We all love a good holiday classic—those cozy tales that warm our hearts. But sometimes, we need a good laugh to break up the sugar-coated sweetness of the season, right? That’s where funny books come in! They’re the good remedy for when the holiday stress starts creeping in or when the endless loop of carols makes you want to shout “I want a silent night!” 🙄🎶
Imagine this: you’ve survived the chaos of gift shopping, the family drama at dinner, and now you’re finally settled in with your cup of hot cocoa. The only thing missing? A hilarious book that has you snorting with laughter (and maybe spilling that cocoa a little). Whether it’s a silly tale of a mischievous elf, a quirky Santa story, or a Christmas romance with more than its share of hilarious misunderstandings, these books bring all the laughter you never knew you needed.
So if you’re looking for some funny to balance out the heartwarming, these Christmas reads will deliver the perfect dose of humor, holiday spirit, and enough ridiculousness to keep you chuckling. Ready to turn your Christmas up a notch? Let’s read these laugh-out-loud books that’ll make you feel the season’s joy in a whole new way. 🎅🎉
10 Funny Christmas Books To Jingle Your Bells with Laughter
Christmas isn’t all cozy Hallmark vibes and sentimental moments—sometimes, it’s about laughing until you snort eggnog. From dysfunctional families to misadventures with Santa, these ten funny books deliver the kind of holiday cheer that comes with a side of belly laughs. If you’re looking for festive reads that don’t take themselves too seriously, this list is your holiday jackpot.
So, grab your Santa hat, a plate of cookies, and let’s giggle our way through these riotous reads. 🎅✨
1. “Skipping Christmas” by John Grisham
📖 Goodreads Rating: 3.59/5.
Tropes: Holiday chaos, community antics, family drama.
What happens when a couple decides to skip Christmas altogether? In this laugh-out-loud novel (the inspiration for Christmas with the Kranks), Luther and Nora Krank opt for a Caribbean cruise instead of the usual holiday madness. But their plan hits a hilarious snag when their daughter surprises them by coming home for Christmas—and expects the full holiday experience.
🎁 Why it’s funny:
Grisham’s sharp wit perfectly captures the absurdity of over-the-top holiday traditions. From neighbors pressuring the Kranks to put up decorations to the chaotic scramble to pull off a last-minute Christmas, every page feels like a holiday disaster you can’t look away from.
😂 Relatable laugh: I couldn’t stop laughing at the scene with the Frosty the Snowman decoration—if you’ve ever had competitive neighbors, you’ll feel this in your soul.
2. “The Stupidest Angel” by Christopher Moore
📖 Goodreads Rating: 3.93/5
Tropes: Dark humor, zombies, Christmas absurdity.
If you like your Christmas comedy with a side of the bizarre, this book is for you. In this irreverent tale, an angel accidentally raises the dead during a Christmas pageant, unleashing zombie chaos on a small California town.
🧟 Why it’s laugh-out-loud hilarious:
Christopher Moore’s signature blend of dark humor and ridiculous situations makes this a holiday romp like no other. Think zombie Santas, wacky townsfolk, and an angel who’s both clueless and endearing.
😂 Why I loved it: It’s unapologetically ridiculous, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to survive the holiday stress.
3. “You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas” by Augusten Burroughs
📖 Goodreads Rating: 3.74/5
Tropes: Memoir, holiday mishaps, snarky humor.
Burroughs’ collection of essays chronicles his hilariously dysfunctional Christmases, from childhood disasters to adult misadventures. Whether it’s eating an entire plastic Santa or accidentally befriending a burglar, these stories are equal parts cringe-worthy and hilarious.
🎄 Why it’s a standout:
It’s brutally honest, self-deprecating, and incredibly funny. Burroughs’ ability to find humor in even the worst holiday moments is strangely comforting—like, maybe your Christmas isn’t so bad after all?
😂 Most relatable moment: The essay about his disastrous attempt to host a picture-perfect Christmas dinner had me both cringing and cackling.
4. “Holidays on Ice” by David Sedaris
📖 Goodreads Rating: 3.96/5
Tropes: Satire, holiday cynicism, observational humor.
This classic collection of holiday essays by David Sedaris is a must-read for anyone who loves a good dose of sarcasm with their holiday cheer. From his stint as a disgruntled Macy’s elf in Santaland Diaries to a hilariously twisted family Christmas letter, Sedaris delivers sharp, laugh-out-loud commentary on the holiday season.
