It's holiday time in full swing, and in the blogosphere that means posts galore about traditions and family fun being had in the spirit of the season. Two years ago, I read on my friend Corinne's blog about a really lovely Christmas reading tradition she had started with her children: The 12 Days of Christmas books. I remember loving the idea then, but being too preoccupied with newborn Pudge and toddler Red and all those adjustments that came with expanding from a four to a five member family. Last year, I think I meant to do it, but time snuck up on me, and well, [insert semi-plausible excuse here].
This year, I was determined to do it. I even had a bag of twelve books put aside weeks ago. I kept intending to get some wrapping paper down from the attic, but well... again, these things happen. But, never fear, on the first night that we were going to pick a book, I feverishly wrapped all the books while lovely hubby bathed the kids. So, yay! We have successfully copied our friend's wonderful idea!
basket o' holiday books!I've tweaked it a bit to work best for us, so we're reading just before bed each night, rather than in the mornings like my friend. With twelve books and three kids, the math works in our favor. Since I loathe the "that's not fair!" claim, we're diplomatically pulling names from a hat for four rounds, and so far we've got three nights under our belt. (We're reading our last book on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas evening.) Each night, the lucky one whose name was pulled gets to choose a "gift" book from the basket, unwrap it, and present it to everyone. I pulled together picture books of varied levels from our own collection as well as some library books. JAM is being a sport and sticking around for even the read alouds of the very 'young' books, just to be a part of the fun.
Now, the smart thing would have been to write down all twelve titles at some point in those weeks that I had them assembled before wrapping them all, right? Yeah. Well, on a good day I can only claim moderate intelligence, so unfortunately, this didn't happen. I can share with you, though, our first three nights.
A cute paperback book that we have from Scholastic, this one is a fairly simple story about a mouse creeping through the house on Christmas Eve and all the wonderful things he spies, from the cookies on the plate for Santa to the big jolly guy himself. This was a perfect pick for Red- she giggled through the whole thing.
Night 11, JAM's pick turned out to be: The Great Reindeer Rebellion by Lisa Trumbauer JAM was going for one of the thicker and bigger books in the basket (of course) and he chose one that did have some appeal to him in its humor. This picture books presents the reindeer as some disgruntled employees looking to use their leverage as the only ones Santa has to do the very important job of pulling their sleigh, and they make some demands that Santa isn't so keen on delivering. So, Santa opts to try out some new creatures for the job instead, and the fun begins as cats, dogs, and even flamingos get in line for a chance. I reviewed this very cute book for 5M4B earlier this month, and the kids really did enjoy it.
Night 10, Pudge's pick turned out to be: My First Christmas by Tomie dePaolaAgain, the perfect pick for the littlest one in our family to choose the littlest book. This board book is short and sweet, pointing out the beautiful decorations and items all around a home at Christmas time, of course in signature Tomie dePaola style. (One of my most favorite children's illustrators!) A very cute book for the youngest Christmas celebrators.
That's what my kids have picked (albeit from a group pre-selected by me) in our most recent holiday reading bonanza. Head on over to 5 Minutes for Books for more Kids' Picks.
(The complete list of our 12 Books of Christmas can be found here.)
Happy holidays and happy reading,
I saw the idea of wrapping books over at Hope is in the Word and I am SO DOING it next year! (Only I didn't think about doing it the final 12 days so I guess I've lost the last opportunity for this year.) Still! I am bound and determined to do it next year! =) I think it's a fabulous idea.
ReplyDeleteYay! I too had a feverish wrapping session to get them under the tree in time (we put them there instead of gifts, since I never get around to wrapping up Christmas presents till the very end anyway). I almost checked out Reindeer Rebellion, but someone beat me to it. :(
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting it together for this fun tradition! And for blogging about it. I just realized that I've been so busy getting Christmas on, that I haven't blogged since Thanksgiving! Egad.
Oh, and I hope whatever's weighing you down is resolved in a timely and favorable manner. Hugs.
Isn't it funny that our three kids each picked a book according to their relative size? :) Like it was almost meant to be.
ReplyDeleteI didn't write them down before I wrapped either! Next year, I'll try :) I'm going to try and get the reindeer one from the library :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I had known this idea when my son was growing up. I will have to pass it onto him so he can make a new tradition.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better soon.
That is so fun to read and unwrap! Great tradition.
ReplyDeleteWe really should do only 12. We always do 24, but that is a lot of wrapping. But if we don't, we will forget to read all the books!
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