twelve days of traditions: Christmas books with coordinating crafts

This is it . . . the moment we've all I've been waiting for . . . the first guest post of twelve (plus) days of traditions!  If you aren't sure what twelve (plus) days of traditions is all about, read more about it here and link up your own tradition ideas here.  

Hi!  I'm Jocelyn.  I blog over at We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ, where I share the many ways that I teach my children about the happiness that comes from living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.  I love how family traditions focus us on what is really important, but I also love how celebrating family traditions not only makes us feel that we belong together as a family, but that we belong to each other.

Growing up, my family celebrated with a lot of unique Christmas traditions--We always went Christmas caroling, we always opened our presents at midnight on Christmas Eve, and we always read a book called The Littlest Angel.  

Last year, to make the season special for my children, I decided to combine our love of crafting with our love for curling up together with a good book!  

I collected 24 of what I consider the best Christmas books for children and each day in December we unwrapped one book and made an ornament or a craft that corresponded to the story that we read.

Since not everyone has time to do a craft every day during Christmastime, I've put together a list of my top twelve books.  These stories really are special.  A few of them touch on the secular symbols of Christmas, but most of them testify of the real reason for the season.  

Whether you adapt this tradition with crafting galore, or if you merely read the books together, I am sharing this list with you so that hopefully you will find a few gems to add to your family's celebration of Christmas!  The list below has links to my original post with tutorials or links to how-to's for each craft as well as a link to where you can find each book online.  You can see my full book list here.  Enjoy!

And however you celebrate...Have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Book: We Were There: A Nativity Story

Craft: Wire Spiders

Book:  Who Is Coming To Our House

Craft:  Toothpick Ornaments

Book:  Santa Mouse

Craft:  Mouse

Book:  The Animals' Christmas Eve

Craft:  Manger

Book:  The Crippled Lamb

Craft:  Yarn Lamb

Book:  Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect

Craft: Craft Stick Christmas Tree

Book:  The Donkey's Dream

Craft:  Tea Bag Donkey

Book:  The Night Before Christmas

Craft: Sugarplum Ornaments

Book:  The Littlest Angel

Craft:  Paper Angels

Book:  The Gift of The Magi

Craft:  Felt Trees

Book:  Humphrey's First Christmas

Craft:  Camel

Book:  A Christmas Dress For Ellen

Craft:  Fabric Ball Ornament

Book:  The Polar Express

Craft: Bells

If you have your own favorite holiday book you read or craft you like to do during the holidays, link up here and let us in of the tradition fun!

Thanks Jocelyn! 

Jocelyn is hosting an amazing giveaway on her blog for $130 to CSN to spend on someone in need this holiday season.  Click here to hop over and find out more.  One of my favorite traditions as a child was giving a bag of toys to a family in need.  This can be one your holiday traditions too, and Jocelyn wants to help make that possible. 

Tradition on!