24 Days of Christmas Books: A Book Advent Calendar for Kids
Looking for a magical Christmas tradition? Try a Christmas book advent calendar! Unwrap 24 Christmas books for kids — from timeless classics to modern favorites. Perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and little kids, this fun countdown brings holiday spirit, cozy family time, and lasting memories. Get the full book list + free tips inside!
When it comes to creating magical Christmas traditions, a Christmas book advent calendar is one of my family’s favorite ways to count down to the holiday. Instead of little trinkets or candy, we unwrap a new book each night for 24 days — a tradition we’ve loved since 2020, when I first wrote this post.
Over the years we’ve added fresh titles, but this core list of 24 Christmas books for kids is one we return to again and again. My boys look forward to it every December, and it’s become a cozy nightly ritual that brings us together in front of the Christmas tree with hot cocoa, Christmas pajamas, and a great story.
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What Is a Christmas Book Advent Calendar?
A Christmas book advent calendar is a festive way to count down to Christmas using stories instead of toys or candy. The idea is simple: choose 24 holiday-themed books, wrap them individually, and let your kids unwrap one each night from December 1st through Christmas Eve.
It’s a fun way to encourage reading, spend quality time as a family, and create memories that last far beyond the holiday season. Unlike a standard advent calendar filled with treats that disappear, books can be enjoyed again and again — year after year.
How to Create a Christmas Book Advent Calendar
Creating a Christmas book advent calendar doesn’t have to be complicated!
- Pick 24 Books: Use the list below or swap in your family’s favorites.
- Wrap Each One: Simple wrapping paper, kraft paper, or even reusable gift bags work great.
- Add Numbers (Optional): If you want certain books on certain nights (like The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve), number the packages.
- Make It Special: Pour some hot chocolate, play Christmas music, turn on the tree lights, and snuggle up together.
💡 Pro tip: If 24 feels overwhelming, start with 12 Days of Christmas Books instead.
Why We Love This Christmas Tradition
My family started this tradition in 2020, during a Christmas season that looked very different for everyone. At the time our kids were only 1 and 2 years old; we now have a 7 year old, 6 year old and 3 year old!
What began as a way to bring some extra cheer into our evenings has become one of my children’s most-anticipated holiday traditions. They still look forward to it every December, excited to unwrap a new story, curl up in their Christmas pajamas, and enjoy some holiday spirit together.
Over the years, we’ve added a few new books, but this core set of 24 titles is one we own, love, and return to every Christmas season.
24 Christmas Books for Your Book Advent Calendar
Here’s our family’s list of 24 Christmas books. These stories are a mix of classics, modern favorites, and meaningful tales that cover everything from Santa Claus and reindeer to the Nativity story and winter solstice.
This list is geared towards families of toddlers, preschoolers and little kids, and is a mix of types of books for that reason. I’ve also included books about Hanukkah and Kwanza, as well as the winter solstice, as it’s important to our family that we are teaching our boys about different cultures and religion.
If you don’t have toddlers at home, you’ll want to swap out some of these books, like Llama Llama, with ones more appropriate for your own children’s ages. If you need more Christmas-specific books, be sure to also check out The Best Christmas Books for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Little Kids. If you’d like to add more Hanukkah books, you’ll love The Best Hanukkah Books for Toddlers and Kids.
To make this easy, I’ve also created an Amazon storefront list with all 24 titles in one place. You can buy them individually or add them to your cart as a bundle by clicking the button below.
1. The Story of Christmas – A timeless introduction to the Nativity story.
2. Teeny Tiny Santa – A sweet tale proving big things come in small packages.
3. Little Robin’s Christmas – A story of kindness, giving, and holiday spirit.
4. How Winston Delivered Christmas – A chapter-a-day book with built-in activities. This is a great stand alone advent book too, as there are 24 chapters!
5. Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever – A magical origin story of Santa’s reindeer.
6. Dream Snow by Eric Carle – A farmer’s snowy Christmas dream, with counting fun.
7. Little Red Sleigh – Inspires kids to dream big and believe in themselves.
8. Llama Llama Jingle Bells – A board book perfect for toddlers.
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Celebrate Christmas with this Little Golden Book retelling of the classic 1964 holiday TV special.
10. The Story of Hanukkah – Introduces the Festival of Lights in kid-friendly language.
11. My First Kwanzaa – A colorful, accessible introduction to Kwanzaa traditions.
12. The Beginner’s Bible: The Very First Christmas – Jesus’ birth told simply for little readers.
13. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas – A holiday spin on a beloved character.
