E.T.A. Hoffmann's Nutcracker, narrated by Derek Jacobi; with excerpts from Tchaikovsky's ballet, arranged for brass septet and performed by Septura (= seven members of the brass sections of Britain's leading orchestras):

One of my Christmas gifts for my mom this year: it got here just in time and since she opened the package not realizing it was addressed to me, we already listened to it this morning.  Christmas couldn't have gotten off to a more charming start!

Excerpts from all parts of the recording (both narration and music) here: https://naxos.lnk.to/8574157ID

Book themes for Festivus: Read anything comedic; a parody, satire, etc. Books with hilariously dysfunctional families (must be funny dysfunctional, not tragic dysfunctional). Anything that makes you laugh (or hope it does).

On Christmas, can there possibly a better choice?