Christmas Book Advent

I started ‘Christmas Book Advent’ last season with hopes of creating a memorable family Christmas tradition that would also see books as a fun and special part of the holidays. I think I enjoyed it last year as much, if not more, than Theodora (Teddy) did!

25 books can get expensive, we started collecting the books when Theodora was born. I made a Chapters Indigo wish list online that I’d refer to anytime someone asked what to get Teddy for a birthday or holiday.

How it Works:

1. choose 24-25 Christmas/holiday books

   -I chose books according to

   Christmas activities we do in the month of December that match the stories. I set up the reading schedule to coincide with our real life holiday themed plans.

   -I also chose both classic and newer selections with an emphasis on more female lead characters and diversity.

2. wrap each in craft paper (craft is recyclable) and/or use a reusable book sleeve. Even ribbon can be reused each year.

3. starting on Dec. 1st, unwrap and read one book per day leading up to Christmas!

Okay. I’ve included a printable calendar with our reading schedule and matching activities. You can also find photos of the book covers below; I know I love seeing covers before purchasing.

Christmas Book Advent 2020

Christmas Book Advent 2020

1. Snoopy’s Christmas Surprise (send letter to Santa and last minute Christmas cards)

2. I Got the Christmas Spirit

3. Maple and Willow’s Christmas Tree

4. Merry Christmas, Little Pookie

5. The Joy of Giving-Berenstain Bears (watch Christmas Daddies fundraiser and donate)

6. The Berenstain Bear’s Christmas Tree (visit tree farm or decorate tree)

7. Mrs.Claus Takes the Reins

8. I Saw Santa in Nova Scotia

9. I Am Cindy-Lou Who or I Am Max

10. Frosty the Snowman

11. Finding Christmas

12. I Love You Through and Through at Christmas, Too!

13. The Legend of the Poinsettia (Theodora’s grandmother reads this one to her and we purchase a real poinsettia)

14. A Very Fiona Christmas

15. Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad

16. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

17. The Christmas Angel, Berenstain Bears (Christian based storybook) (donate toys to adopt a child)

18. The Christmas Crocodile

19. Merry Christmas, Mouse (Teddy does “Mouse in the House” instead of Elf on the Shelf, the mice will give her the book)

20. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (movie night)

21. The Nutcracker

22. Christmas in the Big Woods

23. A Charlie Brown Christmas (movie night)

24. The Night Before Christmas (dad read’s this one each year, we do new Christmas pjs)

    Bonus 25. M is for Manger and or The Story of Christmas (both Christian based)