Christmas Book Advent Calendar

One of my favorite traditions growing up was our Christmas book Advent calendar. Each day of December we would receive one new holiday book to open and read together. We usually received a few new books each year, but for the most part, the same books were used year after year. Because they were put away after each Christmas, each year they always seemed “new” and exciting again!

If you are just starting this tradition, it can seem like an overwhelming and expensive task! My hopes is that this blog post makes it easier for you by answering all of your questions: what books to include, where to find them, as well as tips I have learned along the way!

Where to find Christmas books:

Let me start by saying- please don’t feel like you need to go out and buy 24 new books on Amazon when beginning this tradition- that would be SO expensive! I do add a few new books to our collection each year from Amazon or a bookstore (see below), but 75% of our collection has been found much more inexpensively. Here are my favorite places to find less expensive books:

1. Thrift Books: Exactly what it sounds like! The company finds gently used books and sells them at a fraction of the cost of new. I buy books from here all the time and they’ve been in great condition! Besides- if you have young kids, it’s nice not to have to worry about them ruining a brand new book!
2. Kidsbooks.com: I recently discovered this website and am SO impressed. Most books are in like new condition and are only a few dollars! Their selection changes frequently but I have found dozens of great books for our library-holiday ones included!
3. Thrift Stores: If you’re able to safely visit thrift stores, they can be a great spot to find holiday books! At least half of our collection has been thrifted!!
4. FB Marketplace or buy nothing groups: Utilize social media and see if anyone local is selling or giving away some holiday books!
5. Local library: Maybe the best place to find filler books is the library! I just recommend having those books be ones that are opened earlier in the month, in case you need to return them. The library is also a great resource to use to see how your family likes a book before purchasing it.
6. After season clearance: You can often find holiday books up to 75% off after Christmas! Keep an eye out for books that you can purchase to add to your count down next year.

Tips and tricks for setting your Christmas book Advent calendar up:

Here are a few things I do to simplify our Christmas book Advent calendar:

1. If you choose to wrap the books, label the back with some sort of indicator of what is inside! This will help you if you’re using library books and can help you order them in a strategic way.

2. I highly recommend numbering your books and doing so in an intentional way. Those books that aren’t your favorite to read? Put them towards the end of the month 😉 You can find free printable labels on this post.

3. At the end of the season, wrap your books before storing them! One less thing to do at the beginning of the holiday season.

Advent Calendar Book recommendations:

There are lots of lists of Christmas books out there, but what I have found that they are lacking are books geared towards the youngest readers! I’m all about gathering a collection of beautiful, aesthetically pleasing books- but I think developing a love of reading is even more important!

On this list you will find a mix of books- yes, some will be beautiful to look at- but there are also interactive books, sing along books, lift the flap books etc. Books with a goal of encouraging a love of reading this holiday season with your little one.

Snowmen at Christmas

This series of books is so magical for little ones as they imagine what snowmen might do when no one is looking. This Christmas version is one of our favorites!

The Wheels on The Bus at Christmas

I added this one to our collection this year for our “Wheels on the Bus” lover and was very pleasantly surprised when I received it. The illustrations are not only adorable, but include diverse characters and I know Henry will love singing along to this one!

The Spirit of Christmas

Nancy Tillman books are always so special and this one is no expception- a beautiful reminder of the importance home and celebrating with your family (perhaps especially relevant in 2020!)

The Night Before Christmas

I love this classic one and this is always saved to be unwrapped on the 24th!

The Nutcracker

This is a simple, but fun interactive board book that is great for babies and toddlers. I also love this musical version for a little older kiddos.

Frosty the Snowman

Books that you can sing-read are some of my very favorites for this age because they are so captivating for little readers! This book is comprised of the lyrics to the song so that you can sing along & I love that the illustrations aren’t movie based.

12 Days of Christmas

Jill Howarth creates the most beautiful books with whimsical, vintage inspired illustrations. This is one of my favorites, but you can’t go wrong with any of her gorgeous books!

