A Christmas Orange: Free Christmas Oranges Story Printable

Get a free copy of the Christmas Oranges Story, A Christmas Orange by Fred C. Lemon, to share with your friends, family, and neighbors this Christmas season.

The holiday season is a time to reflect, share, and remember the joy in simple gifts. With this free Christmas oranges story printable, you can introduce a timeless tale to your holiday gatherings. “A Christmas Orange,” written by Fred C. Lemon, tells the heartwarming story of a boy who learns the true spirit of Christmas through a single orange. This story captures the beauty of simplicity and the importance of gratitude, making it a perfect read for all ages.

This one-page printable makes it easy to share this touching story with friends, family, and especially children, helping everyone to pause and appreciate the small but meaningful gifts in life and the true meaning of Christmas with a rare treat (that isn’t so rare now, but can remind you of this story).

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Oranges Story Printable

First, the Christmas oranges story printable is a fantastic way to incorporate a meaningful holiday story into your celebrations. Unlike many modern gifts, this tale highlights how one small item—a single orange—can be filled with immense love and significance. It’s a wonderful reminder for kids and adults alike that the holiday season is about more than just gifts; it’s about kindness, gratitude, and joy in the little things.

Another reason to love this printable is its simplicity and accessibility. With just one sheet, you can share this story anywhere: read it by the fireplace, during a family gathering, on Christmas night, or as a bedtime story for your children. Plus, it’s free to download and print, so it’s an easy addition to your holiday traditions. You don’t need to prepare anything extra, and it’s suitable for all ages, from young children to older family members who enjoy the nostalgia of holiday storytelling.

How to Use the Christmas Oranges Story Printable

To start using the Christmas oranges story printable, simply download the one-page sheet and print it out. You can read it directly from the printed page, making it a handy addition to holiday gatherings.

To download the story, enter your email address in the download box at the end of the post. An email with a download link to the pdf file will be sent directly to your inbox. Then you can easily download and print at home or your favorite local print shop.

Some popular ways to enjoy this printable include:

• Reading Together as a Family: Gather around with family members of all ages, especially on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Reading the story aloud can create a warm, memorable moment that embodies the spirit of the season. Pass around oranges or orange slices as the story is read.
• Incorporating It into Holiday Crafts: You could also use the printable as part of a larger holiday craft. For example, children can decorate the printed page, color the borders, or add little drawings of oranges or Christmas scenes.
• Sharing with Friends and Family: Make copies to include in Christmas cards or share with friends, teachers, or neighbors. It’s a thoughtful way to spread a message of gratitude and simple joy without any additional cost.

Each use brings out the special meaning behind the story, making it an ideal addition to any holiday activity.

Creative Ideas for Using the Christmas Oranges Story Printable

The Christmas oranges story printable is versatile, and you can adapt it to fit different holiday activities. Here are some creative ideas to make the most of this story:

• Host a Storytime Gathering: Invite family and friends over for a cozy holiday storytime. Have a basket of oranges on hand, and after reading, give each person an orange as a symbol of appreciation and gratitude.
• Add to Gift Baskets: If you’re creating gift baskets, include a printed copy of “A Christmas Orange” alongside other simple items, like oranges, cinnamon sticks, or homemade treats. It’s a charming way to share the story with others.
• Create a Family Reading Tradition: Print a new copy each year and make reading “A Christmas Orange” an annual tradition. You can even decorate the page with family photos or notes from each person about what they’re grateful for that year.
• Use in the Classroom: Teachers can print this story for classroom reading. It’s a fantastic way to introduce the idea of gratitude to young children, helping them appreciate the season’s spirit in a meaningful way.
• Neighbor Gifts: Looking for a meaningful gift for friends and neighbors this season? Print out the story and pair it with a bag of oranges for a simple gift idea.

These are just a few ideas, and you may find even more ways to make this story part of your holiday traditions. It’s all about connecting over a shared message of love, family, and appreciation.

Variations for Using the Christmas Oranges Story Printable

This Christmas oranges story printable can be enjoyed in several different formats. Here are a few variations you might consider:

• Laminated Copy for Longevity: If you’d like to keep your copy from year to year, try laminating it! This will keep the page protected and allow you to enjoy it over many holiday seasons without worrying about wear and tear.
• Frame It as Holiday Décor: Place the printable in a simple frame to display on your mantel or entryway. Not only does it look festive, but it also serves as a beautiful reminder of the season’s meaning for anyone who visits. Be sure to resize it to fit in an 8×10 inch frame in your printer settings when printing.
• Create a Keepsake Booklet: Print several copies of different Christmas stories and create a little booklet for each family member. Children can decorate their own booklets and personalize them as a keepsake of their holiday experience. I have a bunch of Christmas story printables here.
• Digital Version for E-readers: If you’d rather go paperless, you can also save the printable as a digital file for your tablet or e-reader. This way, you can read it anywhere, even if you’re traveling during the holidays.

