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December is right around the corner, and it’s time to start counting down to Christmas. In the past we’ve used advent calendars, an advent wreath, and paper chains. They were all OK. Then two years ago, I came across an idea at Debt Proof Living, and we did it. It’s become our favorite Christmas tradition.
What did we do? I bought 24 Christmas books. We have a big range of books from ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
I wrapped them all up and put them under the tree. Every night from December 1 to December 24 my children pick one book to unwrap, and we read it before bed. The kids enjoy unwrapping the “presents” and having a surprise story every night.
After Christmas I pack all of the books away until the next year. These books have become treasured favorites over the last couple of years, and we’re looking forward to reading them all again this year. As the kids get older, I’ll probably replace some of the board books with books for older kids, but we plan on keeping this tradition going every year.
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stacey says:
what a wonderful idea!
November 27th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
~Amy says:
great idea!
~Amy
November 27th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Infinity Goods says:
Nice!
November 27th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
Liara Covert says:
SOunds like a wonderful, timeless tradition. Wouldn’t it be nice to decorate a tree or bush outdoors without cutting it down as well? That would be a way to enjoy a festive tree outside the wondow and then continue to enjoy its boughs all year round. Just a bit of ‘festive food for thought…’
November 28th, 2007 at 1:36 am
ames says:
Oh, what a wonderful, sweet idea, I would have never thought of that! What a beautiful way to make advent about getting together as a family and appreciating the holiday. I love it!
November 28th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Amber M. says:
Such a fabulous idea…time together is so much better than material gifts.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:38 am
Cocoa says:
This sounds like the perfect new tradition to start for our family. We love to read together.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Amy W says:
Totally doing this…what a great way to build up my kids books!
November 28th, 2007 at 11:49 am
GiBee says:
This is a wonderful idea!
November 28th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Michelle at Scribbit says:
Oh I’d love to see the complete list, I have a copy of Carol Beach York’s The Christmas Dolls that I treasure from childhood.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Lynnae says:
You know, I thought about posting the complete list, but unfortunately I already have the books wrapped and under the tree, so I don’t remember them all. Smart, huh?
If you’re still interested after Christmas, I can give you the complete list then.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Jennifer Partin says:
What a fabulous idea!! I want to try this—-hope I have that many Christmas books. Thanks for sharing.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:39 am
kim says:
I LOVE this idea. This is going on my list of things to do next year. We don’t have that many Christmas books this year, but maybe I can find some good ones on clearance after the holiday.
November 29th, 2007 at 6:18 am
~Amy says:
I decided to do this….we got the Christmas stuff down today. The kids found the book but I told them they couldn’t read them and that they could wrap them up. They had a blast wrapping them up. I noticed our books are little kid books (my kids are past that stage…but they will still have fun).
We didnt’ have enough to make it Christmas so we got out our christmas movies and wrapped them up also.
The kids are excited about starting this process.
November 29th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Lynnae says:
I’m glad you’re all loving this idea! We have a lot of fun with it! My kids are looking forward to opening the first book tomorrow night!
@Amy - adding the movies was a great idea!
November 30th, 2007 at 5:51 am
Karen@FamilyBriefs says:
This is so wonderful! I usually just put all our Christmas books under the tree when I unpack all the Christmas stuff. Having them wrapped up is so much more fun! I better get busy wrapping - tomorrow is the first!
November 30th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
5 Ways to Keep the Gimmes Away This Christmas | beingfrugal.net says:
[...] of activities at Christmas time. Nothing too harried or hectic, but lots of fun family activities. We read a lot. We watch movies together. We make cookies and candy [...]
December 4th, 2007 at 3:41 am