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Fun Christmas Tradition Idea: Christmas Book Advent

Kylie

Celebrate the holiday season with this fun tradition of a Christmas Book Advent! Kids open one Christmas book for every day leading up to Christmas. Read the books together by the tree for all the holiday magic!

Its no secret, I love books. My degree is in English, but it seems that in this stage of life, I’m reading more Fancy Nancy and less James Joyce. But that’s ok, I am more than happy to pass my love of books on to my girls. And I do love the pictures in kids books.

How to Do a Christmas Book Advent

This year, I gathered up all our Christmas books, wrapped them and numbered them 1-24, one for each night until Christmas. We don’t buy 24 new Christmas books every year, we just use the same ones over again, “upgrading” the cheesy/cheap ones to more quality/hardcover books one by one as we go. I gathered up 24 books last year too, but this year I actually got them wrapped! Its all part of my plan to enjoy the holidays more this year.

My kids are loving this. My 5 year old mentions at least twice a day, “Mom, I’m just so excited to open another present and see what book we get to read tonight!” I’m fairly sure we’ll be doing this tradition for years to come. I wonder if my kids will still like it as teens? haha

I posted a list of over 30 great Christmas books, if you need some suggestions on what to add to your collection. You can see the list here.

There is one thing I’ll do differently next year, I will get wrapping paper just specifically for the books so they all match and don’t get mixed up with Christmas presents as it gets closer to Christmas. And I want to find a cuter container to hold them. This year they’re just in a clear bin. But it works. 😉

Update: One of my readers, Trisha, had an awesome suggestion: “I actually wrapped my books after Christmas was over last year so when I pulled them out this year they were ready to go. It seems like you have more time after Christmas than I do the end of November. Loved that they were already to go.”  So smart!

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CassieJ1217

Thursday 12th of December 2013

I am going to start this with my daughter next year (she is only 7 weeks old). But I saw a suggestion to have a separate small tree elsewhere (kid's room, dining room, play room, wherever) that the kids get to decorate on their own then the books are under that tree so they don't get confused with the Christmas presents. I really love your list of books. That is where I am struggling currently.

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Sunday 22nd of December 2013

That's a really good idea to put them under a separate tree! I will definitely do it that way next year. Thanks for sharing, Cassie!

Ingrid

Monday 9th of December 2013

I made some some super simple reusable book sacks. A bit more work up front, but no more wrapping ever!

Trisha

Thursday 5th of December 2013

I actually wrapped my books after Christmas was over last year so when I pulled them out this year they were ready to go. It seems like you have more time after Christmas than I do the end of November. Loved that they were already to go.

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Thursday 5th of December 2013

Trisha, that is a GREAT idea!!! I updated the post to add your comment so people won't miss it. Thank you!!

Liz Mrozowski

Wednesday 4th of December 2013

I still realllllly love this idea! I didn't get my act together enough to wrap the books this year...next year for sure! Well, for semi-sure! Haha. And I also have my degree in English. ;)

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Thursday 5th of December 2013

Maybe you could do the books for the 12 days of Christmas? I know what you mean though, the list of things we "could" do to make the holidays special is endlessly long!

For the record, you are officially my favorite reader! I'm always so happy to see your comments. :)

Liz Mrozowski

Wednesday 4th of December 2013

Also, can't wait for your list of books! I have some Christmas ones but definitely could use more ideas.

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