{holidays} Book Countdown

For years now I have wrapped up 24 Christmas books and the kids have unwrapped one each day. We snuggle up and read them together and it’s something we all enjoy. I now have enough of a collection that I don’t need to reserve a ton from the library, but that is usually what I did in years past. Some books were forgettable, and some were so good I would buy it for our library whenever I had a coupon or saw it during the year.

I wanted to continue the tradition this year but I was not feeling the work of wrapping 24 books! So instead I have a stack of books in my closet and I just pull one out every day. Guess what, the kids don’t really miss the opening of the books at all! They are just as happy to find the book waiting for them with their breakfast each morning. It’s especially fun this year because I have quite a few board books I was ready to give away and now they’re perfect for Sam! The twins love reading their old favorites to him and even though he has no clue what’s going on, he knows something is up and that it’s pretty fun.

The only new book I added to the stack was The Crayons’ Christmas by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. My kids love this series and I knew it would be a hit! It has a bunch of letters to open, kind of like the Jolly Postman books?, and it made for a giggly morning. I also highly recommend The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker by Jessica Courtney Tickle. I bought that one last year and it is an all time favorite! (all the story orchestra books are great!) That’s the book in the picture. I had their mouse reading it to our Nutcrackers and of course it’s open to the page of her favorite scene. The kids thought it was hilarious and I was pretty proud of myself- ha!

Anyway ,this is your reminder that traditions are fun, but a lot of work isn’t necessary. Simplifying can be a good thing and can change the focus a little and however you countdown to Christmas, I hope you’re enjoying this special time of year!