December Book Advent Box
Christmas time is nearing, a time for family and traditions.
One of the greatest joys as a mom is hearing my pre-teen daughter talk about what traditions were her favorite growing up and wanting to continue, even at her age now.
I found this idea in a Facebook post about 10 years ago and it is something we continued for many years.
I created a Christmas Corner in our house that had a tree just for my daughter. We decorated it with Disney themed and homemade ornaments in which each year we collected more for her. A toy train circled the base with a white felt base mimicking snow. I can still hear the sound it made and the glow of the lights illuminating from the corner each December.
Beginning December 1st each year my daughter would unwrap a new age-appropriate book. We would sit together by the lights of the tree and read. As she got a little older she would read to me, sometimes my husband, and even sometimes to the dog. At the latter of her Elementary days she would read to herself, or still to the dog. This is such a fun way to get children excited about literature.
I would not number the packages except for the one to read on December 24th. This was usually a version of The Night Before Christmas or another Christmas themed book. I wrapped the books in a special themed paper so it was just for her. I took pictures of her consistently the first couple of years to highlight her excitement. These are images that replay over and over in my head and bring a smile to my face each time.
The first year I began with the classics:
Ferdinand
Where the Wild Things Are
Dr. Seuss
As she got older, we switched to Berenstain Bears, Magic Tree House and I Survive.
Her library grew over the years and aged appropriately with her. She reread them over and over again.
The first year because of my “late to the game” finding it was expensive and wrapping was a last minute detail. Purchasing all of the books at once can be an expensive and daunting task. It does not have to be.
The second year I did this I had an idea of the books I wanted for her. I added them all to my Amazon cart, saved them for later, and watched for when they went on sale. Buying 1-2 books a payday was much more manageable then doing it all in October/ November.
Shop yard sales, shop Facebook Marketplace, ask friends with kids if they want to do a “book trade”. There are so many creative ways to make this magic for children.
For those late planners like myself, or the busy family that does not have the time to shop yard sales and Facebook Marketplace - here are the Amazon links of the classic books we started with when she was a toddler through 3rd Grade. The bundles of books were always the easiest and usually most cost effective.
The Rainbow Fish https://amzn.to/49DlKw2
Goodnight Moon https://amzn.to/3JuHvUh
The Story of Ferdinand https://amzn.to/4hQmZKE
If You Give A Mouse a Cookie - 6 book boxed set https://amzn.to/4oT0eYz
The Giving Tree https://amzn.to/4oqwCC1
Where the Wild Things Are https://amzn.to/3JIMVLr
The Gruffalo https://amzn.to/4hHo07w
Little Golden Books Classics https://amzn.to/47Jr6U2 (this was my go-to for many years because there are so many different books as my daughter had different interests).
Little Golden Books Princess Boxed Set of 12 https://amzn.to/49zANH1
Dr. Seuss’s Ultimate Reader Beginning Boxed Set https://amzn.to/4ou7c6H
Junie B. Jones Complete First Grade Boxed Set https://amzn.to/3WCwGT4
The Ultimate Berenstain Bears Collection https://amzn.to/3JLh1xS
Below are links for 3rd grade through 5th grade. Again - the box sets are a game changer.
Magic Tree House Collection https://amzn.to/47r28tD (this is an amazing set of 28 books!)
I Survived Series Complete Set (25 books) https://amzn.to/4hHm8M0
Dork Diaries Set https://amzn.to/4oolSE6
Christmas Themed Books
The Polar Express https://amzn.to/3Xe0QMx
The Night Before Christmas https://amzn.to/4oTmQrQ
How the Grinch Stole Christmas https://amzn.to/3LvoIIV
Frosty the Snowman https://amzn.to/4opEB2a
A Charlie Brown Christmas https://amzn.to/47PQyYa
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving: The True Meaning of Christmas https://amzn.to/3JocT6W
The Littlest Elf https://amzn.to/43U82RE
If you need an idea for a book advent box - ours looked similar to these.
Finish off your advent box with adorable Christmas wrapping paper!
I hope your kiddos enjoy this tradition as much as our family has over the years!
XOXO Lainie
Disclaimer: I am a part of the Amazon Associates Program and may receive a small commission from your purchases.
