12 Days of Elf on the Shelf Brings Christmas Books + Activity
I am sooooo excited to share a project I have been working on the last few weeks!
My love for Christmas has always run deep. I was the one in my family growing up that NEEDED (not just wanted) but NEEDED to decorate, decorate, decorate for Christmas. I would have been that one doing it on November 1st, if they let me…
It’s just the joy that this season/holiday brings to so many that makes me gush over it. The songs, the smells, the traditions… it’s just a beautiful time of the year.
So for that reason… and because the waiting game of being on sub is ridiculously nerve-wracking, I needed to distract my mind with something I love. As a mom, one of my favorite things to do with my kids is share my love for this holiday. From “tree day” to decorating cookies to matching Christmas PJs (yes, I’m that mom), I throw it all at them! :)
So, what’s the project?
I decided to combine that Elf we love to hate, Christmas picture books, and crafts/activities associated with those books for kids into a fun-filled month of December!
With parents always having these two questions during the month of December… “WHAT TO DO WITH THIS ELF?” and “WHAT TO DO WITH THESE KIDS?!” (during school breaks), I wanted to offer some help!
When I was a Pre-K teacher, one of my FAVORITE things to do with my students was 1. read them a picture book, then 2. follow up with that picture book with some kind of craft or activity! What better way to help children remember what they just read, by doing a hands-on craft/activity? (Answer: Nothing better :)
The plan?
First. YOU DO NOT NEED ELF ON THE SHELF. If you are a parent that decided a long time ago… “I WILL NEVER DO ELF ON THE SHELF"!” Great! No worries at all. The books and the crafts alone will be great for your kiddo/s!
Second. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BUY EACH OF THESE BOOKS! I’m giving the links to buy them, in case you decide you want to up your Christmas book collection or maybe it’s a favorite you just don’t have yet. BUT getting books from your local library is also great!
Third. Some crafts may include materials you already have in your home, while others may need extra things. I will link materials I have bought and used for the crafts, but again NOT NECESSARY. For each day, I will also include a printable that will go with that book, so if you don’t have access at the time to get all the materials for the crafts, go ahead and use the printable instead.
And lastly, I combined all of these ideas to make it FUN and EASY for adults to plan out their Elf, get the kids reading some fun new picture books, and to enjoy a craft/printable together. Can you do ALL 12 days? Absolutely. Can you pick and choose based off which books/crafts you have easy access to? Of course! Can you do these WITHOUT ELF ON THE SHELF? YES!
Each post will feature a Christmas book, an activitiy to go with it, and what to do with your elf.
You also don’t need to go in my order!
Now, here is THE LIST.
The 12 Christmas picture books I will be using in the month of December. This year, I decided to go with picture books that have been published in the last 5 years, (maybe next year I will switch it up, and do more classics or a mix, we shall see), except for the last one, and you’ll see why!
Okay, okay… THE LIST:
12 Days of Elf on the Shelf
Brings Christmas Books + Activities
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
December 1st: Otto the Ornament by Troy Cummings
December 2nd: Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story by Edward Hemingway (Author, Illustrator)
December 3rd: BullDozer's Christmas Dig by Candace Fleming (Author), Eric Rohmann (Illustrator)
December 4th: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! By Mo Willems
December 5th: Murray Christmas by E. G. Keller (Author)
December 6th: Dasher by Matt Tavares (Author, Illustrator)
December 7th: Little Red Sleigh by Erin Guendelsberger (Author), Elizaveta Tretyakova (Illustrator)
December 8th: Grumpy Monkey Oh, No! Christmas by Suzanne Lang (Author), Max Lang (Illustrator)
December 9th: Last Stop of the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck (Author), Karl James Mountford (Illustrator)
December 10th: A Creature Was Stirring by Heather S. Pierczynski (Author), Skylar Hogan (Illustrator)
December 11th: I Got Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison (Author), Frank Morrison (Illustrator)
December 12th: How to Catch a Reindeer by Alice Walstead (Author), Andy Elkerton (Illustrator)
Well, there it is! 12 Christmas books filled with fun, love, humor, and magic! I hope you enjoy this list and consider purchasing and/or requesting some of these books from your library! PLEASE remember to review books as often as you can. Reviews REALLY help authors! So purchase, request and REVIEW please and thank you!!
Have a look over this list. Get the books ahead of time, and get ready to have some fun and make some magical memories with your kiddo this December!
Please leave any comments below of maybe any books you think I may have missed and I’ll add them to prospective books for next year!
Stay Tuned and Happy Holidays!
Nicole