14. Construction Site on Christmas Night – Big machines, big surprises.
15. How the Grinch Stole Christmas – A must-read holiday classic.
16. The Polar Express – An enchanting Christmas Eve train ride to the North Pole.
17. Olive, the Other Reindeer – A playful tale of Olive the pup who mishears a Christmas carol and joins Santa’s reindeer team.
18. I Got the Christmas Spirit – A story of compassion and giving during the holidays.
19. The Crayons’ Christmas – Interactive fun with letters and surprises.
20. 5 More Sleeps ‘til Christmas – A countdown story full of excitement.
21. The Shortest Day – Explains winter solstice traditions across cultures.
22. Silent Night – The Nativity story told through the classic carol.
23. The Christmas Eve Tree – A touching story of hope and kindness.
24. The Night Before Christmas – The ultimate Christmas Eve read-aloud; the option I’ve linked has the most beautiful illustrations, too!
Budget-Friendly Ways to Build Your Book Advent Calendar
You don’t have to purchase all of these books if you don’t want to or have the budget. Here are a few ideas to still create a book advent calendar on a budget:
- Use what you own: You likely have 5–10 holiday titles already.
- Library strategy: Place holds early; rotate a dozen at a time.
- Secondhand wins: Facebook groups, thrift stores, Hobby Lobby seasonal shelves, and used book sales.
- Mix formats: Board books for toddlers + picture books for siblings keeps younger kids engaged. Many of these are also available as Kindle titles.
- Make it 12 nights: A 12-book countdown is an equally great way to start.
- Number order or surprise pick? Number your must-reads for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning; let kids choose at random on other nights.
Tips for Making Your Book Advent Calendar Extra Special
Here are some of our favorite tips to make each read extra cozy (without extra work):
- Press play on a 20-minute Christmas playlist
- Pair each book with a small treat (like a candy cane) or hot cocoa.
- Add in Christmas crafts inspired by the story.
- Invite grandparents or family members to do a “guest read” over Zoom or FaceTime.
- Save your family’s favorite Christmas tradition books for weekends when you have extra time to read.
FAQ: Christmas Books for Advent
How many books do I need for a book Advent calendar?
Traditionally 24 books (Dec 1–24). Busy season? Try 12 Days of Christmas Books.
Are these only for toddlers?
No! While we focus on toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary, all ages can enjoy these picture-book read-alouds together.
Can I include non-Christmas holidays?
Absolutely. We include Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Winter Solstice titles—an easy, age-appropriate way to learn about different celebrations.
Do I have to buy new books?
Nope! Mix library loans, secondhand finds, and family favorites. Save new purchases for a few special nights.
What if we miss a night?
Double up on weekends or read at breakfast. The goal is connection, not perfection.
Keep the Magic Going this Christmas
Your family might also enjoy some of these fun and easy (and free!) family Christmas activities:
- Christmas Scavenger Hunt Printable: Hide the day’s book with a riddle—instant fun holiday activity.
- Christmas Activity Book for Toddlers: Color while you read; great fine motor skills practice.
- Family Christmas Activities at Home: More low-prep ideas for Christmas Day.
Final Thoughts: Why a Book Advent Calendar Is a Perfect Holiday Tradition
A book advent calendar is more than just an activity — it’s a perfect way to slow down during the busy holiday season and focus on connection. Whether your kids are toddlers or older, unwrapping a story together each night builds lasting memories and reminds us of the magic of the season.
From cozy nights with hot cocoa by the Christmas tree to bedtime stories that spark wonder, this tradition is one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas with your little ones.
Merry Christmas, and happy reading from my family to yours!
What a great way to repurpose books that may have been forgotten about as the year went on. We all love reading at our house.
What a great list of holiday books! My favorite is The Night Before Christmas 🙂
I love this idea! I am going to do.. since we all are stuck at home it’s a great way to spend time together and stay excited about the holidays!
What a special Christmas tradition! I would have loved to do this when my kids were younger!
This is such a great idea! I love books! How special for the little ones!
What a wonderful tradition. I wish I had thought of this when my boys were young.
What a great idea! My oldest would have LOVED this when she was growing up! She always had her nose in a book! We actually have quite a few of the listed books in our collection!
What a wonderful way to create memories!
Great idea for an advent celebration. Without being able to go to church, it’s had to feel the spirit.
I love the idea of the focus of Christmas books! How fun!
What adorable book ideas! I love having new book ideas for the grandkids!
What a great idea! Thank you!
This is such a wonderful idea! My kids would have loved this when they were young. I’ll share this idea with my grown kids so they can do this with their children.
Creating memories is very important! What a wonderful way to accomplish that!