One of the reasons our Advent Activity Jars have stuck over the past 5 years is that they are a way of making things that could seem fairly ordinary extra fun.
Every year we buy a new Christmas themed book for Christmas Eve then, when we take the decorations down, we also put away all of the Christmas themed books – including any others we’ve had as gifts and any that were part of sets – e.g. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! came as part of a whole set of Dr Suess books but I don’t really want to be reading that in August so it got squirrelled away with the Christmas books. All of the books came out again as the 3rd of our advent activities and E. sat and read all day.
This Christmas is E.’s 8th so we’ve got a fair few books now. Here are our favourites. I’ve ordered them vaguely in age order – but because they only come out once a year E. is pretty willing to read any of them.
This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the link and buy something I get a small advertising fee at no extra cost to you. We own all of the books I’ve linked to in this post.
Babies and Toddlers
Dear Santa
This is the christmas version of theDear Zoo book which we also love. It has simple illustrations and lift up flaps so its a sure win with Little Miss.
Aliens Love Panta Claus
Again this is a spin off – this time of Aliens Love Underpants. It’s funny and it’s easy to read aloud with lovely bright illustrations.
Preschool
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Dr Suess is a bit of a ‘love him or hate him’ author I think. Personally I’m a big fan and I think this is a great book with a good moral (and it’s much better than the film 😉 )
Father Christmas
This is the book that inspired the classic Christmas film It’s written in comic format with a lot of the action taking place in the pictures rather than the words so, although it’s quite simple, the child needs to be old enough to focus on the pictures to really enjoy it.
Ages 5-8 (ish)
The Jolly Christmas Postman
This is a fantastic book. The story is set in a fairytale land with lots of references to nursery rhymes and fairytales. On alternate pages there are little envelopes with extra things to read or do in them. E. loves it and it’s the only one of the books we’ve kept far out of Little Miss’ reach!
How Santa Really Works
This is perfect for E at the moment, there are lots of funny facts, jokes and illustrations. It’s written as if it’s non-fiction book and every time you pick it up you seem to find something you missed the last time you read it.
I hope that’s been useful, all of the authors I’ve listed have also written great quality children’s books so even if you’re not looking for something for Christmas there is bound to be something you’d like.
We haven’t bought this year’s book(s) yet so I’d love some suggestions – E will be 8 at the beginning of January and Little Miss is 18 months.
Oh that Father Christmas one looks lovely – very fun to follow the images. #bigpinklink
It’s a lovely book, it’s really funny too x
I love this as a tradition!! Love the idea of building up a huge collection of Christmas stories! #bigpinklink
Thanks, it’s such an easy thing to do and E. gets so excited when they come out x
Lucy and Tom at Christmas is another gorgeous book! Especially for 3/4yr olds! Love this list!
Ooo I used to have that one as a child! Thank you xx
This is great. I plan on doing this next year too. All the Christmas books can be stored away and then we’ll do an advent. Love it! #bigpinklink
I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for your comment.
Great list! most of these i haven’t seen before! i can’t wait to check them out! #bigpinklink
Thank you, I hope your family enjoys them as much as we do.
I read the jolly postman to my class yesterday and we are reading the Christmas one next week it is an absolute classic!!! I love the aliens lovebundetpants books too and will definitely be looking out for this Christmas version. Thank you for sharing #FamilyFun
Aw, I miss Christmas in schools – I wonder if anyone would let me just be a teacher at Christmas time.
Thanks for reading x
Well I’ll stop you at Dear Santa!!! I did not know that exists. Robert loves dear zoo so of course now I want this! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
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It’s really cute, I hope you both enjoy it x
This is a lovely idea. I love christmas books. #familyfun
Thanks for your comment x
We do the same with our Christmas books, it makes the special every year as they have completely forgotten about them and are very keen to read them over and over before they are put away again. I have neve heard of “How Santa really works” but it looks great! #FamilyFun
It’s a fab one, I love finding picture books that a suitable for bigger kids 🙂
Thanks for reading x
Some great books there. My children loved The Jolly Christmas Postman when they were small. I’d never heard of Aliens love Panta Claus but I might look into that one for the grandchildren.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
#familyfun
Oh they’ll love it – it’s just the right amount of silliness- and it’s about pants!!
Thanks for reading
What a great idea – I might have to steal this little tradition. My two absolutely love Dear Zoo and I had no idea there was Christmas version – will definitely be getting this for our first year of the tradition. Thanks for sharing at #familyfun xx
tammymum recently posted…#FamilyFun…Week 14
I hope they enjoy it as much as mine do.
Thanks for your comments x
What a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas. #FamilyFun
Thank you 🙂
These all sound fab, think I may have to pick up a few of these for my girls. Thanks for the suggestiona! Thank you for sharing with #bigpinklink x
Thanks for reading, I’m sure your girls would love any of them 🙂
I knew nothing about “How Santa Really Works” but LOVE the whole concept! If you have an older child who is right on the cusp of being a nonbeliever, this could be a perfect way to extend the whole magical aspect of the holiday! Thank you for letting us know. 🙂
Possibly – although my 8 year old is a true believer and he thinks the explanations in this book are a bit silly! I’m pretty sure they believe what they want to believe 🙂
Thanks for reading 🙂
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