There are SO many different advents out there counting down the exciting days leading up to Christmas. But over the years, I have learned that I don’t want anything extra to add to my already overwhelming to-do list. Traditions, and advents are so fun! But if it’s stressing me out, then it has got to go. (Good bye forever Elf on the Shelf) haha! I needed something to slow down time. Turns out, it’s actually impossible to slow down time, so rather, I needed something to help me cherish this fleeting time I have with my children. This Christmas Book Advent is just thing I needed. That my family needed. It’s simple, and inexpensive (I’ve been collecting books for years, well before I ever became a mom) I reuse the same books each year, while adding one or a few new ones to the mix. You can also go to the library and simply wrap a few books every couple of weeks or so!
I found some free printable tags over at Simple As That blog. (CLICK HERE) They are darling! And again, making this mama’s life easier.
Each day we open a book and read it together leading up to Christmas. I LOVE this time of day! The kids excitement of opening a gift lead to calm and wonder as we sit around the tree reading the “new” book. It’s truly the best of both worlds, and indeed a cherished time spent as a family. I left a list accompanied by some links to the books we are reading this year. (At the end of this post) While I do have more Christmas books than this, and rotate them each year, I always make sure to include our very favorites every time.
Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading! <3
List of 25 of our favorite Christmas books:
Home for Christmas – Jan Brett
Snowman at Christmas – Caralyn Buehner
Toot and Puddle Let it Snow – Holly Hobbie
Gingerbread Christmas – Jan Brett
Santa Claus and the Three Bears – Maria Modugho
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas – Alice Schertle
Toot and Puddle I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Holly Hobbie
The Christmas Train – Thomas S. Monson
The Animal’s Santa – Jan Brett
The Littlest Christmas Tree – R.A. Herman
Twelve Days of Christmas – Alison Jay
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Dr. Suess
The Christmas Tale of Peter Rabbit – Emma Thompson
A Christmas Bell for Anya – Chris and Evie Stewart
A Creature Was Stirring – Carter Goodrich
The Animals Christmas Eve – Little Golden Book
A Merry Little Christmas – Mary Engelbreit
The Bakers Dozen – Aaron Shepard
Song of the Stars – Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Nutcracker – Susan Jeffers
Room for a Little One – Martin Waddel
The Night Before Christmas – Holly Hobbie
C is for Christmas – Tony Skousen Arenaz