S is for Santa

Another book with adorable, vintage style illustrations. This one is an alphabet book; each page with a different letter and Christmas image.

When Santa was a Baby

Such a fun story imagining what Santa was like as a baby- and the illustrations are just adorable!

Elmo’s Countdown to Christmas

I try to include a couple of books each year that are fun for Henry to look at independently. Is this a great piece of literature? Probably not. A fun book with lots of flaps for toddlers to explore? Yes 😉

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Another new to us book this year and it was so different than I expected-in a good way! It tells the original story of Rudolph (not the movie version!) and has beautiful illustrations. A timeless classic that will be read for years!

Jingle Bells

This book is so fun- it includes the lyrics to Jingle Bells and has real jingle bells attached to the book to shake as you sing along! (And bonus- it’s another beautiful book from Jill Howarth!)

Pick a Pine Tree

You may have seen this book on a lot of holiday book lists- but with good reason! It has beautiful illustrations and toddler read aloud friendly text. It would be especially perfect for families who pick a live tree for Christmas each year.

Christmas Songs Sound Book

Another toddler favorite- but one that I surprisingly enjoy! Each page consists of different Christmas song lyrics and the buttons on the side play the instrumental version of the song so that you can sing along. A fun book to read/sing together, as well as play with independently!

Construction Site on Christmas Night

If you have a construction loving toddler, then you are likely already familiar with these books! Henry LOVES the books in this series so this was a must add to our collection this year.

A Treasury of Christmas Stories and Songs

Includes 18 different classic stories and songs- a beautiful keepsake that will be read for years to come!

You’re my Little Christmas Wish

A really sweet book that would be perfect for babies first Christmas!

The Tree That’s Meant to Be

Such a sweet, feel good, story about accepting each other’s differences and caring for one another. Good for toddlers, but also one that will be enjoyed for many years!

If Animals Celebrated Christmas

Part of the “If Animals Kissed Goodnight” series- this book imagines what animals might do if they celebrated Christmas like we do!

Where’s Santa Claus?

This series of books is brilliant for little ones! It is a lift the flap book- but with felt flaps instead of paper! Much more durable and provides a different sensory experience too.

Christmas Village Wimmelbook

Wimmelbooks are such unique books! They consist only of large, detailed illustrations that encourage your toddler to tell the story. They remind me of a more sophisticated “Where’s Waldo”. I love that they are “open ended” and can be used in so many different ways as your child gets older!

Little Blue Truck’s Christmas

Little Blue Truck books are just the best and this Christmas version is no exception!

Silent Night

A beautifully illustrated version of the song- but I just love that the illustrations feature characters with a range of skin tones, much like they actually would have been during the events that took place. A beautiful keepsake book.

Santa and the Goodnight Train

The Goodnight Train is one of Henry’s favorite books and we love this Christmas version too!

This Little Reindeer

A simple and sweet twist on the classic nursery rhyme “This Little Piggy”.

Itsy Bitsy Snowman

I think we own all of the “Itsy Bitsy” books- Henry has loved them since he was tiny! They are sweet board books that can be sung to the tune of “Itsy Bitsy Spider”.

First 100 Christmas Words

A fun book for little ones to explore, especially during the years when they are learning to talk and expanding their vocabulary!

Bear Stays up for Christmas

The bear books having the most loveable characters and I love that this one focuses so much on the joy of giving!

Last Stop on the Reindeer Express

This book appealed to me for a few reasons: 1. The illustrations and peek through details are just gorgeous! and 2. The story is about a girl who is missing her family at Christmas which we can relate to as we have grandparents who live out of state. Another book that will be loved for many years!

Santa’s Cookie is Missing!

This board book has adorable die cut circles on each page which makes it so appealing for little ones to turn as they solve the mystery of Santa’s missing cookie!

Dear Santa

From the creator of “Dear Zoo”, lift the flaps to see what is wrapped inside each present. These books are great for encouraging little ones to make predictions!