There is so much magic and anticipation wrapped around the holiday season—especially in an effort to uphold beloved traditions. Traditions can give families a sense of belonging, create a shared understanding of values, and become a core way to create memories. They can also help kids learn more about what’s important to their family.
And yet, traditions evolve and change just as kids do. So, if you’re looking for new ways to build a love of reading this holiday season, we’ve collected some of the inspiring holiday reading traditions families have established in their homes. Plus, they’re easy and incredibly impactful opportunities to make this season bright for kids. See our favourite book-related holiday traditions below.
If you have a seasonal book you read every year without fail, add in an annual book signing. Each year, write a note inside to record the date, who was there, where you were, and any fun memory you’d like to remember from the year. As kids re-read these books over the years or pass them down to younger siblings, they’ll be able to relive precious holiday memories.
An advent calendar might be a popular way to count down the days until Christmas. Instead of opening chocolates or trinkets each day, switch them out with books. Choose a collection of classic picture books, holiday-themed stories, or any mix of titles your child would enjoy. You can wrap up seasonal favourites that you already have, or even add a few new books that would be of interest to your child. Each night, have your child choose one book to open and read it together as a family.
Whether you’re kicking off the holidays or relishing a free night during a hectic season, toss on festive pyjamas and read a new holiday picture book together. Get everyone to revel in some down time and experience a new title with a thematic family night that’s pure relaxation and reading.
The holidays are a great time to reinforce that reading isn’t just a solitary pursuit — it’s something to be shared. A great idea for readers of all ages: Host a book exchange and have guests wrap up a favourite book from the past year to give as a gift. Turn the exchange into a white elephant-esque game or keep it simple; however you play, it’s a spirited way to see what books are inspiring other readers.
Whether your family celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or something else, find books about other holidays to introduce your readers to new traditions from other cultures. We’re currently loving Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, Little Dreidel Learns to Spin!, Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa, and The Berenstain Bears: The Very First Christmas.
This is one tradition that teaches kids to get excited about giving. If you have multiple kids in your household, consider giving them each a small budget to shop for a new book for their sibling, or let them pick out a book from the library that they think their sibling would enjoy. It’s fun to see what they pick out for each other and how they consider their sibling’s interests.
For older readers, spend the season reading one chapter a night of a special story. It could be the final instalment of The Bad Guys or another seasonal favourite. All that matters is that you pick a story that means something to your reader and have fun with it. Invite different family members to read different characters or take turns reading pages each night. Even better, tie the book to a great movie that you can lead up to at the end and watch together to experience the story in a new format.
Any day is a good day to resolve to read more. But, the quieter pace of a winter break can be a great time to reconnect as a family over books and to get inspired to do so more often. Maybe picture books and pyjamas is a tradition you want to carry through the rest of the year, or you resolve to have sibling book swaps during other holidays. These traditions can make reading special during so many seasons.
Whether it’s an extra-special read-aloud with extended family, a holiday book paired with hot chocolate, story time near the tree, a book advent calendar, or the magic of an extra special series all wrapped up in a bow — the experience of reading is a gift that will stay with kids (and families) throughout their lives. Here’s to a season full of reading!
Need ideas on where to find that perfect present? Find the best books of the year, seasonal stories, great gifts, and so much more at our Holiday Shop!
Originally published by Scholastic Parents on November 11, 2024. Versioned for Scholastic Canada.
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