December Daily™ 2011 | Day Eighteen
Welcome to December Daily™ 2011 | Day Eighteen.
This is one of those stories that could have gone on any day. It's one I've been wanting to tell this year as it was a new tradition for us.
24 Christmas books got wrapped up and we've been opening one each night (and a couple mornings before school while waiting for the bus). It's been fun to do it this way vs. bringing them all out on December 1 in a basket (I put them away in my Christmas tubs when it's not December). The kids have taken turns opening them and even though some have been more for Simon's age or Anna's age it's been totally fine. I think I purchased about four or five this year to make the total 24 (and we received a couple as gifts). The rest I've been collecting over the years.
I went back and forth one too many times about adding anything to the first photo.
So I just stopped and decided the photo was enough.
This is one of those photos I know I will love down the road. It shows something simple that most people might not think about taking a photo of that's actually a meaningful part of our holiday season (reading Christmas books). Over the years some of these books might disappear but I'm hoping they are around for some grandchildren someday in the far future. It would be cool to be able to show them what they looked like when their parents read them.
In addition to the shot of the books on the floor (we keep them under the tree) I also took a shot of the ones that are still wrapped.
Thinking I'd like to add a list of the 24 books we used this year once they are all opened.
SUPPLIES | DAY EIGHTEEN
Click on the images to link to the products.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHARE A LINK TO YOUR DAY EIGHTEEN
You’re invited to include a link to your DAY EIGHTEEN page here. Please link directly to your post vs. your general blog link.
I Love this Christmas book idea. I have 11, 9, and 7 year old boys. The 7 and 9 year-olds both love to listen to the Christmas stories. My 11 year old will still listen to some of the stories. I'd like to do this next year...and I'm hoping that they will still want to listen to some of the "younger" Christmas stories. What a nice tradition this would be for someone just starting out with a young family... On another note, I haven't had a chance to get any stories or pictures added to my december daily (although i am keeping track of what I wanted to write about). Family visiters put a little monkey wrench in my alloted "creative" time... Here's to "catching up".
Sign in or sign up to comment.
G*O*R*G*E*O*U*S photos ali!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I have seen this idea but never got around to doing it for my own children, however, this year I did it for my class of Grade 3 students. I wrapped up 22 books (one per student) and each day one student chooses a book to unwrap and I read it to the class. The person chosen also makes a figure for our class nativity scene. Since the last child won't have a "choice" in the book they choose, they will get to make Jesus for the nativity scene. They are loving it!
Jane
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love this idea. I plan to do this for my nephews next year. Great pic of the books under the tree.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Love this. I have never wrapped the books. I keep them in a basket during the holiday and they go back in the Christmas tubs after the holiday. I like the idea of 24. I will have to increase my stash! I also do this with Christmas movies!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
We've started the book advent tradition this year, too, and I'd love to see your list!!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Love this idea Ali!
Are these brand new books or ones that the kids already had with a few new ones mixed in? I think I'll try to start this tradition... maybe a book a day for the last five days before Christmas? Ha! :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
??? UNRELATED QUESTION... Preserving Pre-School Art ???
Ali, a few years ago you posted something about preserving pre-school/kindergarten art. I've been trying to find that post to find out what it was you used (I think it was a spray) to preserve the items. Would love to hear what it is from you. Thanks!
Hi Tamera - hmmmm, I did a quick look and it didn't come up easily for me either. I know I've talked about it but it might have been in a FAQ post. I don't spray any of my kids stuff (you could use a spray called Archival Mist). These days I'm storing just a few in boxes, photographing some, hanging some on the wall and putting other pieces in Project Life. The vast majority are recycled.
Here's a cute idea that was shared here in 2010 by Elizabeth Kartchner: http://aliedwards.com/2010/03/guest-post-storytelling-frames-by-elizabeth-kartchner.html
Thanks Ali. Knowing how busy it is just before the holiday, I appreciate your reply. I'll check out the link and do like the box idea. There is so much to sort through isn't there? Thanks again and wishing you, the kids and your family a very Merry Christmas!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am taking a photo of my child holding the book (they take turns opening each day) and plan on doing the 24 books of December page to add to my album. Also doing this with where the Elf has been hiding for 24 days.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
What a wonderful new tradition. Thanks for sharing.
Mary
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, when you make the list of books, be sure to add a photo of you, Anna, and Simon cozied up together while you read the story. :-) It's a fabulous tradition, and I used to collect
Christmas storybooks for my ds, too. I never thought to wrap them though! Neat idea :-)
Was thinking about how I need to set up the camera with my timer to catch that :).
Sign in or sign up to comment.
the wrapped books look AMAZING! the loved the idea when i read about it on your blog and i've bought about 10 new christmas books this year. but we've only read a few ... but my aim is to be all good to go with 24 books for next year, so im hoping for a few after christmas sales :>
Sign in or sign up to comment.
love this idea Ali, wish l had of thought of doing that when my young adult children were young, l dont think l will be a grandma for many years to come, but l have started buying books for them already,
Sign in or sign up to comment.
this reminded of me of when my oldest two daughters where little and we were visiting my parents for christmas. one night my mom put a blanket on the living room floor, popped popcorn and we read a bunch of christmas books. the girls loved it! and so did we. i need to put that in my book as a favorite memory.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love this idea--we do not have children, however I thought about doing this for me next year---as in the spring and summer going through all the books that I have collected, wrapping them and putting them away until Christmas next year...A treat for myself!
Lots of these books are ones I really like to read too :).
Sign in or sign up to comment.
One of my entries in my DD for this year is a list of all the Christmas books and movies we've been enjoying this month. Gotta get more books for next year after Christmas when they are on sale.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love this!! Will be doing next year - would also love to see a list of your books - I know there was a bunch of discussion on book suggestions in another post...
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Like so many others since reading you were doing this we have done the same. I didn't actually number them (as I was still waiting on some books when we started) but I will do so next year. It is a great "advent" idea that I hope will become a "tradition" in our family. I love the way you have documented yours, I haven't taken pics yet but will have to do so tonight! Thanks so much for the inspiration xxx
Sign in or sign up to comment.
What a fabulous idea, must remember that for next year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hoping to start this tradition with some of the grandkids!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love the book idea! I've been trying to think of a way to do a countdown that didn't involve a candy filled calendar. This is a great idea.
Jen
Sign in or sign up to comment.
That is a very cool idea!!! An easy, kid friendly advent calendar that doesn't require much cash (as long as you have 24 christmas books!!!)
Sign in or sign up to comment.