DIY Christmas Book Advent Calendar: A Festive and Cost-Efficient Countdown to Christmas!

Are you ready to add a bit of magic to your Christmas countdown this year? If you have a stash of leftover Christmas wrapping paper, ribbons, and maybe even some festive bows collecting dust, I have a fun and cost-effective way to put them to good use. Let’s create a Christmas Book Advent Calendar — a holiday activity that’s both budget-friendly and a memory-maker for your family!

Why a Christmas Book Advent Calendar? It’s simple, delightful, and brings daily excitement. By wrapping 25 of your Christmas books, you’re creating a daily “gift” for your children to unwrap as they count down the days to Christmas. Imagine their faces lighting up each morning when they see a new wrapped book waiting to be discovered! And if they’re books from past Christmases, it’s double the fun: the joy of unwrapping and the nostalgia of revisiting beloved stories.

Materials Needed:

-25 Christmas or holiday-themed books (they don’t have to be new; gather ones you already have!) - Leftover Christmas wrapping paper (those small scraps will come in handy)

- Ribbon, bows, or any other decorations you have on hand - Optional: number tags (1-25) for each day in December

How to Assemble Your DIY Christmas Book Advent Calendar

1. Select Your Books: Gather 25 holiday or winter-themed books. Don’t worry if you don’t have exactly 25 — you can always include bedtime favorites and even borrow some from your local library.

2. Wrap the Books: Wrap each book with your leftover wrapping paper. You don’t need to get fancy here; use up all those scraps that are too small for large presents. Have fun mixing up patterns for an extra festive look.

3. Decorate with Ribbon and Tags (Optional): Add any leftover ribbons or bows you’ve accumulated over the years. If you want to make it a true countdown, attach number tags (1 through 25) to each book. This lets your child know which one to open each day and keeps the surprise going all month long.

4. Display Your Wrapped Books: Stack the books in a cozy corner, under the tree, or in a festive basket. The sight of all those wrapped “gifts” will add to the excitement as your kids see the stack dwindle down with each day.

How This Countdown Adds to the Christmas Magic Not only does this advent calendar make use of materials you already have, but it also becomes a new tradition your children can look forward to each year. They’ll get to relive their favorite Christmas stories while building anticipation for Christmas morning. Plus, as moms, it’s a win for us too — we get to use up all that stored wrapping paper and ribbon, clearing some space and adding a bit of cheer to the daily routine!

Bonus Ideas:

- Include a New Book on Christmas Eve: If you’d like, you can surprise your kids with a new book on the 24th, adding an extra-special touch to the last night before Christmas.

- Add Little Treats or Notes: If you want to add even more magic, slip a small note or a festive sticker inside each book with a holiday-themed activity, like “Make hot chocolate” or “Have a cozy pajama day.”

Final Thoughts The DIY Christmas Book Advent Calendar is a beautiful tradition, a gift of time and togetherness, and a great way to bring holiday joy into each day of December. So gather your supplies, dig into that wrapping stash, and start wrapping those Christmas books — because nothing says the holidays like cozying up with a good story!