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Christmas has a way of slowing us down—at least a little—and giving us more chances to curl up with our kids and a good story. It’s a brilliant time to build little traditions around reading, whether that’s a bedtime book under the fairy lights or a cosy story moment before the excitement properly kicks off.
Here are some simple, genuinely do-able ways to weave books into your family’s festive season without turning it into a project (no glue guns required). Whether you’re looking to start something new or deepen what you already do, these ideas will help keep reading alive and joyful through December and beyond.
The benefits of holiday reading traditions
Reading at Christmas does more than keep everyone entertained. It helps children stay in the habit over the school break, gives you built-in moments of calm, and creates those lovely shared memories you end up talking about for years.
- Keep the reading rhythm going: The break from school can throw routines off, but festive stories help keep things ticking along.
- Bring everyone together: A shared book is a simple way to slow down and connect.
- Build excitement: Christmas-themed reading adds to the magic in the run-up to the big day.
- Talk about values: Many stories explore kindness, generosity, and gratitude in a way that resonates with kids.
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Ideas for incorporating reading into advent
Create a reading advent calendar
A reading advent calendar is a lovely way to build anticipation:
- Wrap 24 books (they don’t need to be new!) and let your child pick one each day.
- Mix in Christmas favourites, wintery stories, and old classics.
- Set fun mini-challenges like “read under the tree” or “read in your cosiest blanket fort”.
Family Christmas story nights
A weekly festive story night gives everyone something to look forward to:
- Pick one night each week in December to read together.
- Let children choose the story (expect strong opinions).
- Add a treat or two—hot chocolate works wonders.
This activity works brilliantly as a seasonal reading challenge. Why not try our special advent-themed activity to keep the festive reading momentum going?
Advent reading challenge
A star a day keeps the reading slump away. Track your child's December reading on our Advent chart — a small ritual that makes the whole month feel a little more magical.
Goal
Build a daily reading habit through December with a simple, seasonal routine that feels like a treat rather than a task.
You'll need
- Advent Star Chart
- Christmas Colouring sheet
How to do it
Print the Advent star chart and put it somewhere your child will see it — on the fridge, bedroom door, wherever feels right. Each day they read (or give reading a go), add a star together.
The Christmas colouring sheet makes a nice add-on for a cosy session. And if you want to dangle a small prize for the end of the month, go for it — nothing big, just something to look forward to.
Keep it light. The goal is to make reading feel like part of the Christmas countdown, not another thing on the to-do list.
Grab our resources
Print our advent star chart and christmas colouring to get started.
Christmas Eve reading rituals
Christmas Eve practically begs for a quiet moment together before the big day. A story helps everyone wind down:
- Make it cosy: Fairy lights, blankets, warm drinks—done.
- Pick a favourite: “The Night Before Christmas” is a classic for a reason, but anything your child loves works.
- Chat afterwards: Talk about the message of the story and what they’re excited for tomorrow.
Reading aloud together on Christmas Eve is a perfect way to settle the excitement. Our Tips on Choosing Books page has advice on finding stories that match your child’s reading level, but for this special night, choose what feels right for your family.
If you’d like to establish this as a bedtime tradition beyond Christmas, this simple activity is a great way to make reading feel like a special part of your evening routine:
The five-minute reading habit
Five focused minutes with the right book beats an hour of reluctant page-turning. Short daily sessions are where the real progress happens.
Goal
Build confidence and fluency through short, consistent daily reading — because regularity matters more than duration.
You'll need
- A decodable book at the right level
- A comfy spot
- A bit of patience
How to do it
Sit together and read a couple of pages. Let your child point to each word as they sound it out. If they get stuck, give them a moment before you step in — sometimes they just need a second.
When they do need help, try: "Say the sounds, then blend" rather than just saying the word for them. Keep the session upbeat. End it before anyone gets tired.
Five minutes every day adds up to over 30 hours of reading practice in a year. That's not nothing — that's everything. The habit matters more than the duration.
Grab our resources
Our handy star charts are the perfect way to track your daily progress as you tick off those five minute reads!
How reading can teach holiday values
Books are a gentle way to explore the themes of the season:
- Stories about giving and kindness help children understand generosity in action.
- Books about celebrations around the world open up conversations about different traditions.
- Moral-centred tales naturally spark chats about gratitude and compassion.
These conversations happen naturally when you read together, and children often remember the lessons long after the decorations come down.
How to maintain the reading habit
Once the decorations come down, you can keep the reading momentum going with a few simple habits:
- Encourage your child to set a small reading goal for January.
- Switch between festive books and fresh themes to keep things interesting.
- Try keeping a small stack of “special picks” somewhere easy for them to reach.
- Browse our books collection by book band to find stories that match your child’s current level.
The habits you build now often stick around far longer than the tinsel.
Frequently asked questions
What is an advent reading calendar?
An advent reading calendar is a festive twist on a traditional advent calendar, where instead of chocolates or small toys, you wrap 24 children’s books and let your child unwrap one each day in the run-up to Christmas. It’s a wonderful way to build anticipation and keep reading at the heart of your December celebrations.
What are good Christmas books for young children?
Look for festive picture books with bright illustrations and simple, joyful stories—classics like “The Jolly Christmas Postman” or “Stick Man” work brilliantly. Our book collection is searchable by reading level, so you can find age-appropriate Christmas stories that match your child’s ability.
How do I keep my child reading over the Christmas holidays?
Make reading feel like a treat rather than a task. Build it into special moments—bedtime, after breakfast, or a cosy afternoon. Let your child help choose books, celebrate their progress, and keep it low-pressure. A reading advent calendar or weekly story night is a fun way to keep the habit alive without it feeling like schoolwork.
When should children stop reading over Christmas?
There’s no need to stop reading at Christmas—in fact, holidays are a brilliant time to keep reading alive. Reading doesn’t have to feel like formal “learning”—it can simply be part of your cosy family time. If your child is tired of structured reading practice, switch to read-alouds or books they’ve chosen purely for fun.
Christmas reading traditions don’t need to be elaborate—they just need to be yours. Whether you pick up a story every night or save it for Christmas Eve, those small moments help build a lifelong love of books.
