25 Books Til Christmas project: FREE

Our 2nd annual 25 days til Christmas countdown!

Tonight we began our countdown to Christmas.
I chose 25 Christmas/Winter-themed books from the library and wrapped them in paper bags & raffia. Simple. (they aren't due back until 12.28. Remind me. )
My son's face lit up when he came home from school to find them all wrapped & under the Christmas tree.
The idea is we will read one nightly (we read a book as part of our bedtime routine already), the last one on Christmas Eve, leaving the space under the tree bare. Watching that space clear out builds anticipation for the big morning.
This idea was inspired by another blogger (can't remember which). I decided to make it happen with library books & paper bags last year. Only, as my son reminded me tonight, I didn't get started until day 15 or so. I planned to surprise him with bringing back this tradition, assuming it didn't make too big an impact last year since we started late. Then he surprised me yesterday morning with "mom, can we do the books til Christmas and can you get Tyrano-claus again?". Cool; he remembered! I share this because if you like this idea, go ahead & start this week. Mark the books according to the nights left until (& including) Christmas Eve. We all enjoyed it last year, even if we started counting down mid-month.
I wrapped the books in paper grocery store bags because I love the brown paper & I happen to have quite a stockpile. 

Lay the bags flat, so the bottom is folded underneath. 
I cut the top off, just under the handle.

Slide the book in just the first/top fold.

Fold the top down like an envelope & tape.
Add a # & go crazy with ribbons & bows or don't. 
Spread them (& only them) under the tree & watch the space empty out before Christmas morning!



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