Christmas Book Advent

We got our tree last night and made an evening of pulling out all the decorations and making the house all Christmas-y.  We're starting a new tradition this year that I'm really excited about.  I've been planning it for months.

Every since early fall whenever I've been in a used book store or thrift store I've looked specifically for Christmas books.  We already had a few, but I needed at least 24!  I was actually so thorough, that we now have about 30 :)  The kids and I tucked them into our (very wrinkly!) cloth gift bags and put them under the tree.  It looks so festive to have some wrapped presents under there already. 

Starting December first they'll get to open one "present" and we'll read that book (or books; some have two).  I think it will be a wonderful reminder to slow down each day and enjoy the season.  I have a mix of books that focus on the Savior and those about non-religious Christmas traditions.  We're missing some essentials, like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever for example. But I'm guessing I'll just keep adding until each bag has at least two stories in it!  I don't think anyone would complain about that.

Here's our list, in no particular order.  Which books would make it onto your Christmas Advent list?  Are there any I should add?  Have you ever done a book advent?

1. Bear Stays Up for Christmas
2. Room for a Little One
3. Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
4. The Polar Express
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
6. Great Joy
7. Only a Star
8. Cold Snap (Not a Christmas story, just a cozy winter one we love)
9. The Nutcracker
10. The Light of Christmas
11. The Night Before Christmas
12. A Merry Little Christmas
13. The Story of the Snow Children (another winter tale)
14. The Tomten
15. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey
16. Christmas Day in the Morning
17. The Story of Christmas
18. The Wild Christmas Reindeer
19. Baby's Christmas
20. Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present
21. Cowboy Christmas
22. Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama
23. An Orange for Frankie (makes me cry every time!)
24. A Christmas Carol (the picture book version, though we also have this one.)
25. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree

PS We also do an advent with a scripture each day that tells the Christmas story and an activity like making luminarias or eating dinner by candlelight.  Oh, and I tuck a little treat into each pocket too:)  (Here are the instructions for making the cloth advent with pockets.)

PPS Not a Christmas book at all, but we've all been loving the book Make Magic, Do Good.  Have you read it?