Did You Know It Was A Book? // Bookmas Day 8

With so many festive films on our screens, many people don’t know they were first a book. Of course, we have the classics, like adaptations of A Christmas Carol. But did you know that many of your favourite Hallmark or Netflix films started as books? I didn’t! Some of these really surprised me…

Mrs Miracle

Book Synopsis: “They call her Mrs. Miracle…Widower Seth Webster is struggling. With Christmas approaching, two unruly twin boys, a chaotic home, and housekeepers quitting one after another, he needs more than just help—he needs a miracle. Enter Mrs. Merkle, the warm and wise nanny his kids call “Mrs. Miracle.” Her sassy charm and calm presence bring order to Seth’s life and even give him the courage to approach Reba, a guarded travel agent with her own painful past. With a little holiday magic and Mrs. Miracle’s gentle guidance, Seth and Reba just might find the greatest gift of all: true love.”

This one surprised me the most! I love the Mrs. Miracle films—I keep them saved on my recorder all year round. The author, Debbie Macomber, wrote four books in the series, with the first one, Mrs. Miracle, originally published in 1996. It was later adapted by Hallmark in 2009. Now that I know it’s a book, I’ll have to get myself a copy!

The Snow Sister

Book Synopsis: “Ever since her sister, Agnes, passed away, Pearl has a special tradition when it snows: she builds a snow sister. It’s her way of making Christmas feel a little less lonely. On Christmas Eve, a letter arrives with news of a long-lost relative’s will. Could this be the change her family desperately needs? Hoping for a brighter holiday, Pearl visits Mr. Noble’s grocery to request credit for Christmas pudding ingredients. Instead, she’s refused, chased, and struck by a hansom cab. Stranded by the heavy snow, Pearl must spend the night at Flintfield Manor in a haunted room. Will she make it home for Christmas?”

First published by Emma Carroll in 2015, it has been adapted into a Norwegian film for Netflix in 2024. This is on my to-watch list for the festive season. The book is aimed at readers aged 9-12, making it perfect for the whole family to enjoy, whether you read the book or watch the film.

Angela’s Christmas

Book Synopsis: “In Angela and the Baby Jesus, McCourt explores his mother’s childhood. Set in Limerick at the turn of the century, the story focuses on a Christmas when Angela was six. Concerned about the baby Jesus on the altar at St. Joseph’s Church, located near School House Lane where her family lived, Angela’s thoughts and feelings take center stage.”

Another one that’s perfect for the whole family, this was such a lovely short film. Released in 2018, I had heard rumors that it was based on a true story. I never knew it was an illustrated story. Discovering it was originally a family story, really deepens that family connection feeling for Christmas and has made me view the adaptation in a new light.

Finding Father Christmas

Book Synopsis: “In Finding Father Christmas, Miranda Carson’s search for her father leads her to London with only a few vague clues. There, she’s unexpectedly welcomed into a family that doesn’t know her but whom she’s quickly growing to love. Torn, Miranda faces a heartbreaking decision: reveal her true identity and shatter their image of her father, or keep the secret and return to San Francisco alone. This Christmas in London will change her future—and the lives of the family she can’t bear to leave—forever.”

This is a book series, written by Robin Jones Gunn. The first book was released in 2007, the second in 2008, and the third in 2016. Hallmark adapted the first book, ‘Finding Father Christmas’, along with its sequel, ‘Engaging Father Christmas’, in 2016. Later, in 2018, the third book, ‘Marrying Father Christmas’, was adapted into a film. The films have been very popular in recent years, airing on Channel 5, ITV, Christmas 24, and Great! Christmas. I’ve only watched the first movie and am now debating whether to read the books before watching the other two. What would you do?

Coming Home For Christmas

Book Synopsis: “Allie Richfield loves Christmas, so when she lands a job as House Manager for Ashford Estate, she’s thrilled—especially with the responsibility of organizing the Marley family festivities. With a big budget and a team of staff, how hard could it be? But as she meets the Marleys, things get complicated. Her boss, Robert, is cold and refuses to come home for Christmas, while his brother Kip flirts with her, and sister Sloane arrives with baggage. Determined to create lasting memories for the family, Allie might just find some Christmas magic—and a little happiness of her own.”

Another Hallmark adaptation based on a book of the same name. Released in 2013 by Jenny Hale, it isn’t the only book by the author that has been adapted by Hallmark. Not only did I miss that some of these Christmas books were turned into films, but I also never realised that production companies like Hallmark purchase the rights to many stories in an author’s catalog. It’s fair to say that if you know a movie was originally a book, the author may have more than one adaptation.

Christmas Joy

Book Synopsis: “Joy Holbrook’s all work and no play until her Aunt Ruby’s fall forces her to take a leave from her market research job to run the family farm. With the timing threatening her promotion, Joy’s stressed. Ben Andrews, the town’s handy accountant, has helped Ruby win the Christmas Home Tour for years and isn’t about to let Joy spoil their streak. When Joy misunderstands Ruby’s warning about Molly, assuming it’s the bunny, she’s shocked when a little girl named Molly arrives. Partnering with Ben, Joy begins to dream of a family. Can Christmas magic help her open her heart?”

Written by Nancy Naigle, Christmas Joy is just one of many books adapted into films. Earlier in the post, I mentioned how some production companies look at an author’s catalog, and Nancy has an extensive one. Other book-to-film adaptations include the Christmas in Evergreen series. Hallmark seems to be on the ball when it comes to bringing these amazing festive stories to the screen.

The Mistletoe Inn

Book Synopsis: “At thirty-two, Kimberly Rossetti, a finance officer at a Lexus dealership, has had her heart broken too many times to count—two failed engagements, a divorce, and now, once again, alone with no prospects. Dreading another holiday by herself, she signs up for The Mistletoe Retreat, a nine-day writing event in Burlington, VT. It’s her chance to either pursue her dream of becoming a published romance author or let it go. There, she meets Zeke, a fellow aspiring writer with a sharp wit. As their connection deepens, Kimberly discovers that their pasts are more intertwined than she expected.”

Written by Richard Paul Evans and published in 2015, this is book 2 of a three-part series. I love stories about books, bookstores, and writers. Add a cosy Christmas inn, and it’s definitely on my list. What I didn’t expect was that it could end up on my reading list. I loved the movie, and I’m actually pretty gutted I didn’t get the chance to read the book before watching it.

Christmas With The Kranks

Book Synopsis: “Imagine a year without Christmas—no crowded shops, corny office parties, fruitcakes, or unwanted gifts. That’s exactly what Luther and Nora Krank plan when they decide to skip the holiday entirely. Their house won’t have a rooftop Frosty, no Christmas Eve party, and no tree. Instead, they’ll be enjoying a Caribbean cruise on December 25. But as the couple soon discovers, skipping Christmas has unexpected consequences—and it’s far harder than they ever imagined.”

This is a film I actually knew was based on a book beforehand, but many people don’t realise that! I remember watching an interview where the filmmakers discussed their efforts to stay as true to the book as possible, making sure not to deviate too much from the original story. Although I haven’t read the book yet, if the movie was a close adaptation, I’m definitely looking forward to reading it. The way the film told the story has only heightened my interest.

And those are some festive films that were books first. Are there films where you did know it was a book first? Comment below, or find me on Facebook, Twitter / X, Instagram or Pinterest. You can also find all my other bookish content here.

As always, thanks for reading…

Hannah Marie x