Here's a layout I created after last Christmas to record the tradition and if you'd like more information on any of the books mentioned, I created a linked list in this post last year.
It's not too late to start this tradition yourself if you'd like.
The scalloped die cut paper ties in perfectly to this layout for several reasons.The edge matched the edge of the number tags that label each book and the background features a text pattern which ties into the book theme.
Journaling:
We started a new Christmas tradition a couple of years ago. Basically, we read a holiday-themed book each night starting December 1 through Christmas Eve (of course, that night is always 'The Night Before Christmas').
It took a couple years to collect enough books and the Christmas of 2008 was the first year we had a full countdown from the 1st to the 24th.
Last year I actually wrapped each book, so it was like opening a present every night for Kaitlin! This year I ran out of time, so I just put the numbers on and mixed them up so she'll have to search through the basket for the right number. She liked it just as well…we’ll see what I come up with next year.
Here's the list of books that currently fill our Christmas Book Countdown basket:
1. Santa's New Jet
2. Snowmen at Christmas
3. The Twelve Days of Christmas
4. Once Upon a Christmas Eve
5. Christmas Tree!
6. The Wild Christmas Reindeer
7. Donald's Christmas Gift
8. The Crippled Lamb
9. The Littlest Angel
10. The Nutcracker
11. Snowmen at Night
12. The Three Snow Bears
13. A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree
14. The Christmas Blizzard
15. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
16. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
17. 'Twas the night before Christ
18. The Pine Tree Parable
19. The Polar Express
20. Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale
21. The Reindeer Christmas
22. Santa's Secrets Revealed
23. SantaKid
24. The Night Before Christmas
While we generally enjoy all the stories, I bolded a few of our absolute favorite books. I am hoping to keep collecting holiday books so that we can switch out a few from year to year.
I also hope to pass on this special collection of books to Kaitlin when she has her own child one day so that she can continue to enjoy this cherished tradition.
Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny, Pink Paislee
Chipboard: Pink Paislee
Ink: Colorbox
Scalloped Trimmer: Fiskars
Font: American Typewriter
