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Our family has a fun Christmas Countdown Tradition that I don’t even recall the details of how we started. But we all love it! We have done it a few different ways over the years, but basically we countdown to Christmas with children’s Christmas books!
I love sitting in the light of the Christmas tree reading stories about Christmas, Jesus Christ and the meaning of Christmas. It’s a great way for us to talk about the why behind Christmas. And to help our kids focus a little more on giving, serving, and the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Our Family Christmas Tradition
So there are a ton of different ways you could go about doing this. I used to wrap up a book for each day in December. It was a lot of work, and it’s a busy month so there were often a few nights we weren’t home.
I have also had years where we just put them all in a basket to enjoy all season and just choose one of our favorites to read each night. You can read about ways we have done this Christmas Countdown tradition right here.
This year I am going to go for the countdown again, but we are going to just do a 12 day Christmas countdown. I even created a fun little coloring page we can put near our books for the kids to mark off each day as we get closer to Christmas!
The Best Christmas Books for Kids
The Tale of the Three Trees – This is by far my very favorite Christmas Book. It talks about 3 trees and their dreams for what they could become. They all get chopped down and turned into things they aren’t proud of. But then they all get to have incredible interactions with Jesus. It’s a very cute book with beautiful illustrations.
Humphry’s First Christmas – This story is about a cute little camel who follows a star with his rider. He talks of carrying heavy treasure, and shares his simple experience meeting the Savior. It’s very simple and sweet.
The Symbols of Christmas – In this book there are cute rhymes to teach the different symbols of Christmas. It also has beautiful pictures as it shares the different symbols that represent Christmas.
The Christmas Train – Shared by President Monson, this Christmas story teaches the joy that comes from giving. And of seeing the joy others feel when you are willing to help!
We Believe in Christmas – Another story that teaches the symbols of Christmas in a different way. It shares all the things that we believe in that are part of Christmas. I like that this book ties in the belief of Santa because he represents giving, and having joy.
Away in a manger – This just shares the song away in a manger throughout the book. It has beautiful illustrations of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.
The Berenstein Bears and the Joy of Giving – Brother and Sister Bear learn all about the joy that comes from giving. As they participate in a nativity program they feel the true meaning of Christmas. This Children’s Christmas book feels very relatable to kids!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Here is a classic most of us already know. But it’s a great reminder the the kids that Christmas Spirit doesn’t come from the store.
The Night Before Jesus – Set to the same tune as Twas the Night before Christmas, this story of the night Jesus was born is a darling twist on the original story!
Who is coming to our House? – This is a board book that shares what all the animals in the stable do to get ready for the birth of the Savior. It’s great to little ones and still teaches big kids too!
The Polar Express – Another classic Christmas story! I love that this one talks about believing. While the real point of Christmas is to believe in Jesus Christ, I like that his book points out what belief is!
Llama Llama Holiday Drama – This book accurate portrays all the chaos that happens with Christmas. We love the llama llama books, and this one is especially fun. It shares the importance of having each other during the holidays!
Here are some other great books to add to your collection or as part of your family’s Christmas Countdown tradition!
- The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore
- How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace
- Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey
- I Spy Little Christmas by Jean Marzollo
- My First Story of the First Christmas by Deanna Draper Buck
- One baby Jesus by Patricia A. Pingry
- The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry
- You are my merry by Marianne Richmond
- Get well Santa by Julie Sykes
- Hurry, Santa by Julie Sykes
- Drummer Boy by Loren Long
- How many miles to Bethlehem by Kevin Crossley Holland
- Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
- The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
- Christmastime is Here by Fisher Price
- Pete the Cat’s 12 Groovy days of Christmas by James Dean
- Dasher by Matt Tavares
- The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
- Merry Christmas Stinky Face by Lisa Mccourt
Christmas Countdown Advent Coloring Page
This year I added a fun coloring page to our Christmas Countdown Tradition. Each day when we finish a book, the kids can color in an ornament on the tree to mark it off. It’s a fun simple way to include our Christmas book tradition and an advent calendar as well!
You can download this Christmas Coloring Page for free by filling out the form below, or by signing into our freebie zone here.
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