🎅 Why it’s timeless:
Sedaris has a way of turning mundane holiday experiences into comedy gold. His wit is razor-sharp, and his ability to find humor in even the most awkward situations is unmatched.
😂 Why it stuck with me: As someone who’s worked retail during the holidays, Santaland Diaries felt way too real. Sedaris perfectly captures the mix of exhaustion and hilarity that comes with holiday chaos.
5. “The Christmas Train” by David Baldacci
📖 Goodreads Rating: 3.84/5
Tropes: Holiday road trip, quirky characters, festive romance.
Tom Langdon, a journalist banned from flying, is forced to take a cross-country train ride home for Christmas. Along the way, he meets an eccentric cast of characters and unexpected romance. While this book is heartwarming, it’s also packed with moments of laugh-out-loud humor thanks to the wacky passengers.
🚂 Why it’s a joyride:
The quirky characters and the absurd situations Tom finds himself in make this a holiday rom-com on rails. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best holiday moments happen when things don’t go as planned.
😂 Funniest moment: There’s a scene involving a runaway Christmas tree that had me wheezing—it’s absurd but perfectly festive.
6. “Let It Snow” by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
📖 Goodreads Rating: 3.65/5
Tropes: Holiday mishaps, teen romance, interconnected stories.
This collection of three interconnected YA stories is packed with teenage awkwardness, quirky humor, and plenty of snow-induced chaos. From a stranded train to a Christmas Eve waffle house adventure, each story brings a mix of romance and hilarity.
❄️ Why it’s a feel-good read:
The characters are adorably awkward, and the humor feels fresh and real. It’s like watching a holiday rom-com, but with even more laughs.
😂 Best laugh: The competitive cheerleader snowball fight was an unexpected (and hilarious) highlight.
7. “The Hogfather” by Terry Pratchett
📖 Goodreads Rating: 4.30/5
Tropes: Satirical fantasy, holiday chaos, quirky humor.
Part of the Discworld series, this hilarious holiday tale sees Death filling in for the Hogfather (Discworld’s Santa) after he goes missing. What follows is a bizarre, laugh-out-loud adventure filled with biting satire and absurdity.
🎄 Why it’s genius:
Pratchett’s humor is unmatched. He takes everything we love (and hate) about the holidays and flips it on its head in the most entertaining way possible.
😂 Personal highlight: Watching Death try to embody Christmas cheer while handing out toys is comedy gold.
8. “The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story” by Lemony Snicket
📖 Goodreads Rating: 3.87/5
Tropes: Dark humor, holiday mashup, food with feelings.
Leave it to Lemony Snicket to create a Christmas story about a screaming latke (yes, the potato pancake). This quirky book mixes Hanukkah traditions with Christmas madness, all told with Snicket’s signature dry humor.
🕎 Why it’s unforgettable:
It’s weird, wonderful, and surprisingly educational about Hanukkah traditions. Plus, the screaming latke is an unexpectedly hilarious narrator.
😂 Best part: The latke’s existential musings on being misunderstood had me howling—it’s so absurd but so relatable.
9. “Santa Responds: He’s Had Enough… and He’s Writing Back!” by Santa Claus (and Jeff Guinn)
📖 Goodreads Rating: 3.89/5
Tropes: Satire, Santa’s POV, holiday snark.
Ever wonder what Santa would say if he wrote back to those ridiculous Christmas letters? This hilarious book imagines just that, with Santa dishing out snarky, brutally honest responses to kids and adults alike.
🎅 Why it’s laugh-out-loud funny:
It’s irreverent in the best way. Santa’s responses are packed with wit and sarcasm, making it a perfect pick for anyone who loves holiday humor with a bite.
😂 Why I loved it: Santa roasting entitled kids? Priceless.
10. “A Christmas Story” by Jean Shepherd
📖 Goodreads Rating: 4.07/5
Tropes: Nostalgic humor, childhood chaos, holiday traditions.
The inspiration for the beloved movie, this book is filled with stories from Shepherd’s childhood, including the infamous Red Ryder BB gun saga. It’s a nostalgic, laugh-out-loud look at holiday traditions and family mishaps.
