Beyond the Chocolate: Give a Book Advent Calendar

book-advent-calendar

Love the idea of doing an advent calendar for your kids, but pretty sure that they get enough chocolate in the days before Christmas, without an extra daily dose? Visual Arts and English teacher Natalie Panzarino shares how she makes the lead up to the holiday special in her home with a gorgeous book advent calendar. Book lovers, unite. I know you’re going to find this even sweeter than a sugar rush!


Traditionally, an advent calendar is used to mark off the days leading up to Christmas. Modern-day advent calendars tend to include either toys or chocolates in order to build the anticipation for the magical time that is Christmas. This alternative to the usual advent calendar helps to inspire creativity and to foster a love of reading and of books.

book-advent-calendar

No doubt you know that reading to your child is important. But did you know that it can increase communication and language skills, foster critical thinking skills, and develop imagination? Not only that, but reading is a great bonding opportunity.

Assembling a book advent calendar need not be an expensive exercise, you can easily pick up books from op-shops and charity shops for between 50 cents and $2, or find books on sale at book stores and pop-up shops. If you start collecting early it is easy to build up a variety of different books by December 1.

All you need to do is choose a colour scheme or theme for your calendar and wrap the books, remembering to number each book for each day; one through 24. You can arrange them on a shelf as pictured, or you can stack them by size to create a Christmas tree shape. The shelves pictured are inexpensive spice racks form IKEA that have been given a quick coat of paint. All up the cost of this project came in at less than $50.

Opening and sharing a new book each evening in the lead up to Christmas is a great family activity that encourages time together and reading books, and is also a great way to build your child’s reading library. Start a family tradition of building the anticipation for Christmas through a book advent calendar.

book-advent-calendar

The author: Nat is a Visual Arts and English teacher who also spends her time doing charity work for Greyhound Rescue and Got A Pen?  as well as chasing her busy 3 year old and doting on a newborn.
Read our review of her children’s book, Pointy Pembleton Visits the Dog Park.

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How to Make a Book Advent Calendar

5 thoughts on “Beyond the Chocolate: Give a Book Advent Calendar

  1. Every year I’ve seen this idea – and I think this year will be the year I do I for Miss 3 ? (Oh and will share on PTA Insta as well – I saw you added it to the thread) xx

    1. Yes, it does take at least a *bit* of getting-it-togetherness – something that can be in short supply this time of year! One day, one day! 😉

  2. I absolutely love this idea. Not only does it create excitement around reading but it’s fantastic for children who have food allergies, simply don’t eat chocolate or have other health restrictions. Some children with special needs have a peg feeding tube so can’t eat food that traditionally comes in Advent calendars. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Great point, Julie. Chocolate advent calendars can be a lot of fun, but unsuitable for some kids for any number of reasons. Plus, books keep on giving a lot longer than chocolate (except on my waistline!).

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