Book advent calendar for children
Twenty-four wrapped stories, one to open each night. A book advent calendar is easy to make, easy to afford and the best bit of the countdown.
A book advent calendar is a simple idea: wrap a book for each night of December, number the parcels and let your child unwrap one each evening. You read that story together, and by Christmas you have read two dozen. It is also a lovely way to make reading the best part of the day.
It does not have to be expensive, and it does not have to be exactly twenty-four books. Here is how to make it work for your family.
What you need
- Books. Twenty-four, or fewer if you prefer. Mix new, borrowed and second-hand.
- Wrapping. Brown paper, tissue paper or newspaper with a bit of string, and a number tag for each night.
- A place to display them. A basket, a box, a shelf or a string of pegs on a line.
- Time. Ten minutes each evening to unwrap and read.
Four ways to build one
- The mix-and-match calendar. Choose a variety of picture books: new ones, old favourites, library books and some second-hand finds.
- The Christmas-only calendar. Fill it with Christmas stories from your own shelves and the library. See our list of the best Christmas books.
- The chapter-book calendar. Choose a single novel with around 24 chapters and read one chapter a night. No wrapping needed, though you could wrap the book itself.
- The mini calendar. Not enough books? Wrap twelve and open one every other night, or save a special book for each Sunday of Advent.
A week-by-week plan
| Week | Theme | Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (1–7 December) | Winter and snow | The Snowman, a book about animals in winter, and a favourite from your own shelf |
| 2 (8–14 December) | Funny and festive | Mog’s Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Stick Man |
| 3 (15–21 December) | Making and giving | The Jolly Christmas Postman, a craft book, and a story about kindness |
| 4 (22–24 December) | Cosy and calm | Christmas in the Barn, The Night Before Christmas, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey |
Leave the quiet, gentle stories for the last few nights, so that bedtime on Christmas Eve is calm.
Doing it on a budget
- Borrow. Library books can be wrapped and returned in the new year. Check loan periods, since you may need to renew or choose the library’s Christmas display carefully. See our guide to children’s books and your local library.
- Raid your own shelves. Old favourites that have been out of sight for a year feel brand new when wrapped.
- Buy second-hand. Charity shops and book sales often have Christmas books at a good price.
- Swap. Organise an advent swap with another family. Each of you wraps twelve and swaps.
- Mix in free things. A bookmark, a poem, a page from a favourite chapter book or a trip to the library can fill a day.
Our guide to a home library on a budget has more tips.
Making the nightly ritual special
- Pick a regular time. Before bed works well, since children are calmer.
- Let your child unwrap the book. The surprise is part of the fun.
- Read it together. Cuddle up with a warm drink and the lights low.
- Keep the books out. Put each finished book in a special basket, and by the end you will have a festive library.
- Let your child choose the order sometimes. Giving them a say adds to the excitement.
Starting late or missing a night
Do not panic. If you miss a night, open two the next evening. If you start late, wrap fewer books and count down from the day you begin. The point is a shared story, not a perfect record.
Frequently asked questions
How many books do I need for a book advent calendar?
Twenty-four for a full calendar, but you can do twelve, or even just one book with 24 chapters. Do what is realistic for your family and budget.
Can I use library books?
Yes. Wrap them lightly, keep them out of the reach of grubby hands and check the return date. Some families wrap library books for the first half of December and their own books for the second.
What if I do not have enough Christmas books?
Mix in non-Christmas favourites. A cosy winter story, a funny book or a much-loved bedtime book all fit nicely.
Is a book advent calendar suitable for older children?
Yes. Use chapter books, graphic novels or joke books for older children. Some families also include a short poem or a page of an audiobook for each day.