He who hasn’t Christmas in his heart will never find it under the tree.
~ Roy L. Smith
A Christmas countdown is part of our yearly Christmas traditions. I just love advent calendars and the excitement that mounds as our family counts the days down to Christmas. I love the visual representation of advent calendars and count down activities; they help us see that Christmas is, indeed, getting near.
One of my all time favorite Christmas countdowns is using books. (Of course.) 🙂
A Bookish Christmas Countdown
By gift wrapping used or new books and allowing your child to open a book a day to read aloud together, you will certainly motivate them to read and create lasting memories. It is a terrific tradition that instills the love of books as well as growing literacy skills.
Here is how the Christmas countdown works:
-
Gather 25 or 26 books depending upon what day you intend to begin your countdown. The books can be new or used. Choose books that interest your family.
Check out this list if you would like some Christmas picture book suggestions.
-
Gift wrap each book. You can stack them into a tree shape like the photo or label each book with the date it is to be opened. Do whatever suits your family and have fun with it.
-
Each day have your child unwrap one book to read aloud together. Do this each day until you reach Christmas. It is so fun! 🙂
For certain, this is 25 ways to motivate your child to read. Cherish the time together and happy reading. 🙂
You may also enjoy: 3 Steps to Helping Your Child Be A Better Reader
What are some of your favorite advent traditions?
Let’s make a positive difference~ one word at a time.
♥Pamela
Please share this article with others that you think would benefit from these tips. Also, please ask any questions that you may have about teaching children reading or writing. Leave your questions in the comments. I’ll answer. 🙂
To learn more about Literate For Life, see the welcome post.
Yay! I now have pinterest. Let’s connect there too. 🙂
Also, if you’d like to get more helpful posts like this delivered to your e-mail, please be sure to subscribe to the list. See the blue box labeled “subscribe” on the top of the right side bar. This is free, and I promise not to send spam. I look forward to you becoming part of our community.
Photo Credit: enjoyinglifewith4kids, pinterest.com
This is such a wonderful idea! My daughter just asked for an advent calendar and this seems so much more fun. Thanks for sharing this on the Kid Lit Blog Hop.
Stacie,
Thank you. I’m so glad you like the idea. It is fun. 🙂
Together, we make a positive difference ~ one word at a time. 🙂
Pamela
With us stsrting to Homeschool my son Charlie this will be a great way to build our homeschool library. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Glenda,
Thank you. I am so glad that this was helpful to you. I wish you the best with homeschooling Charlie. We home educated our children. 🙂 It was challenging and rewarding. I’d do it again.
Together, we make a positive difference ~ one word at a time. 🙂
Pamela
I seriously love this idea. As a book blogger myself, I have really tried instilling the love of reading in my kids. They do love to read too, problem is there’s 3 of them at different reading levels. I’d have to go to the goodwill to fund enough books and not break the bank! Stopping by from Mommy Monday Blog Hop and would love you to linkup with us at Small Victories Sunday Linkup too!!
Tanya,
Thank you. I am happy to connect with another book blogger. 🙂 One way to not go broke with the 3 different reading levels is to use the library. (I bet you already do that.) I’ve even wrapped up the library books. Thank you for the invitation.
Together, we make a positive difference ~ one word at a time. 🙂
I love this idea! It sounds like the perfect way to get my daughter excited about reading again!
Emma,
Thank you. I truly hope that this will spark her interest in reading. It is so much fun. 🙂
Together, we make a positive difference ~ one word at a time. 🙂
Pamela
Pamela,
This is not only a clever way to promote reading books, but such a fun activity as well. Thanks for sharing – I know I’ll be sharing this post as well and can’t wait to implement with my granddaughter!
Donna,
Thank you so much. It is truly fun. I know your granddaughter will love it. Great ways to build lasting memories, bond, and create literate kids. 🙂
Together, we make a positive difference ~ one word at a time. 🙂
Pamela
What a lovely idea – I wish my two were still young enough to share this with. Via #KLBH
Marjorie,
I’m so glad you like this. I know what you mean. My kids are teens now, but I still plan to spread the idea, and I hope to use it with grandchildren some day. 🙂
Together, we make a positive difference ~ one word at a time. 🙂
Pamela