This is a post from last year, but it's been so popular that I wanted to post it again in case any of you need ideas for an advent Calendar this year! You will most likely have everything you need....so you can start today! Here's the link to the original post from 2010.
I've been wanting to do this advent calendar for years...and I finally get to do it! This will be our first Christmas home since having children, and I've wanted to have this be a family tradition of ours since I saw this idea from a neighbor of mine years back.
Children's Picture Book Advent Calendar: What is it?
24 Christmas Picture Books, all wrapped up and marked for each day leading up until Christmas. This way, we will be reading one Christmas story a night!
Now don't panic...getting 24 Christmas Books isn't as hard as it looks. When you can check out Christmas books from the Library for 3 weeks at a time, it makes it rather simple....you may need to renew one time in there, but it still makes for a lovely tradition! And inexpensive too!
And Book #24......is the Bible, so that lessens the load a bit. But you'd be surprised how many Christmas books you already have. Really, I am sure you have more than you think you do. I think books on winter can even count too... And don't forget any Christmas Anthologies with short stories in there too.
Here's a list of a few of mine in there:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Oh there are SO many Christmas books that I want to get my hands on....I have so many favorites that I don't even have own yet! But this year, most of the books in our Advent Calender we DO own (thanks to the need to have a few books for "research" when working on my book) but even still....to the children, these books will be like new since they are all wrapped up.
These books are now in our open bookcase in the basement (thus the really lousy photo...sorry!) But this way, they are in plain visibility. Another good place is the hearth of the fireplace...or in your child's bedroom.
Anyways...I wanted to share in case anyone needed a good idea for an advent calendar this year. And the best part? It's either "rented" or a good reason to add to your already established Christmas collection.
Have any of you ever tried this one? It's a new tradition for us this year, and I think this one is here to stay!
Happy Christmas!
xo
sarah