Every year, around this time, I look longingly at all the beautiful Advent Calendars in the shops. I know my daughter would ADORE one but I really don't like the idea of giving her chocolate every day (I am trying to ensure she doesn't end up a chocoholic, like me!).
Well, this year, my dilemma is over. I just came across a fantastic idea over on Read Aloud's Facebook page. They suggest wrapping 25 children's books and placing them under the Christmas tree, along with a special blanket. Every night, before bed, the children select one book to unwrap and then read together, snuggled up under the special blanket.
I will definitely be adopting this suggestion in lieu of an Advent calendar, with an extra special one for Christmas morning. I suspect it will become an annual tradition. I think my kids will love it even more than chocolate – especially seeing as the baby can't eat yet. Best of all, it gives me a great excuse to indulge my book-buying habit, guilt-free!
One of the mums over on the brillkids.com forum recommended that instead of buying new books, you could use 25 Christmas-themed books which could then be recycled each year #recessionbustingmoms. And, here’s a link to another mum’s idea of wrapping up 25 winter-themed books http://dancingwithdinos.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/advent-calendar.html.