One of our very favorite holiday traditions is our 25 Days of Christmas Books Tradition. I wrap 25 holiday and Christmas themed books. Then, beginning on December 1st, we unwrap a book a night and read it together as a family.
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Tips for Starting Your own book advent
With December being just around the corner, I know the thought of finding 25 books can be intimidating. So here are some tips which we incorporated when we first started.
- Start off small. You don’t need to start off with 25 books. Start with a 12 days of Christmas Books tradition. Slowly build it up to 25 as you collect books.
- Borrow books from your local library.
- Shop at craft stores such as Joann’s, Hobby Lobby, and Michael’s for your books. Be sure to download the app and use their 40-60 percent off coupons on your book.
- Stock up on books after Christmas when they have all the sales.
- Add these books to your children’s Christmas list and have family buy it for them.
We have been switching books out as our kids have aged out of them, but here are the current books we use in our rotation.
1. The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry
2. Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin
3. The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry
This is a cute scratch and sniff book that my kids enjoy. Though the smell does wear off over the years. It’s still fun to imagine the smells.
4. Dream Snow by Eric Carle
Eric Carle Books are always great to have. We especially love the pictures.
5. One Small Donkey by Dandi Daley Mackall
This is the Christmas story told from the perspective of the donkey carrying Mary to Bethlehem. We love it.
6. The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell
7. Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
This Christmas story is written by the same author as Goodnight Moon. It was one of our first books and continues to be a favorite.
8. You are my Miracle by Maryann Cuismano Love
9. Itsy Bitsy Christmas by Max Lucado
I love every Max Lucado children’s book I have read. This Christmas story about two mice who hear that a King is coming to Bethlehem and then go seeking Him is a great one to read with your kids.
10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
11. Ke Ahiahi Mamua o Kalikimaka ‘Twas the Night before Christmas
We love to include cultural books in our rotation and this Hawaiian version of The Night Before Christmas is great.
12. The Twelve days of hula by Beth Greenway
This is one of my favorite of our Hula books. It’s a Hawaiian version of Twelve Days of Christmas.
13. The Nutcracker by Valeria Docampo
14. The Stable Where Jesus was Born by Rhonda Gowler Greene
This book was also one of our first books for our 25 days of Christmas books. It is a sweet story about the night of Jesus’ birth.
15. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
16. Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson
17. The Broken Ornament by Tony DiTerlizzi
18. The Most Wonderful Gift in the World by Mark Sperring
19. Dasher by Matt Taveres
This is a cute story about how Dasher came to be one of Santa’s reindeer.
20. How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton
21. Miracle on 34th Street by Susanna Leonard Hill
22. Dear Santa by Valentine Davies
23. Room for a Little One by Martin Waddel & Jason Cockcroft
24. The Night before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
25. Christmas Story in the bible Luke Chapters 1 & 2
We love to start our Christmas morning remembering the reason for the season. So we read the story of the birth of Christ as told in the book of Luke.
I hope you find a book or two that you will add to your Christmas book advent. If you have a book that you love and would like to share please do so in the comments. I’m always on the lookout for new books!
-Janice
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