How to Make a Christmas Book Advent Calendar for Home or the Classroom

There is something magical about reading with kids during the holidays. We pull out the seasonal books, the Christmas lights twinkle, and peppermint fills the air. A Christmas book Advent calendar allows us to savor a good book with the kids each day during December leading up to the 25th.

Here is everything you need to create a book Advent calendar for home or school including favorite books to use in each setting.

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Make a Christmas Book Advent Calendar for Home

• Step 1: Decide if you want to do a 12-day or 24-day book Advent calendar.
• Step 2: Pick your books.  If you have some books already, start with those. See the ideas below to help pick some new ones too.
• Step 3: Decide how and where you want to display the books.
• Step 4: Wrap and number the books.
• Step 5: Set everything up.
• Step 6: Unwrap one book each day and enjoy reading with the kids.

Make a Classroom Book Advent Calendar

Making a book advent calendar for the classroom is much like making one for the home. You’ll still want to wrap the books and place them on a table or in a basket.  Or, you might set them in easels on top of a bookshelf.

And, you will want to select 12 books, but not just any books.  You want ones that will capture the interest of a whole class of wiggly little ones.

Build a Book Advent Calendar on a Budget

It takes time to build a collection of books, but it doesn’t have to be pricey to acquire a good set of books.  Try these tips for budget-friendly options.

• Use your public library and check out titles.  Make sure that these books are first in the reading line-up so that they can get back to the library before their due dates. I always prefer to order my books through the online portal by visiting my library’s webpage.
• Utilize book club flyers to find many new and popular titles at discounted rates. The binding on these books isn’t great, but you can reinforce the spine with packing tape.
• Used holiday books can be found in great condition at resale thrift shops such as Once Upon a Child, the Goodwill, or the Salvation Army.
• Check to see when the next public library book sale is being held.  I’ve always found holiday picks at them for as little as a quarter each.
• Shop books on Amazon on Cyber Monday.  Lots of deals to be had!—>Here is an easy link with many of my Christmas favorites
• Another cost-effective option is to read a chapter each day from a chapter book. That way you only need a book or two. I’d recommend The Vanderbeekers of 141st StreetThe Family Under the Bridge or The Family Under the Bridge.  And, the Winston books are specifically set up to read a chapter a day. Enjoy How Winston Delivered Christmas or How Winston Came Home for Christmas.

And, don’t feel like you need to start with 24 books.  Do a 12 Days Before Christmas instead.

Christmas Book Recommendations for Book Advent Calendars

Read 12 Books Perfect for Classroom Read-Alouds (Fun Titles)

The books on this list make wonderful read-alouds for a large group reading. 

• They have bright bold pictures.
• Contain dialogue or rhythm & rhyme.
• Capture the attention of a squirmy holiday-ready group of young children.

12 books is a great number for the number of school days many schools have before the winter break.

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”0399168664″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas[/easyazon_link]by Laura Murray (make these Gingerbread Man ornaments after reading too)
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”1416958967″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Bear Stays Up for Christmas[/easyazon_link] by Karma Wilson
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”1484782909″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Santa Bruce[/easyazon_link] by Ryan T. Higgins
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”0062110624″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Pete the Cat Saves Christmas[/easyazon_link]by Eric Litwin
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”1492657042″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Don’t Push the Button A Christmas Adventure[/easyazon_link] by Bill Cotter
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”B019HB863K” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Stick Man[/easyazon_link] by Julia Donaldson
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”0060278676″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]If You Take a Mouse to the Movies[/easyazon_link] by Laura Numeroff
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”0761462392″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Turkey Claus[/easyazon_link] by Wendy Silvano
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”0811818071″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Olive the Other Reindeer[/easyazon_link] by J. Otto Seibold
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”0061700231″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Santa Claus and the Three Bears[/easyazon_link] by Maria Modugno
11. [easyazon_link identifier=”0670011614″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Llama Llama Holiday Drama[/easyazon_link] by Anna Dewdney
12. [easyazon_link identifier=”1442496738″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho![/easyazon_link] by Doreen Cronin

Try These Best 12 Picks for Home (Mix of Fun and Meaningful)

Any of the books on the above list would work, or try these.

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”0544580141″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Polar Express[/easyazon_link] by Chris Van Allsburg
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”0375826432″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Sweet Smell of Christmas[/easyazon_link] by Patricia M. Scarry (a favorite from my childhood)
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”0385327218″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree[/easyazon_link] by Robert Barry (one of my favorites)
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”0399254080″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Night Before Christmas[/easyazon_link] by Rachel Isadora
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”0698119657″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Welcome Comfort[/easyazon_link] by Patricia Polacco
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”1416950494″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Mortimer’s Christmas Manger[/easyazon_link] by Karma Wilson
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”1406378542″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Christmas Eve Tree[/easyazon_link] by Delia Huddy
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”141692518X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Room for a Little One[/easyazon_link] by Martin Waddell
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”1680101021″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel[/easyazon_link] by Tracey Corderoy
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”141695029X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Santa’s Favorite Story[/easyazon_link] by Hisako Aoki
11. [easyazon_link identifier=”0140558772″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree[/easyazon_link] by Gloria Houston
12. [easyazon_link identifier=”0399170715″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Gingerbread Christmas[/easyazon_link] by Jan Brett

If you don’t have the funds or time to do a full 24 days of books, this 12 days list is a great option.

Add 12 More to Take You 24 Christmas Books

If you would like to do a full 24 days, then add these books to your list.

1. Mrs. Santa Claus by Penny Ives is out of print, but so worth hunting down at the library.
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316127159″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Jolly Christmas Postman[/easyazon_link] by Ahlberg
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316115347″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Santa’s Book of Names[/easyazon_link] by David McPhail
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”0590458469″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]I Spy Christmas[/easyazon_link] by Jean Marzollo
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”0698115678″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Legend of the Poinsettia[/easyazon_link] by Tomie dePaola
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0698114124″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Too Many Tamale[/easyazon_link]s by Gary Soto
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”0064434877″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Christmas in the Big Woods[/easyazon_link](Little House Picture Book) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”0152001212″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Night Tree[/easyazon_link] by Eve Bunting
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”0394800796″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]How The Grinch Stole Christmas[/easyazon_link] by Dr. Seuss
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”015253184X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Merry Christmas Strega Nona[/easyazon_link] by Tomie dePaola
11. [easyazon_link identifier=”0887435750″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Christmas Wreath[/easyazon_link] by James Hoffman
12. [easyazon_link identifier=”0692912444″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]A Little Christmas Tree[/easyazon_link] by Anthony Merrill and Michael Bast

Here are even more of my Christmas favorites.—> More Favorite Christmas Books

Christmas Books Just for Toddlers

If you want to add some titles just for the baby and toddler crowd, you’ll want to check out our post- Christmas Books for Toddlers.

Try These Tips for Next Year’s Book Advent Calendar

1. The real deals come after Christmas so make sure to hit the stores for books after the holidays.  You’ll have a jump start on your collection for next year.
2. Also, wrap for next year right after Christmas. Recycle wrapping paper and wrap up the books right away and that will save you time for next year.  Just pack the books away with your Christmas decorations.

Hopefully, you are inspired to start a new tradition with the kids.  It’s pretty easy to start and the memories will last a lifetime.

When you get your books all wrapped, show them off on Instagram. Tag me @growingbookbybook and/or #growingbookbybook so I can see them.

Happy Reading and Happy Holidays!

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This post first appeared on 11/12/18 and has since been updated.