25 Christmas Books for Kids to Read Together This Holiday Season
Looking for a Christmas tradition that doesn’t involve sugar or screens? The 25 Books of Christmas is a cozy, meaningful way to count down the days with your kids or grandkids, and it’s surprisingly easy to start.
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What Is the 25 Books of Christmas Tradition?
Each night in December, your child unwraps one book from under the tree and you read it together before bed. It’s simple, calm, and gives you a little pocket of magic each evening no batteries, glitter, or mess required.
I started this tradition for my grandson, Brandon, who’s turning eight this year. He loves cars, trucks, and trains just like most boys, but he also loves books. Every night after his bath, we’d climb into the recliner with popcorn, pajamas, and a story. Sometimes we’d read the same one three times, but those were the best moments of the day quiet, cuddly, and full of imagination.
This year, I decided to turn that bedtime ritual into a countdown to Christmas.
How to Start Your Own 25 Books of Christmas Countdown
- Choose 25 Christmas or winter-themed books.
Mix old favorites with new ones. Picture books, classics, and fun stories are all fair game. - Wrap each book individually.
Use festive wrapping paper and maybe a ribbon or number tag to mark each night. - Stack or place them under the tree.
You can keep them in a basket, crate, or even in a little pile by the fireplace. - Let your child pick one each night.
Make it part of your bedtime routine – unwrap, snuggle, read, repeat. - Save a special one for Christmas Eve.
The Night Before Christmas is the perfect finale to the countdown.
25 Christmas Books for Kids
Here are some wonderful options available on Amazon and other retailers. Most of these are under $5, with a few even under $3, making it an easy and affordable tradition to start.
- Frosty the Snowman
- Bluey: The Pool
- The Littlest Elf
- The Night Before Christmas
- Family Is Everything
- Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography
- Pete the Cat: Snow Daze: A Winter and Holiday Book for Kids
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit
- Good Night, Little Bear – A Sleepy-Time Tale
- Ten Wriggly Wiggly Caterpillars
- Amelia Bedelia Road Trip!
- 10 Fat Turkeys
- Christmas Mouse
- Fancy Nancy: Budding Ballerina
- Snowball Soup
- Lots of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids
- There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!
- Are You My Mother?
- The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving: The True Meaning of Christmas
- Clifford’s Good Deeds
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Llama Llama Loves Camping
- Curious George’s First Day of School
- Jingle Bell Joy: A Bedtime Christmas Rhyme for Kids Hardcover
- Tyrannosaurus Rex
- My First Book of Planets: All About the Solar System for Kids
- The Velveteen Rabbit
You can grab these individually or browse Amazon’s Children’s Holiday Books section for more options.
Why This Tradition Matters
Kids don’t remember every gift they unwrap, but they remember how it felt to sit with someone who made time for them. Reading together each night builds connection, calm, and excitement as Christmas gets closer.
Plus, it’s a great way to slow down and keep the focus on what actually makes the season feel magical, time spent together.
Start the 25 Books of Christmas Tradition This Year
It’s simple, sweet, and filled with heart. All you need are some books, wrapping paper, and a cozy place to read.
If you try this, tag me on Instagram @TwoSouthernSweeties I’d love to see your 25 Books of Christmas setup!
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