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).

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.

If you want more ideas for supporting early reading at home, our Helping Children Learn to Read guide is a great place to start.

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.

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.

If you want books that match your child’s reading level, our Book Bands guide can help.

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.

For help choosing meaningful and age‑appropriate books, take a look at our Tips on Choosing Books page.

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.

A little help from Reading Chest

Finding the right books at the right level can feel like a puzzle—especially when kids race through them. Reading Chest can take some of the pressure off by helping you keep a steady supply of book‑banded reading scheme books at home throughout the year.

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.