These variations allow you to personalize the story to fit your family’s style and traditions, making it a memorable addition to your celebrations each year.

A Christmas Orange

Here is the text of the story. It is a touching story for Christmas time and perfect to pair with a special orange.

By Fred C. Lemon

Story Beginning

Jake was the resident of an orphan’s home, one of ten children supported by what contributions the home could secure on a continuous struggle. There was very little to eat. It was seldom very warm in the wintertime, for fuel was expensive. But at Christmastime there always seemed to be a little more to eat, and the home seemed a little warmer, and it was time for more than the usual enjoyment; but more than that there was the orange.

At Christmas each child received an orange. It was the only time of year that such a rare item was provided, and it was coveted by each child like no other thing they ever possessed. They could save it for several days, admiring it, feeling it, loving it, and contemplating the moment when they would eat it. Truly it was the “pièce de résistance” to the Christmastide, and and the year, for many would wait until New Year’s Day or later to eat it. Oftentimes it would start to dry out before they would eat it, wanting to save it and to treasure it as long as they could.

This Christmas day Jake had offended the rules of authority of the home in some manner, and his punishment was loss of the orange privilege. After a year of waiting for the rare occasion and the most desired of all rewards, it was to be denied. Plaintiff pleading was to no avail. Although the offense was rather minor, it was an infraction of such rules that must govern in regulated society. Jake spent Christmas Day empty and alone. It even seemed the other children didn’t want to associate with a person who didn’t have an orange.

Nighttime arrived, and this was the worst of all. Jake could not sleep. There was no love in the world, there was no forgiving; and certainly it wasn’t right for a little child to suffer so much. Silently he sobbed for the future of mankind and the world perhaps because he didn’t have an orange like the other kids had.

Story Conclusion

A soft hand placed on Jake’s shoulder startled him momentarily, and an object was quickly thrust into his hands. The donor disappeared into the dark of the room, leaving Jake with what he did not immediately identify as an orange. It was not a regular run-of-the orchard orange, but one fabricated from segments of nine other oranges—nine other highly prized oranges that would of necessity be eaten this day instead of several days hence.

Jake’s heart ceased to ache, indeed warmth replaced the pain. Love will work miracles in all circumstances.

Common Questions About the Christmas Oranges Story Printable

1. Is “A Christmas Orange” story suitable for young children?

Yes, the story is simple and gentle, with a message that children can understand and appreciate. Young kids often relate to the story because it shows that even the smallest gifts can be filled with love.

2. How many copies of the printable can I make?

You’re welcome to print as many copies as you need. Feel free to share the story with family, friends, or anyone who would enjoy it. If you want to share the digital version please direct friends to this link to receive the download link in their inbox.

3. Can I use this printable in a classroom or group setting?

Absolutely! Teachers and group leaders, or church group leaders often use the Christmas oranges story printable to encourage a sense of gratitude and kindness among young students. Just print enough copies to share with the class, or read it aloud for everyone to enjoy together.

4. Can I include this story in a holiday gift?

Yes! Many people love including this printable in holiday gift baskets, cards, or even as part of a homemade gift. It adds a special touch that recipients will appreciate.

5. Why are oranges a symbol at Christmas?

They’re Said to Represent a Gift of Gold from Saint Nicholas. This was not only the origin of Santa Claus but also one reason for oranges—which represent bags of gold—in our stockings.

Download the Free Printable Christmas Story Here:

Please remember my printables are free for classroom use or personal use only. You may not sell or distribute the printable or digital file. If you wish to share the digital files, please refer friends to the link of this blog post where they can sign up to receive the free printable directly in their inbox.

Conclusion: Share the Spirit of the Season with the Christmas Oranges Story Printable

With this Christmas oranges story printable, you can bring the true meaning of Christmas into your home. This simple one-page story has the power to remind us of the joy that comes from appreciating small gifts and acts of kindness. It’s an easy way to share a heartfelt message that everyone can understand, no matter their age.

So go ahead and download your free printable today! Print it, read it, and share it with your loved ones to make this holiday season even more special. Start a new tradition that will bring warmth, gratitude, and holiday cheer to everyone around you.

Enjoy this timeless story and make it part of your holiday traditions! Merry Christmas!

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