukrainian edition has 384 pages, so consider the reader’s appetite for a longer story.
For Russian family reading, consider «Большая новогодняя книга», a collection of winter, New Year and Christmas poems and stories, or «Грузовик, прицеп и новогодняя ёлка», a festive adventure about two friends. «Щелкунчик и Мышиный Король» offers Hoffmann’s Christmas story in an edition with illustrations and stickers.
Browse more Russian children’s books and Ukrainian children’s books.
An advent book: a gift to prepare before December
An advent book can become a small family ritual: read a little each evening, talk about the characters and enjoy the countdown together. It makes sense to give it before December begins, leaving time for gradual reading.
«Різдвяна Мишка в зимовій країні чудес. Адвент-календар» is a Ukrainian story about a little mouse who sets out to find Santa after hearing that he cannot attend the Christmas celebration. Advent formats vary, so check the number of days, activities and included extras in the edition’s description.
You can also create a family reading countdown using a winter-story collection. Our guide to book advent calendars explains the different formats.
What book should you give a teenager?
Ask about their favourite series or wish list. The right manga or fantasy volume can be a very personal gift. Check the reading-age guidance, language and volume number before choosing.
For a reader who enjoys Asya Lavrinovich’s romantic stories in Russian, consider «Зимняя любовь» in a gift edition. This edition contains 704 pages. Another option is «Маленький принц», the MIF gift edition, with illustrations by a Vietnamese artist and Nora Gal’s Russian translation. Choose using the recipient’s interests and the edition details.
Christmas books for adults and gift editions of classics
For a parent, partner, friend or colleague, begin with their favourite reading experience. A warm Christmas novel suits someone looking for a cosy evening; a special edition may appeal to a reader who loves displaying favourite books on their shelf.
Russian edition
Рождество и красный кардинал
Fannie Flagg’s Russian-language novel about an unusual southern town, its residents and kind changes before Christmas. For readers who enjoy warm stories about people.
Russian edition
Рождественская песнь
Dickens’s story of Scrooge, three spirits and human warmth in a Russian edition. A Christmas classic to revisit in December.
Russian edition
Гордость и предубеждение. Подарочное издание
Jane Austen’s novel in Immanuel Marshak’s Russian translation. An option for a reader who wants an attractive edition of a favourite classic.
For Ukrainian Christmas classics, consider «Різдвяна пісня у прозі». For nonfiction or self-development, choose a topic the recipient has already expressed an interest in.
Book gifts under 50, 100 or 150 zł
Set a budget for the gift first, then account for shipping separately. A short children’s story can be a thoughtful smaller present. A larger budget offers more room for a gift edition or several books. Check the current product-page price before ordering.
| Budget | Ideas to check | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 zł | «Волшебная снежинка» or «Конні святкує Різдво». | Language, format and amount of text. |
| Up to 100 zł | «Різдвозавр», «Рождество и красный кардинал» or a gift classic. | The recipient’s genre and the exact edition. |
| Up to 150 zł | «Зимняя любовь» or several books within the total budget. | Availability and the combined order total. |
Examples use prices checked on 12 October 2026. Prices and availability may change before December. Shipping is not included in these budgets.
Secret Santa and gifts for readers who already have everything
A compact standalone book can work well for Secret Santa. If you know the colleague’s interests, pick an author or genre they enjoy. Otherwise, ask about a wish list or give them the choice.
The Sovabooks electronic gift certificate offers 50, 100, 150 zł and other available amounts. The code is sent by email after purchase and can be forwarded to the recipient. It can be used online and at the Sovabooks store in Warsaw.
Validity is 3 months from the purchase date. If you are preparing a December gift, account for that period when buying the certificate. Contact us if you would like a printable festive version.
Books for Christmas, St Nicholas Day, birthdays and other occasions
A Christmas story can be given ahead of the holiday so the family can enjoy it throughout December. A short children’s book can suit St Nicholas Day. For a birthday, use the recipient’s interests; a festive setting is optional.
For an anniversary or Valentine’s Day, consider romance or a favourite classic. For family evenings, a board game can accompany the book; check player numbers, age and language. A personal note explains why the story made you think of the recipient.
When to order for December and where to buy gifts in Warsaw
Check every edition’s availability before paying. In-stock books are normally dispatched within 1 working day, allowing for weekends and holidays. Preorders have a separate waiting period shown on the product page and in the cart; this is additional to transit time.
Order an advent book earlier than a gift for Christmas Day or New Year. For international orders, allow extra time for shipping and possible delays. See our country delivery pages for configured rates and conditions. Paying on a certain date does not by itself guarantee arrival for a particular holiday.
Visit Sovabooks at Żurawia 6/12, office 525a, fifth floor, Warsaw. Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-19:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00. Tell our team the reader’s age, preferred language, favourite books and budget for help choosing.
Christmas book gift questions
What book should I give a child for Christmas?
Choose a short illustrated story for a younger child or an adventure for an independent reader. Check language, reading age and amount of text.
Which Christmas book should I give an adult?
Our options include Fannie Flagg’s «Рождество и красный кардинал» in Russian and Dickens’s Christmas story in Russian or Ukrainian. A favourite genre or wish-list edition is also a good starting point.
How is an advent book different from a Christmas story?
An advent book is intended for gradual reading or activities while waiting for the holiday. Check the exact edition’s schedule and contents.
What can I give a reader if I do not know what they own?
Ask for a wish list, identify the next series volume or choose a gift certificate. Remember the certificate’s 3-month validity.
Can I buy Ukrainian Christmas books in Poland?
Yes, Sovabooks offers Ukrainian editions online and in its Warsaw store. This guide includes Connie, The Christmasaurus, Dickens and a Ukrainian advent book.
Will a preorder arrive before Christmas?
It depends on the book’s arrival and transit time. Check the waiting period in the product page and cart, and contact the store before payment if your deadline is close.
Let’s choose a book gift
Browse Russian books or Ukrainian books. For help, email kontakt@sovabooks.pl or call +48 571 503 652. Tell us the reading language, interests and budget so we can narrow the choice together.