If you didn’t already know, we LOVE books around here!! And every Christmas holiday season for the last few years we host a hot chocolate and favorite holiday book night!! My kids each invite 1 friend over and everyone wears pajamas (that may in fact be my favorite part 😉 )! Blankets and stuffed animals are welcome, of course, and each kid brings their favorite holiday picture book to share! We lay out a spread of Christmas cookies, hot chocolate mixes, apple cider, and egg nog. My husband usually spends a day or two beforehand baking Christmas cookies with my kids in preparation for this night. However, if he can’t, store bought cookies work in a pinch!
We make sure to provide PLENTY of napkins!! HA!! Everyone enjoys a warm drink and a cookie while I read some Christmas books!! We have extra chairs set up throughout our kitchen so kids can get comfy and sit and listen.
My boys often sit with blankets and friends on the floor!
I usually have the kids vote on which books we read and I try to intermix funny or silly books with more reverent books about the season. We have our Little People Nativity available for the littler kids to play with while we read. If little kids begin to get too restless we invite them to go into the basement to play until they feel like they can sit again.
I always think we’ll end up reading 15 books, but, really I end up reading about 8. Often parents stay to enjoy this fun tradition! We have invited whole families, or just individuals. This has become something that my kids look forward to every year! Last year we even included some families on google meets to join in! Everyone can come and go as they please. My husband is in charge of the hot chocolate and goodies while I read the books. This book party lasts about an hour, sometimes less, depending on the age of the kids involved. It really is so easy and so worth it!! Cheers to that!!
This celebration of the season has become one that we all cherish! In the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation, this is a time for us to focus on the reason for the season! Time spent with friends and family, uplifting books that speak of sacred things, and, of course, a little chocolate!! Happy Holidays!!
Kayleen
