Countdown to Christmas Tradition

Yes, I am going to post about Christmas! 😃I know that it isn't technically Christmas season yet and I understand that we need to enjoy and celebrate Thanksgiving first.  Got that.  And just so you know, I'm not fully ready to accept that Christmas is just around the corner either.  But one thing we must face is that if we have special holiday traditions; like matching Christmas PJs for the family, elf on the shelf, advent calendars and more, it takes a little planning and we have to sneak that planning time in somewhere, even if it means starting before Thanksgiving gets here.  Agree?  Yes!  No?  Maybe no blaring the Christmas music while you are planning, does that help?  Ha.  I love to hear how each family celebrates the beauty of the season, no matter when it starts!

What traditions do you have?  Leave a comment, would love to hear from you.

One tradition that I started with the kids years ago, was a Christmas book countdown!  My kids love books and this easily became such a fun way to celebrate the season together.  With the Christmas book countdown, different Christmas books are wrapped ahead of time.  Choose as many books, as you have days to countdown (All 24 days leading up to Christmas or 12 days, 7 days, etc) and start on your chosen date.

Each day of the countdown the kids take a turn unwrapping one book.  Once the book has been opened, sit down as a family and read the book together.  For additional fun, add some hot chocolate, marshmallows and sprinkles to the reading time. Or create a pile of blankets and pillows to curl up together, you know the kind that I'm talking about right?  Where everyone brings their own blankets and pillows from their rooms, pile them up and everyone jumps in!  Sounds cozy doesn't it!

Once we are done reading a book, we place it in a basket by the Christmas tree and the kids are welcome to pull them out and look at them or read them throughout the season.

Because I have kids in a range of ages (from 4 to 12 years old), I include some chapter books in the mix so that the older kids can read on their own as well.  When wrapping up a chapter book, I pair it with another book that we can all read together.  We typically have a wide range of books to read; fun character books to meaningful story of Christmas books, activity books and interesting flip books or touch books and board books.  We have even done the record-able books that Hallmark puts out and had the grandparents record themselves reading the book for the kids! Anything goes, really!

When Christmas is over and we are putting away our decorations, the books that have been declared favorites are kept to the side.  We bring these out at Christmas the following year and put them in our basket by the tree.  I recycle the "others" by donating them or passing them on to someone else that may be interested in the same type of activity.  Then I keep my eyes peeled throughout the year for Christmas themed books that we haven't read yet to add to the new countdown!  Super fun and meaningful for our family!

Sound like a fun tradition to add in your home?  Here are a few ideas on how to acquire books for your countdown:

*Book stores - okay this one may be obvious, but it needs to be listed.  Book stores, such as Barnes & Noble are packed with Christmas books already!
*Department stores - Stores like Target, Shopko, etc carry holiday themed books in their specialty sections.
*Specialty stores - stores like Crossroads carry Christmas themed books.
*Thrift Stores - check stores like Savers, Once Upon A Child, Kids and Kaboodle, etc have books on hand.  You may need to do a little digging but they may have some Christmas books!
*Used Book Stores - Last Stop CD Shop has a wide used book section and don't forget about the new Reach Bookstore in the Western Mall.
*The Library - yes!  You can even utilize your library card at the library to borrow Christmas books to wrap up and use for your countdown.  Just don't forget that they do have a due date for return!
*Friends/Family - why not swap with a good friend or family!
*Scholastic Book Orders - those fun book orders that the kids come home with, where purchase you make also support the classroom, is another great way to find Christmas books.  Even if they are not in the flyer, there are many books available online. If you have an order coming up, check with your teacher, they may still come in before Christmas!

*Tom Roberts Books - order or purchase a Tom Roberts Christmas book (which he has a new one this year) and support the Children's Home Society mission with the proceeds of your purchase.  A local author and a local cause.
*After Christmas Sales - it may be too late to utilize this option for this year, but keep in mind that some after Christmas sales offer their themed items at 75%, even 90% off!  This is a great way to plan for next year!
*Rummage Sales - again, this may not help you right now, however if you plan on doing the book countdown again next year be sure to keep an eye open at rummage sales during the warmer months and snag those books!

Don't forget to share your traditions with us!

Whatever traditions you have, whatever your plans are and whenever your celebration begins - enjoy the joyous and breathtaking season.  Enjoy the adventure!