See Parade's Amazing and Diverse Christmas Covers Through the Years

Take a peek inside the Parade Vault of cover archives.

In years past, you never knew what to expect when it came to a December cover in Parade magazine. There was beautiful art, sometimes religious.

There were stars—from Dolly, Taylor Swift and One Direction to Jack Black, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell—and family portraits (Roy Rogers and family, the Clinton family, the Giuliani family post 9-11, the great granddaughter of Charles Dickens, the Fords making Christmas cookies). There was Bob Hope in Vietnam, the Muppets singing Christmas carols and 1,200 midshipmen from U.S. Naval Academy spelling out a holiday message while Parade shot from a Navy helicopter up above.

And there were many, many covers messages of “hope.” Hope for peace on earth, hope for the safety of far-away troops, hope for that very special present under the tree, hope for a better life.

Here’s hoping you have a wonderful holiday—whatever that means for you. —Anne Krueger

Parade's Best Christmas Covers

“Bob Hope in Vietnam” (1966)
“Bob Hope in Vietnam” (1966)

“Bob Hope in Vietnam” (1966)

“Why Dickens Wrote ‘A Christmas Carol’” (1960)
“Why Dickens Wrote ‘A Christmas Carol’” (1960)

“Why Dickens Wrote ‘A Christmas Carol’” (1960)

“Christmas Cards That Say Thanks from the World’s Children” (1970)
“Christmas Cards That Say Thanks from the World’s Children” (1970)

“Christmas Cards That Say Thanks from the World’s Children” (1970)

“The Navy Merry Xmas” (1952)
“The Navy Merry Xmas” (1952)

“The Navy Merry Xmas” (1952)

“Roy Rogers: Christmas at Our House” (1959)
“Roy Rogers: Christmas at Our House” (1959)

“Roy Rogers: Christmas at Our House” (1959)

“A Holiday Message From the White House” (1993)
“A Holiday Message From the White House” (1993)

“A Holiday Message From the White House” (1993)

“We Have Reason to Hope” (2001)
“We Have Reason to Hope” (2001)

“We Have Reason to Hope” (2001)

“Susan and Betty Ford Back Christmas Cookies” (1975)
“Susan and Betty Ford Back Christmas Cookies” (1975)

“Susan and Betty Ford Back Christmas Cookies” (1975)

“Christmas at Home” (1945)
“Christmas at Home” (1945)

“Christmas at Home” (1945)

“Christmas Window Wishing” (1945)
“Christmas Window Wishing” (1945)

“Christmas Window Wishing” (1945)

“A Holy Journey” (1949)
“A Holy Journey” (1949)

“A Holy Journey” (1949)

“Raphael’s Christ Child” (1956)
“Raphael’s Christ Child” (1956)

“Raphael’s Christ Child” (1956)

“Burl Ives Sings Christmas Carols” (1958)
“Burl Ives Sings Christmas Carols” (1958)

“Burl Ives Sings Christmas Carols” (1958)

“Flight Into Egypt” (1963)
“Flight Into Egypt” (1963)

“Flight Into Egypt” (1963)

“Peace Be in Thy Heart…” (1964)
“Peace Be in Thy Heart…” (1964)

“Peace Be in Thy Heart…” (1964)

“How Beautiful Upon the Mountains…” (1969)
“How Beautiful Upon the Mountains…” (1969)

“How Beautiful Upon the Mountains…” (1969)

“Christmas Is a Time for Reconciliation “(1973)
“Christmas Is a Time for Reconciliation “(1973)

“Christmas Is a Time for Reconciliation “(1973)

“Happy Holiday From the Muppets” (1978)
“Happy Holiday From the Muppets” (1978)

“Happy Holiday From the Muppets” (1978)

Parade Celebrity Christmas Covers

Taylor Swift (2012)
Taylor Swift (2012)

Taylor Swift (2012)

Amy Adams (2010)
Amy Adams (2010)

Amy Adams (2010)

Jennifer Anniston, Olivia Munn, Jason Bateman (2016)
Jennifer Anniston, Olivia Munn, Jason Bateman (2016)

Jennifer Anniston, Olivia Munn, Jason Bateman (2016)

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell (2018)
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell (2018)

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell (2018)

Jack Black (2017)
Jack Black (2017)

Jack Black (2017)

Dolly (2016)
Dolly (2016)

Dolly (2016)

Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg (2015)
Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg (2015)

Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg (2015)

Anna Kendrick (2019)
Anna Kendrick (2019)

Anna Kendrick (2019)

Ralphie (2012)
Ralphie (2012)

Ralphie (2012)