The 12 Days of Christmas in Books

The 12 Days of Christmas in Books

At first, I had intended on presenting my children with a selection of 24 Christmas-related books leading all the way to Christmas but since we have only one local English library and currently still haven't won the lottery (how can you win without buying a ticket?), it makes it a bit difficult to find these materials. As such, I decided to do the 12 days of Christmas in books starting on Christmas day and ending on Epiphany (aka January 6). It will give us access to "more" Christmas books from our library and Santa has also given me a hint that the kids may be receiving some new Christmas books this year again (hush, hush on my private connection with the big man). In the meantime, here is our suggested reading list for the holidays:

The 12 Days of Christmas in Books (pre-approved by Adrian) 4.5 years old

- Merry Christmas, Splat by Rob Scotton

- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

- The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett

- Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

-If you Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff

- Fletcher andthe Snowflake Christmas by Julia Rawlinson

- Harold at the North Pole by Crockett Johnson

-Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood

-How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

-The Night Before Christmas (Pop Up) by Clement Clark Moore

-Babushka and the Three Kings by Ruth Robbins

-Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean

The 12 Days of Christmas in Books (pre-approved by Zahavah) 2 years old

-Carl's Christmas by Alexandra Day

-Merry Christmas Ollie! by Oliver Dunrea

-Mouse's First Christmas by Lauren Thompson

-The Cheerios Christmas Play Book by Lee Wade

-Where is Baby's Christmas Present? (A Lift-the-Flap Book) by Karen Katz

-Maisy's Christmas Day by Lucy Cousins

-Tell me the Christmas Story by Joni Walker

-Christmas Peekaboo by Dawn Sirett

-Bunny's Fuzzy Christmas by Golden Books

-The Sweet Smell of Christmas (Scented Book) by Patricia Scarry

-The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

-Charlie and the Christmas Kitty by Ree Drummond

What's on your Tot and Preschooler's Reading list this season?

Countdown to Christmas - How to Spread the Cheer

Christmas is once again on its way (yay) and I cannot help but smile. I've always loved Christmas. I've always looked forward to Christmas and always felt melancholic when it was over. A big part of me thinks that my Christmas appreciation is anchored somewhere in my childhood. I remember some specific smells that would come around the holidays, some special movies, jingly songs, sparkly decorations, cheerful family gatherings, and so on. My parents -whether they knew it or not- were spreading through the holiday season, some Christmas cheer that made me fall in love with Christmas and everything surrounding it. I want my children to feel this same excitement when it comes to the holidays so this year, I've compiled a list of activities that should build the anticipation and the Christmas spirit.

Adrian's way of spreading Christmas cheer back in 2008

Countdown to Christmas - How to Spread the Cheer

1. Open the first door of your advent calendar

2. Start the Elf on the Shelf tradition

3. Visit a Christmas tree farm and "adopt" a tree

4. Deck the Halls with all the family members

5. Send a letter to Santa; an old fashioned one that requires a stamp!

6. Make your own Christmas ornament

7. Play some Christmas music

8. Watch Christmas movies (The Polar Express anyone?)

9. Watch Santa's parade / Visit a Christmas market

10. Go see Santa...just in case he didn't get the memo! ;)

11. Drop some coins into a Salvation Army bucket and the spread the cheer even further

12. Go caroling...even if it's door to door in your own house

13. Read some Christmas books (more on that later)

14.Kiss under the Mistletoe (the perfect excuse to steal a kiss from your little one!)

15. Go ice skating (outdoors or indoors!)

16. Take a walk at night to see the Christmas lights of the neighborhood

17. Make a gingerbread house and gingerbread people

18. Make a dish/drink infused with cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg to perfume the house

19. Go sledding (weee!)

20. Bake some Christmas cookies only children are allowed to decorate

21. Drink eggnog (bonus point if you make your own with the kids)

22. Encourage the kids to Wish "Merry Christmas" to a neighbor they know

23. See snippets of the "Nutcracker" ballet / play (Thank you YouTube and school plays!)

24. Track Santa thanks to NORAD; leave cookies and milk for him

25. Open a present...or two and say "thank you"!

How do you spread the cheer?