Book Club Holiday Meetings: Making December Special Without the Stress

The December Dilemma

Every year, our book club debates: do we meet in December or skip it?

The "skip it" argument: everyone's busy, schedules are impossible, who can focus on reading?

The "meet" argument: we need each other MORE during the stressful season, and skipping creates momentum loss.

Our solution: meet, but make it special and low-pressure.

Planning a Stress-Free Holiday Meeting

Lower the Reading Bar

December isn't the time for a 500-page epic. Options:

• Short book (under 200 pages)
• Reread a favorite
• Book of short stories (read a few, not all)
• Audiobook that members can listen to while gift-wrapping or traveling
• Skip the book entirely—make it a favorites share

Host Simply

Whoever hosts shouldn't exhaust themselves:

• Potluck everything
• Store-bought treats are fine
• Paper plates are acceptable
• Focus on atmosphere, not perfection

Flexible Attendance

December schedules are unpredictable. Make it clear: come if you can, no guilt if you can't.

Holiday-Themed Book Ideas

Light and Festive

• "The Christmas Guest" by Peter Swanson
• "In a Holidaze" by Christina Lauren
• "One Day in December" by Josie Silver
• "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens (short, classic, festive)

Cozy Mysteries

• "The Santa Suit" by Mary Kay Andrews
• "Hercule Poirot's Christmas" by Agatha Christie
• "Rest You Merry" by Charlotte MacLeod

Winter-Themed (Not Holiday-Specific)

• "Winter Solstice" by Elin Hilderbrand
• "The Bear and the Nightingale" by Katherine Arden
• "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel (winter apocalypse)

Non-Christmas Options

Be mindful that not everyone celebrates Christmas:

• "The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming" by Lemony Snicket (Hanukkah, funny)
• Books set in winter without holiday focus
• Any book your club wants to read—not everything needs a theme

Meeting Activities Beyond Discussion

Annual Favorites Share

Skip the common book. Instead, everyone shares:

• Best book they read this year
• Book they're most anticipating next year
• Book they want the club to read

This generates future reading lists and celebrates individual journeys.

Book Swap

Everyone brings a wrapped book they've loved. Draw numbers, unwrap and swap white-elephant style. Fun, interactive, and everyone goes home with a new read.

Reading Resolutions

Set individual or group goals for the coming year:

• Number of books
• Genres to try
• Authors to explore
• Reading challenges to attempt

Gratitude Circle

Book clubs are about relationships. A brief moment where everyone shares something they appreciate about the group can be meaningful.

The Gift Exchange Question

If your club does member gifts:

Keep It Simple

• Set a low dollar limit ($15-20)
• Do a book swap instead of buying
• Secret Santa rather than buying for everyone

Make It Book-Related

• Books (with a wishlist system to avoid duplicates)
• Book accessories (bookmarks, lights, etc.)
• Bookstore gift cards

Skip It Entirely

The pressure of holiday gift-buying extends everywhere. It's okay if book club is a gift-free zone.

Food and Drinks

Easy Festive Options

• Mulled wine or cider (can prep ahead)
• Cookies (store-bought welcome)
• Cheese board (always works)
• Hot chocolate bar (milk, cocoa, toppings)

Potluck Themes

• Everyone brings something from a cookbook they love
• Regional holiday foods from different backgrounds
• Each person brings their favorite comfort food

Keep It Low-Key

Food shouldn't be the focus. Simple abundance beats elaborate stress.

Scheduling Tips

Pick the Date Early

Lock in December dates by October. Before calendars fill completely.

Consider Non-Traditional Times

• Early December (before the chaos)
• Post-Christmas (catch-up energy)
• Weekend brunch instead of evening
• New Year's reflection meeting (first week of January)

Virtual Option

If in-person is impossible, Zoom lets everyone join wherever they are—even if they're visiting family across the country.

What Works for Us

Our December approach:

• Meet second week of December (before peak chaos)
• Light or no required reading
• Everyone shares their year in books
• Potluck comfort food
• Book exchange
• No pressure, all welcome

It's become one of our favorite meetings of the year—a celebration of the reading community we've built.

The Real Gift

Here's the thing: in December, what people need isn't another perfect event. They need connection. Friendship. A break from the commercial frenzy.

Book club can be that. A few hours with people who care about you, sharing what you've read and what you're feeling. That's the gift.

Keep it simple. Keep it warm. Keep meeting.

Celebrate your book club community with Readfeed—where readers connect year-round. Happy holidays and happy reading!