Last December at bunco, I noticed Amara had a stack of wrapped books in a basket. We learned that they were starting a tradition of opening a book every evening in December leading up to Christmas. That evening was particularly exciting because Chloe had opened the Nightmare Before Christmas and was delighted at all the spooky pictures. I became enamored with the idea of finding 24 (or more) Christmas books for us to wrap up each year and discover again in the evenings leading up to Christmas. This seemed way more appealing than cheap chocolates. I shopped after Christmas last year but had a hard time knowing what were the "good books" versus just lame stories that happened to have a Christmas tree or Santa on them to cash in. So this year post-Christmas, I asked the Facebook Hive Mind and let me tell you, you all did not disappoint! Many of the books recommended were 50% off at Barnes & Noble (plus 10% off with our membership card). I'm looking forward to reading some of these over the next week up to Twelfth Night (we spread our Christmas out, old school style) and will lovingly pack them away for December 2013.

We read Snowmen at Christmas last night and found it fitting that our last book as we were both yawning and droopy-eyed was Bear Stays Up for Christmas. I've compiled the wonderful suggestions you all had last night here for your reference and enjoyment. Feel free to comment with others that aren't on the list. Christmas is going to be awesome next year!

Hard(er) To Find Books Claude the Dog Cranberry Christmas Dance in the Desert All For the Newborn Baby The Littlest Angel The Tall Book of Christmas

Kindle Books Harold at the North Pole

Books We Found (and bought) at Barnes & Noble Bear Stays Up For Christmas The Polar Express Snowmen At Christmas The Mitten Santa Mouse The Gingerbread Pirates Snowmen at Night Llama Llama Holiday Drama

Other Books at Barnes & Noble (we were overwhelmed) Anything and every book you can find by Jann Brett Mary Englebreit's Nutcracker Carl's Christmas How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Olivia Helps with Christmas It's Christmas, David

Book I Bought A Million Years Ago And Now Have To Find Red Ranger Came Calling Books Not At Barnes & Noble But Now On Ian's Amazon Wish List Room for Little One My Penguin Osbert The Snow Queen A Bird's Christmas Carol A Pirate's 12 Days of Christmas The Clown of God The Christmas Quiet Book The Sweet Smell of Christmas The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story The Jolly Christmas Postman Merry Christmas, Curious George Santa Duck How Santa Got His Job Snow Globe Family Russell's Christmas Magic (Russell the Sheep Saves Christmas) The Velveteen Rabbit The Snowy Day