We want to share a frugal, yet practical Christmas Countdown Idea. We love Christmas and all that is represents. We try to find ways to enjoy the season as a family and make the things that matter the focus of the season.
As the season draws near and Christmas day, it can be so easy to get lost in the commercialism of the season, and easy to forget the things that matter the most – the reason for the season and the gift of family.
Family time together is a gift
Each and everyday is a gift. Even outside of the Christmas season, it is so easy to get wrapped up in the day’s events and day’s tasks. But there is also one thing about the Christmas season that seems to happen – it reminds us of the reason for the season and the many meaningful gifts we have been given: life and our family.
Our family enjoys a family Bible study time together a few nights a week. This is an important time for us. But one thing that I often neglect is a night time fun reading with my kids. I wake up so early in the morning, like 5-5:30 am, to start my work for the day here on The Thrifty Couple before my kids get up.
That means that by 8pm at night, I have no brain power or energy left. I just crawl into bed after barely tucking my kids in. They ask for reading time at night and I all too often make the “I’m too tired” excuse.
That is why I love this tradition that we started a few years ago. It reminds me again of this precious time with my kids at night. It is because of this tradition that I am reminded about how important this is to my kids and reminds me to be more intentional about it throughout the year.
It also reminds me that we started this tradition several years ago because reading time is important to our family.
What is this Christmas Countdown Idea turned Tradition?
The Christmas Countdown Idea that has turned into a tradition in our home is the Christmas Book Countdown to Christmas.
Let me explain it!
This would be a fun tradition to start and a great way to countdown to Christmas! It is a great option that doesn’t include candy or toys, but time together, memory making and a learning experience!
The way to do this is by collecting books around your home (to save money) and perhaps some that have been on the bookshelf a while, include some Christmas themed books, and wrap them up (even in newspaper) and stick them under the tree! You can number them if you desire to read them in a certain order, or just let the kids pick and unwrap a present each night and read the book aloud to them.
We have so many books, that our kids forget that we already own these books and so it is like a newish book to them! But I have also gone to the dollar store and grabbed 2-3 new books to add to the mix as well. We have some Christmas books that really don’t get read, except this time of year…..including some old, traditional books given to us by a great aunt that are kept up high on the parents’ book shelf all year. This is a great time for us to get these out as well!
In addition, you can also get books from the library. Since most libraries across the country let you borrow books for at least 3 weeks, so just put the library books towards the beginning of your tradition and return them after.
I bring up the library because we also compiled a list of 37 Christmas Books to Share With Your Kids and instead of buying them, you can borrow them. Like I mentioned above, I will usually buy 2-3 new ones each year to add to the collection of borrowed and already own books. So no matter how you do it, just do it!
See that list of 37 Christmas Books to Share With Your Kids HERE.
You can print the list and take it to the library to borrow some of these books!
How to implement the Christmas Countdown Idea with books
For this Christmas Countdown idea and tradition, you can start on day #1 of December, or you can do a 12 days of Christmas, or you can start today and countdown from this point. It really doesn’t matter! What is important is time together and reading aloud to kids in a new and exciting way than normal!
Let your kids unwrap the book and then read it to them before bed. Share laughs, giggles, snuggles and be reminded of what a gift life is.
We also still have family Bible study and will often do a Christmas Advent study. But this is just a fun “before bed” tradition this season in addition.
I am excited to start this tradition again and spend that time with my kids each night, along with reminder of why I should be doing this throughout the year.
What a fun way to countdown to Christmas! Enjoy!
What do you think of this Christmas Countdown idea?
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