{"id":2338,"date":"2024-11-20T14:26:53","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T14:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.scholastic.ca\/scholasticblog\/?p=2338"},"modified":"2025-11-03T20:54:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T20:54:38","slug":"holiday-reading-traditions-to-try-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.scholastic.ca\/scholasticblog\/2024\/11\/20\/holiday-reading-traditions-to-try-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Holiday Reading Traditions to Try This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There is so much magic and anticipation wrapped around the holiday season\u2014especially 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\u2019s important to their family.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And yet, traditions evolve and change just as kids do. So, if you\u2019re looking for new ways to build a love of reading this holiday season, we\u2019ve collected some of the inspiring holiday reading traditions families have established in their homes. Plus, they\u2019re easy and incredibly impactful opportunities to make this season bright for kids. See our favourite book-related holiday traditions below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Annual Book Signing<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019d like to remember from the year. As kids re-read these books over the years or pass them down to younger siblings, they&#8217;ll be able to relive precious holiday memories.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Create a Book Advent Calendar&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>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, <a href=\"https:\/\/bookclubs.scholastic.ca\/s\/cec-ca\/en\/search?prefn1=coolTheme&amp;prefv1=Chanukah%7CChristmas%7CKwanzaa&amp;prefn2=itemType-cec-ca&amp;prefv2=N&amp;prefn3=languageCode-cec-ca&amp;prefv3=English%7CFrench&amp;start=0&amp;sz=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">holiday-themed stories<\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Picture Books and Pyjamas<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re 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&#8217;s pure relaxation and reading.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Host a Holiday Book Exchange<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The holidays are a great time to reinforce that reading isn\u2019t just a solitary pursuit \u2014 it\u2019s 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\u2019s a spirited way to see what books are inspiring other readers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Learn About Other Holiday Traditions<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019re currently loving <a href=\"https:\/\/bookclubs.scholastic.ca\/en\/-little-dreidel-learns-to-spin%21-\/29803832-cec-ca.html?cgid=root\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Pete the Cat Saves Christmas<\/em><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/bookclubs.scholastic.ca\/en\/-little-dreidel-learns-to-spin%21-\/29803832-cec-ca.html?cgid=root\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Little Dreidel Learns to Spin!<\/em><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/bookclubs.scholastic.ca\/en\/-li%27l-rabbit%27s-kwanzaa-\/3531333-cec-ca.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Li\u2019l Rabbit\u2019s Kwanzaa<\/em><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/bookclubs.scholastic.ca\/en\/-the-berenstain-bears%C2%AE%3A-the-very-first-christmas-\/2983543-cec-ca.html?cgid=root\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Berenstain Bears: The Very First Christmas<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Sibling Book Swap&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;s fun to see what they pick out for each other and how they consider their sibling\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Read a Chapter a Night<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>For older readers, spend the season reading one chapter a night of a special story. It could be the final instalment of <a href=\"https:\/\/bookclubs.scholastic.ca\/en\/-the-bad-guys-%2320%3A-one-last-thing-\/52480835-cec-ca.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Bad Guys<\/a> or another <a href=\"https:\/\/bookclubs.scholastic.ca\/s\/cec-ca\/en\/search?prefn1=coolTheme&amp;prefv1=Chanukah%7CChristmas%7CKwanzaa&amp;prefn2=itemType-cec-ca&amp;prefv2=N&amp;prefn3=languageCode-cec-ca&amp;prefv3=English%7CFrench&amp;start=0&amp;sz=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seasonal favourite<\/a>. 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. Make Reading Resolutions for the Year Ahead<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it\u2019s 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 \u2014 the experience of reading is a gift that will stay with kids (and families) throughout their lives. Here&#8217;s to a season full of reading!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>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 <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bookclubs.scholastic.ca\/s\/cec-ca\/en\/search?q=holiday&amp;prefn1=itemType-cec-ca&amp;prefv1=N&amp;collid=Holiday%20Shop&amp;start=00&amp;sz=20&amp;collid=Holiday%20Shop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Holiday Shop<\/strong><\/a><strong>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:3px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Originally published by Scholastic Parents on November 11, 2024. Versioned for Scholastic Canada.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There is so much magic and anticipation wrapped around the holiday season\u2014especially in an effort to uphold beloved traditions. Traditions can give families a sense of belonging, create a shared&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[5,6,84,35,36,38],"class_list":["post-2338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reading-tips","tag-book-clubs","tag-book-fairs","tag-families","tag-holidays","tag-november","tag-reading"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Holiday Reading Traditions to Try This Year | Scholastic at School Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scholastic.com\/parents\/school-success\/learning-toolkit-blog\/3-holiday-reading-traditions.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Holiday Reading Traditions to Try This Year | Scholastic at School Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There is so much magic and anticipation wrapped around the holiday season\u2014especially in an effort to uphold beloved traditions. 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