🎄 Why it’s timeless:
Shepherd’s dry humor and vivid storytelling bring the chaos of Christmas to life. It’s impossible not to laugh at the relatable family dynamics and over-the-top situations.
😂 Best line: “You’ll shoot your eye out!”—an iconic moment that never gets old.
5 Hilarious Christmas Books Perfect For Reading Aloud
📖 Goodreads Rating: 4.04/5
Tropes: Unexpected hero, holiday chaos, clever rhymes.
When Santa gets bonked on the noggin and can’t deliver presents, it’s up to Murray, the grumpy owner of a deli, to save Christmas. This rhyming tale is packed with snarky humor, zany twists, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
🎁 Why it’s perfect for reading aloud:
The rhymes are sharp and witty, making it a joy to narrate. The fast-paced humor keeps kids engaged, while adults will love the subtle jokes sprinkled throughout.
😂 Best line to read aloud: “Santa called Murray a mensch and a dear / And promised to call him same time next year!”
✨ Pro tip: Practice a thick New York accent for Murray’s lines—it’s comedy gold.
📖 Goodreads Rating: 3.87/5
Tropes: Dark humor, holiday traditions, misunderstood protagonist.
Leave it to Lemony Snicket to create a screaming latke (potato pancake) as the protagonist of a Christmas story. This book hilariously explains Hanukkah traditions while the poor latke tries to avoid being eaten—and screams his way through a variety of holiday meets.
🕎 Why it’s a hit aloud:
The absurdity of a shrieking latke is funny on its own, but Snicket’s deadpan humor adds an extra layer of hilarity. Kids will laugh at the screaming, while adults will appreciate the tongue-in-cheek explanations of holiday traditions.
😂 Best tip: Channel your inner drama queen when screaming as the latke—it’s the centerpiece of the humor!
📖 Goodreads Rating: 3.82/5
Tropes: Misfit hero, holiday satire, wry humor.
Another gem from Lemony Snicket, this story follows a lump of coal who dreams of becoming an artist. His misadventures lead him to a hilariously unexpected holiday miracle, all delivered with Snicket’s signature blend of humor and absurdity.
🎄 Why it’s a read-aloud winner:
The clever wordplay and ridiculous scenarios make this a delight to read aloud. It’s short, snappy, and laugh-out-loud funny for all ages.
😂 Funniest moment: The coal trying to sell his “artistic vision” to humans—kids might not get it, but adults will lose it.
📖 Goodreads Rating: 4.46/5
Tropes: Grumpy hero, mistaken identity, animal hijinks.
Bruce the bear is back, and this time, he’s mistaken for Santa by his woodland friends. What follows is a comedy of errors as Bruce begrudgingly takes on the role of Santa Claus while dealing with his adorably clueless animal companions.
🐻 Why it’s great for read-alouds:
Bruce’s deadpan reactions and the animals’ over-the-top enthusiasm are comedy gold. The illustrations add an extra layer of humor, and the dialogue is a blast to perform with different voices.
😂 Best character to voice: Bruce’s grumpy “I’m NOT Santa” lines are the highlight. Bonus points if you can do an exasperated bear growl.
📖 Goodreads Rating: 4.35/5
Tropes: Naughty vs. nice, over-the-top antics, festive chaos.
Pig the Pug is back, and this time he’s determined to get all the presents from Santa. His hilariously greedy schemes lead to a series of laugh-out-loud disasters that end with a heartwarming twist (sort of).
🎅 Why it’s a crowd-pleaser:
Blabey’s rhyming text is perfect for performing aloud, and Pig’s antics are so ridiculous that both kids and adults will be in stitches. The exaggerated expressions in the illustrations add to the hilarity.
😂 Best line to deliver: “Pig had been naughty—he’d been greedier than greedy. He’d always ask for more… and he’d always get more needy.”
✨ Pro tip: Add dramatic pauses and over-the-top delivery to Pig’s tantrums for maximum laughs.
Final Thoughts
These books prove that the holiday season is about laughing at the chaos, quirks, and outright absurdities that come with it. Whether you’re into dark humor, satire, or nostalgic laughs, there’s something on this list for everyone.
So, which one are you picking up first? Or do you have a favorite funny holiday read that I missed? Let’s chat—I’m always here for bookish banter! 🎅📚😂
More Christmas Collections For You:
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