Monday, November 19, 2018

Book Countdown Christmas Tradition

Yes, I am going to post about Christmas! 😃I know that it isn't technically Christmas season yet and I understand that we need to enjoy and celebrate Thanksgiving first.  Got that.  And just so you know, I'm not fully ready to accept that Christmas is just around the corner either.  But one thing we must face is that if we have special holiday traditions; like matching Christmas PJs for the family, elf on the shelf, advent calendars and more, it takes a little planning and we have to sneak that planning time in somewhere, even if it means starting before Thanksgiving gets here.  Agree?  Yes!  No?  Maybe no blaring the Christmas music while you are planning, does that help?  Ha.  I love to hear how each family celebrates the beauty of the season, no matter when it starts!


What traditions do you have?  Leave a comment, would love to hear from you.


One tradition that I started with the kids years ago, was a Christmas book countdown!  My kids love books and this easily became such a fun way to celebrate the season together.  With the Christmas book countdown, different Christmas books are wrapped ahead of time.  Choose as many books, as you have days to countdown (All 24 days leading up to Christmas or 12 days, 7 days, etc) and start on your chosen date.


Each day of the countdown the kids take a turn unwrapping one book.  Once the book has been opened, sit down as a family and read the book together.  For additional fun, add some hot chocolate, marshmallows and sprinkles to the reading time. Or create a pile of blankets and pillows to curl up together, you know the kind that I'm talking about right?  Where everyone brings their own blankets and pillows from their rooms, pile them up and everyone jumps in!  Sounds cozy doesn't it!

Once we are done reading a book, we place it in a basket by the Christmas tree and the kids are welcome to pull them out and look at them or read them throughout the season.

Because I have kids in a range of ages (from 4 to 12 years old), I include some chapter books in the mix so that the older kids can read on their own as well.  When wrapping up a chapter book, I pair it with another book that we can all read together.  We typically have a wide range of books to read; fun character books to meaningful story of Christmas books, activity books and interesting flip books or touch books and board books.  We have even done the record-able books that Hallmark puts out and had the grandparents record themselves reading the book for the kids! Anything goes, really!

When Christmas is over and we are putting away our decorations, the books that have been declared favorites are kept to the side.  We bring these out at Christmas the following year and put them in our basket by the tree.  I recycle the "others" by donating them or passing them on to someone else that may be interested in the same type of activity.  Then I keep my eyes peeled throughout the year for Christmas themed books that we haven't read yet to add to the new countdown!  Super fun and meaningful for our family!


Sound like a fun tradition to add in your home?  Here are a few ideas on how to acquire books for your countdown:

*Department stores - Stores like Walmart, Dollar Tree, etc carry holiday themed books in their specialty sections.
*Specialty stores - stores like The Carpenter's Shop and Rexall Drug carry Christmas themed books.
*Thrift Stores - check stores like M&M Kidstuff and More, David's Depot and Goodwill. You may need to do a little digging but they may have some Christmas books!
*The Library - yes!  You can even utilize your library card at the library to borrow Christmas books to wrap up and use for your countdown.  Just don't forget that they do have a due date for return!
*Friends/Family - why not swap with a good friend or family!
*Scholastic Book Orders - those fun book orders that the kids come home with, where purchases you make also support the classroom, is another great way to find Christmas books.  Even if they are not in the flyer, there are many books available online. If you have an order coming up, check with your teacher, they may still come in before Christmas!
*Book Stores and Used Book Stores - look for area book stores.
*After Christmas Sales - it may be too late to utilize this option for this year, but keep in mind that some after Christmas sales offer their themed items at 75%, even 90% off!  This is a great way to plan for next year!
*Rummage Sales - again, this may not help you right now, however if you plan on doing the book countdown again next year be sure to keep an eye open at rummage sales during the warmer months and snag those books!

Don't forget to share your traditions with us!

Whatever traditions you have, whatever your plans are and whenever your celebration begins - enjoy the joyous and breathtaking season.  Enjoy the adventure!

Monday, November 12, 2018

Holiday Events & Santa Sightings

Find an ongoing list of holiday events and Santa sightings in the Yankton area!  Keep checking, as additional events will be added as we are notified.  

November 16th
Candlelight Christmas 5:30 PM
Visit Santa at 5:30, story walk, lighted vehicle parade at 7 and more in Hartington, NE.

