COZY UP WITH NOSTALGIC CHRISTMAS BOOKS.

Byline: Sue Doerfler The Arizona Republic

You know you're into Christmas nostalgia if you've already watched ``It's a Wonderful Life'' (in black and white as well as the colorized version), ``Miracle on 34th Street,'' ``Holiday Inn,'' ``White Christmas'' and the 1951 version of ``A Christmas Carol.''

If you've read and reread `` 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'' - to yourself, not to your children.

If you've put up Victorian decorations, strung popcorn into garlands and made cutout snowflakes from stiff white paper.

But before you don a long wool coat, a muff and button-top boots and start strolling the neighborhood singing Christmas carols, continue your yuletide memories by cozying up with hot chocolate and several newly published Christmas nostalgia books.

If you're familiar with ``Reminisce'' magazine, you'll know the format of ``The Christmases We Used to Know'' (Reminisce Books, 162 pages; $19.99). The book is a collection of stories and photos sent in by the magazine's readers about their Christmas remembrances.

``After reading all their stories, I discovered that this book isn't about Christmas at all,'' contributing editor Clancy Strock said. ``It's about something even more miraculous - love in its purest form.''

Stories include one about an uncle who trudged eight miles each way through a Christmas Eve snowstorm to deliver a puppy to his nephew, and another about a transient named Joseph who just happened to appear in a church doorway on Christmas Eve during a children's pageant.

Phoenix resident Patsy Potthast reminisces about putting up the Christmas tree in the 1940s. There are photos of families, Christmas trees, gift-giving and a few snow scenes.

The book can be ordered from Country Store by calling [phone].

Forget commercialism. Go natural, with ``Natural Christmas,'' by Tom Pritchard and Billy Jarecki (Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 95 pages).

The authors follow the old-fashioned way of preparing ahead of time for Christmas without all the frenzy of today's way of shopping and decorating at the last minute.

``Think of Christmas as a yearlong adventure and squirrel away treasures to make the holiday chores easier to handle and more fun to do,'' the authors write.

The warmer months are great for shopping flea markets, looking for ornaments, Victorian tree stands, cigar boxes and other nostalgic items.

In the cooler months, work on more traditional holiday decorations - candles, wreaths and garlands of fresh foliage. Photos of these and of snow-covered mountains and city scenes will get you more in the mood for an old-fashioned celebration.

If you want a book that is more left brain than right (one that doesn't inspire you to make a wreath or learn how to tie bows), read ``The Battle for Christmas,'' by Stephen Nissenbaum (Knopf, 380 pages; $30).

You'll learn that commercialism and Christmas always have gone hand in hand. The book is a social and cultural history of the holiday, complete with old artwork and pictures, verses and snippets of songs. You may find that your idea of a nostalgic Christmas has been influenced by a 1990s way of looking at the past.

``Ultimate Christmas,'' by Jane Newdick (DK Publishing, 192 pages; $29.95) is a book about holiday decorations, gifts, trees and recipes. What makes it fit into the nostalgia category is that it focuses on gift-giving and gift-making, Christmas themes that have transcended the years.

The first chapter is about the history of Christmas, delving into the first tree in the White House (1856), that mistletoe was believed by the Celtic Druids to ward off evil and promote fertility, and that ancient Romans used to give gifts during the feast of Saturnalia.

There are nostalgic decorations: citrus baubles made of oranges, rose-petal-covered balls, cranberry garlands and glittery centerpieces and mantelpieces that fit into any decor.

If your home is a combination of old and new, ``Ultimate Christmas'' won't disappoint: You'll find metal trees, fancy wreaths of chile peppers, coasters and centerpieces made of silver-painted corrugated cardboard.