Christmas story 1-2 years Reading 2 min. Available in audio story

Lily's Heartfelt Surprise

Lily, a little girl who loves Christmas, decides to make a surprise gift for her Grandma, but when her creation tears, she learns the importance of trying again with the help of her teddy bear, Mr. Bear.

Download this story in PDF

Ideal for sharing or printing this story!

Download the e-book (.epub)

Read this story on your e-reader.

An illustration depicts a cozy room decorated for Christmas, with a large sparkling tree at the center, adorned with twinkling lights and colorful ornaments. On the floor, gifts are neatly stacked, surrounded by paper snowflakes. In the foreground, a one-year-old girl with curly hair and rosy cheeks sits on the rug. She wears a lovely red dress with snowflake patterns and joyfully smiles while holding a large red paper heart she made, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Next to her, a slightly worn but smiling teddy bear appears to encourage her with a friendly expression. In the background, a middle-aged woman with graying hair, wearing a festive sweater, watches the scene tenderly, a warm smile on her face, ready to receive her granddaughter's gift. The scene radiates an atmosphere of joy and Christmas magic, with twinkling lights and festive decorations adding a touch of enchantment.

report a problem with this image

The audio version is available for free for this story:

Duration of the audio story: 01:07

Download the MP3 files

Text size:

Dyslexia-optimized reading

Designed for toddlers (2 years and under): a deliberately short, very simple and reassuring story.

Lily was a little girl, just two years old. She loved Christmas. She loved lights, songs, and all things bright. One day, Lily had an idea. "I want to make a surprise for Grandma!" she said.

Lily got a red paper. She cut and she glued. She made a big, red heart. "This is for Grandma," she giggled. But oh no! The heart was too big. It tore in half. Lily felt sad.

Then, her teddy, Mr. Bear, had an idea. "Try again, Lily!" he said with a smile. Lily smiled back. She cut two small hearts. "One for Grandma, one for me!"

At school, Lily sang, "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells!" She danced with friends. The room was full of joy.

On Christmas Day, Lily gave Grandma the heart. "Oh, thank you, Lily!" Grandma said. She hugged Lily tight.

Lily felt warm and happy. Christmas was about love, and Lily's heart was full.

Ad-free €3 per month

Would you like uninterrupted reading? Support Oh My Tales, remove all ads and enjoy other included benefits from 3€ per month.

See the plans & rates

report a problem with this story

What did you think of this story?

Give your opinion by assigning a rating to this story based on what you and/or your child thought. Thank you in advance!

The quiz: did you understand the story well?

Surprise: Something unexpected that makes you happy.
Giggle: A soft, silly laugh.
Teared: To rip or break something.
Heart: The shape used to show love and affection.
Joy: A feeling of great happiness.
Hug: To hold someone close in your arms to show love.

Create a magical and unique story for your child!

Create a personalized adventure in just a few minutes where your child becomes the hero. With our exclusive tool, it's easy, free, and fun!

Create a story

Themes related to this story:

kindness friend share joy home school family surprise love dance heart bear happy teddy bear

Download this story:

Download this story in PDF Download the e-book (.epub) Download the MP3 files

To read next in Christmas Stories for 1-2 years

A large red wool mitten (main character), expressive and joyful with black embroidered eyes and small pink cheeks, sits on a wooden chair lifting one side as if bouncing; a soft orange-and-beige plush fox (secondary) cuddles against the mitten on the chair's lap; a small blue polka-dot sock (secondary), mischievous and laughing, hangs from the chair's edge to the right; a short candle on the table (secondary) emits a warm orange flame and golden halo at the front left; the cozy Christmas living room features a decorated green tree with red baubles and gold stars, sparkling garlands, a patterned rug, a frosted window with falling snowflakes and colorful presents at the tree's base; the mitten has just landed on the chair and discovered the fox inside an opened gift, warm atmosphere, simple composition, bright contrasting colors, woolly soft textures, warm candle and garland light.

Mimi and the little fox

Reading 2 min.

Four 3-year-old children stand together by a lit pine tree in a snowy courtyard in front of a small wooden house with red shutters: Mia, brown pigtails in a red coat with large buttons, stands left near the small lit tree pointing at a branch with a delighted smile; Ana, short blonde hair and a blue scarf, crouches center petting a grey kitten curled on a large striped scarf; Ben, tousled black hair and a green pompom hat, stands right holding a small wooden sled tilted forward; Sam, chestnut hair in a mustard jacket, sits on a wool rug by the door offering a plate of shared cookies to Ana and Mia. Warm golden light spills from the windows, powdery snow and swirling flakes, a decorated tree with yellow garlands, snaking footprints, joyful expressions, calm cozy atmosphere with soft blues, warm reds, fir greens and touches of gold.

The Little Star and the Snowy Friends

Reading 2 min.

The main character is two-year-old Max, round-faced with rosy cheeks and a delighted smile, holding a shiny Christmas bauble in his chubby hands; his mother, about 30, with light brown hair in a soft bun, sits nearby smiling as she places a beige plush teddy under a decorated green tree; a bright-red robin perches on the windowsill singing as large snowflakes fall outside; the warm, cozy living room has a red rug, golden-star ornaments, warm fairy lights and a stone fireplace with small orange flames, creating a gentle, luminous Christmas moment.

Max and the Magical Christmas Morning

Reading 2 min.

A 2-year-old boy with short light brown hair, fair skin and bright round eyes sits on a plush rug holding a shiny small red toy car, his expression awed and joyful; a woman (mother, ~30) with brown hair in a bun kneels to his right offering a cup of warm milk, wearing a green knitted sweater; a man (father, ~32) with light beard and dark hair stands behind the sofa to the left holding an open small gift box and watching proudly, wearing a plaid shirt; a gray-and-white tabby cat curls near the car on the rug, eyes half-closed. The living room is decorated for Christmas with a large green tree adorned with red baubles, gold garlands and warm lights, brick fireplace, frosted window with visible snow, and string lights overhead. The main scene shows the boy discovering his red car under the tree’s golden light, in a warm intimate atmosphere, low perspective at the child’s level. Visual style: stop-motion claymation with slightly rounded shapes, tangible textured surfaces, soft warm lighting, muted shadows and a Christmas palette of red, green, gold and cream.

The little red toy car

Reading 2 min.

A 2-year-old girl, joyful and amazed, with round rosy cheeks, short blonde pigtails and big bright eyes, wearing a red polka-dot dress and snow-wet slippers, holds a small brown teddy bear named Mr. Snuggles (soft, plump, with a blue bow) and looks out a frosted window at large round falling snowflakes; her smiling mother (about 30, chestnut hair in a ponytail) stands near the kitchen at right holding a porcelain tray of cookies. Cozy Christmas living room with a stone fireplace, red stockings, multicolored string lights, a cream rug, warm lighting and textures contrasting with the cold blue window; main scene: the girl hugs her bear as the mother offers a cookie.

lucy's magical christmas eve

Reading 2 min.

Four children decorate a Christmas tree in a cozy living room at night: Mia, 4, brown hair in pigtails wearing a red polka-dot dress, crouches left of the tree assembling a paper garland and smiling as she presses a paper ring; Leo, 4, short blond hair in a green striped sweater, stands front-right of the tree ringing a small golden bell and smiling at the garland; Sam, nearly 4, brown hair in blue pants, sits on a small rolling chair at right, gently pushing it with his foot and handing a roll of tape to Mia; Ava, 2, fine blond hair in a light blue sweater, sits on or just in front of their father's knees holding a small silver star and looking at the branch where she'll hang it, amazed, with bell-toed socks. The dark green tree is decorated with red and gold baubles and softly blinking multicolored lights; a coffee table nearby holds a plate with a cookie, a carrot and a glass of milk, and snow falls outside the curtained windows, creating a warm, gentle atmosphere as the children finish decorating before bed.

The Night the Tree Went Blink-Blink

Reading 3 min.

A joyful, intimate scene of a family decorating a Christmas tree: a 2-year-old girl with light brown curly hair and rosy cheeks reaches for a small red bell on a branch while her mother (about 30, long brown hair in a ponytail) holds her and guides her hand to the bell on the left; the father (about 32, short beard, red Christmas sweater) crouches to the right near a wooden toy train circling the tree base, laughing; warm living room with a large green tree decorated with red and gold baubles and twinkling lights, a cream rug, a frosted window with falling snow, and a plate of star-shaped cookies on the coffee table.

Mia and the Christmas Snow

Reading 2 min.

There are three characters: A one-year-old girl with big curious eyes and a pink wool hat, sitting on the left near the Christmas tree, smiling as she looks at the lights. A one-year-old boy with curly hair and a blue cap, sitting in the center, gently tapping a cup with his small hands. A one-year-old boy with a round face and a green cap, sitting on the right, laughing as he rolls a colorful ball. The setting is a cozy living room with a large Christmas tree decorated with twinkling lights and stars. The floor is covered with a soft carpet, and a window shows snow gently falling outside. The main scene shows the three children sitting in a circle around the glowing tree, surrounded by toys and stuffed animals. A plush fox stands near them, seemingly playing with the ball. The atmosphere is joyful and gentle, with golden lights creating a magical ambiance.

The Night the Tiny Tree Glowed

Reading 2 min. (1)

A 2-year-old girl with sparkling eyes and curly blonde hair, dressed in red pajamas with snowflake patterns, gazes out the window in wonder. A brown teddy bear named Mr. Cuddles sits beside her on the windowsill, also appearing fascinated by the view. The scene takes place in a cozy living room decorated for Christmas, with a large tree sparkling with lights and colorful ornaments. Snowflakes gently fall outside, creating a magical and festive atmosphere.

Lily's Sparkling Christmas Eve

Available in audio story Reading 2 min. (1)

A 2-year-old boy named Tom, with curly blond hair and sparkling eyes, is sitting on the floor, a big smile lighting up his face. He is holding a small teddy bear with a red scarf, hugging it tenderly. Next to him, his mother, about 30 years old, with brown hair and a gentle face, is crouched down, looking at Tom with love. She is wearing a festive red sweater. A man, about 32 years old, his father, with black hair and a light beard, is sitting behind them, adjusting a colorful electric train that circles the Christmas tree. The living room is warm and welcoming, with a large Christmas tree decorated with twinkling lights and colorful ornaments. Wrapped gifts are scattered around the tree, and a red brick fireplace adds a touch of coziness. The main scene shows Tom, beaming with joy, as he plays with his teddy bear and watches the train go by, capturing the joyful and family spirit of Christmas.

Tom's Magical Christmas Morning

Reading 2 min.

Get new stories every Sunday evening!

Receive 7 exciting and captivating stories, tailored to your child's age and tastes, every Sunday at 5 PM*. It's free and guaranteed spam-free!
*Email sent at 5 PM Central European Time (CET).

We don't like spam either. So, we will only send you stories. You can unsubscribe whenever you want.

Notification

Lily's Heartfelt Surprise

What did you think of this story?

The quiz: did you understand the story well?

Glossary: complicated words in the story

Create a magical and unique story for your child!

Themes related to this story:

Download this story:

To read next in Christmas Stories for 1-2 years

Get new stories every Sunday evening!