advent book calendar

Old traditions ...

I always pounce on the $5 amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs at Walmart the minute they put the Christmas stuff out. Not sure if I planted them early enough to get blooms by Christmas, though!


This year I lucked out and got a bulb sending up two flower stalks (!!!). That's never happened for me before!

.... and new traditions! I first stumbled upon the idea of using books for an advent calendar at the cute craft/art/family blog, Jupiter Buttons (she discovered the idea on Ohdeedoh). I've always loved advent calendars, but wasn't into the idea of candy and presents everyday. Books? Now that's a tradition I can wholeheartedly support. I tried to keep them all holiday/winter themed, and have displayed them in descending order so you can always see how many days are left until Christmas by looking at the mantle. We started a few days late this year, but here are the books we're using:

• A Wish to be a Christmas Tree, by Colleen & Michael G. Monroe


• Snowmen at Night, by Caralyn & Mark Buehner


• Llama Llama Holiday Drama, by Anna Dewdney


• Bear Stays up for Christmas, by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman


• Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad, by Mercer Mayer


• Cross-Country Cat, by Mary Calhoun


• Little Critter: Just a Snowman, by Mercer Mayer


• Auntie Claus, by Elise Primavera


• Madeline's Christmas, by Ludwig Bemelmans


• The Gingerbread Pirates, by Kristin Kladstrup


• Olive, the Other Reindeer, by Vivian Walsh


• Cajun Night Before Christmas


• How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss


• Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree, by Robert Barry


• The Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher, by Robert Kraus


• Snowmastodon! Snow Day Adventure, by Aimee White Beazley


• The Night Before Christmas, illustrated by Clement C. Moore


• Red Sled, by Lita Judge


• Jingle Bells, by Kathleen Daly


• Mystery of the Missing Red Mitten, by Steven Kellogg


• Morris's Disappearing Bag, by Rosemary Wells


• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

So far, it's been a great success! We're keeping the books out in a basket in the main living room, and they're getting read over and over and over. I can see this tradition continuing for many years to come!