Amazon.com (ISBN 0152163778, Hardcover)

Screenwriter Valentine Davies's film classic has been so thoroughly enshrined in the Christmas canon that it's impossible to read this book without picturing Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood as the harried Macy's parade organizer and her precocious daughter. But what makes this gift-box edition interesting is a short note describing the book's production, which happened at a frantic pace--Davies fairly credits director David Seaton for much of the book's inspiration, and over 400,000 copies were rushed through to premiere simultaneously with the film.

Other print versions of Miracle on 34th Street might be more fun (including one illustrated by beloved kids book author Tomie de Paola), but for that '40s, old-timey appeal, this gift box can't be beat (not to mention it being a safe, easy go-to for stuffing stockings and bringing gifts to holiday parties). (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes