Last year I started what I think is going to be one of my favorite Christmas traditions. When my kids are grown and out of the house, I have a feeling that I will look back on this one with a fondness that will make my heart ache with nostalgia…a children’s Christmas book advent.
This is the kind of tradition that has multiple layers of wonder and awe built into it. First, because it is an advent, it lasts for 25 days. There’s something sweet about lingering over an activity for that long. The excitement isn’t over in mere minutes but instead lasts long enough to entangle itself into your memories.
Next, I take the time to individually wrap the books and make them look beautiful. This simple step creates a visually enticing advent that beckons children to rip open the merriment found within. Also, since the books are wrapped, the children will have to wait until each day comes to know what book they will be reading. This way, the surprises keep on coming!
Furthermore, this tradition requires the family to snuggle up together and read. Physical touch and closeness is critical for kids to feel safe and a sense of belonging and love for one another. This tradition guarantees that every night for almost an entire month the day will be capped off with a long cuddle session reading together.
Lastly, I love how this tradition takes every member of the family on a journey together without ever leaving the house. Books take us to magical places inside our minds and hearts. They teach us wonderful lessons and stretch our capacity to empathize. Since this is a Christmas book advent, these books are filled with feel-good stories of giving, love, awe and hope. They feel like a warm blanket wrapped tightly around you.
My hope is that by continuing this tradition each year, these books will cement themselves into my children’s hearts, and when they are adults and have families of their own, busy shouldering responsibility and stress and hard decisions, they will only need to look at the cover of one of these books, and instantly feel wrapped up in a hug. A hug that has its origins in their childhoods and is reaching out to them from days gone by, filling their hearts with joy.
Since this is only my second year doing this, I have yet to finalize my forever list that won’t change. We are still finding our favorites, but here is the list of what I wrapped for this year:
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
The Nutcracker (choose your favorite edition)
The Berenstain Bears & The Joy of Giving by Jan & Mike Berenstain
The Night Before Christmas (choose your favorite edition)
*Note: you do not have to buy 25 Christmas books to be able to start this tradition with your own children. Many of the books in my basket this year are checked out from our local library. Some weeks ago I started putting these books on hold so they would be ready for me to pick up before December 1. If you use library books, make sure you wrap them in an order that allows you to return the books on time!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and happy reading!
Hugs,
Nicole