November 23rd
Lesterville Parade of Lights - 6:30 PM
Watch the parade of lights and then join after at the Hall for hot chocolate, cookies and Santa.

November 24th
WJ Ranch Cowboy Christmas - 10 AM - 5 PM
Petting zoo, bale maze, rides starting at 1 and Santa from 1-3 and more.

November 25th
WJ Ranch Cowboy Christmas - 10 AM - 5 PM
Petting zoo, bale maze, rides starting at 1 and Santa from 1-3 and more.

November 29th
Holiday Festival of Lights Activities - 4-6 PM
Businesses in the Meridian District will be offering activities such as carriage rides, letters to Santa and more.

Holiday Festival of Lights Parade- 6 PM
Yankton's Meridian District will host a parade of lighted floats.

Vermillion Parade of Lights - 6 PM
Historic Downtown Vermillion is the backdrop for the stand-still parade of lights.

Holiday Open House - 6:45-8 PM
Vermillion Library will host photos with Santa, holiday crafts, children's choir and more.

A Prairie Christmas Live - 7:30 PM
A special Christmas show with stories and music.

November 30th
Holiday On Ice - 6:30 PM
Yankton figure skaters skate to holiday classics.

December 1st
Breakfast with Santa - 9 AM - 12 PM
French toast breakfast and pictures with Santa at St Agnes in Vermillion.

Yankton Mall Santa 10 AM - 5:30 PM
Visit Santa at the Yankton Mall and get a photo taken with him.

The Christmas Store - 1-4 PM
Children PreK-5th grade are welcome to shop for a gift for their parents at Riverview Reformed Church.

Ham Drawing & Santa 6:30 PM
Join in the ham drawing and see Santa at Beseda Hall in Tabor, SD.  Bring your cameras.

December 2nd
Crofton Santa Day 3-6:30 PM
Soup supper, Santa arrives at 4 PM, crafts, caroling and more in Crofton, NE.

December 3rd 
Gingerbread Houses TEEN Event 6:45-7:45 PM
Grades 6-12 are welcome to build gingerbread houses at the Yankton Community Library.

December 6th
Santa's Workshop 3:45-4:45 PM
Holiday themed make and take crafts at the Yankton Community Library.

Dinner & A Movie 4:30 PM
Showing Christmas with the Kranks (rated PG) and serving a Sirloin Steak dinner at The Center call 665-1055 for reservations.

December 7th
Visit Santa & Mrs Claus 6:30-8:30 PM
Don't forget to bring your camera. Each child receives a goodie bag. 1000 W 11th St, Yankton.

December 8th
Breakfast with Santa 8-10 AM
Eat free French toast sticks and visit with Santa at the Yankton Hy-Vee.

Yankton Mall Santa 10 AM - 5 PM
Visit Santa at the Yankton Mall and get a photo taken with him.

Utica Hall Bazaar 10 AM - 4 PM
Stop in and see Santa Claus and have a photo with him.

Write Letters to Santa USD Men's BB Game 1 PM
Writing letter station at the game, plus kids are invited after the game to join the layup line.

Visit Santa & Mrs Claus 6:30-8:30 PM
Don't forget to bring your camera. Each child receives a goodie bag. 1000 W 11th St, Yankton.

December 9th
Write Letters to Santa USD Women's BB Game 1 PM
Writing letter station at the game, plus kids are invited after the game to join the layup line.

Just Cuz' Does Christmas - 2-4 PM
Your favorite Christmas carols, cookies and refreshments.

Visit Santa & Mrs Claus 6:30-8:30 PM
Don't forget to bring your camera. Each child receives a goodie bag. 1000 W 11th St, Yankton.

December 14th
Visit Santa & Mrs Claus 6:30-8:30 PM
Don't forget to bring your camera. Each child receives a goodie bag. 1000 W 11th St, Yankton.

December 15th
Christmas Workshop 10 AM - 12 PM
K-6th Grade students are invited to come make gifts for their parents.

Santa Visits Rexall 1-3 PM
Stop by Yankton Rexall and visit with Santa, bring a camera for a picture.

Grand Reopening Excitement 1-4 PM
Meet Father Christmas, make and take ornaments, decorate cookies, listen to Mrs Claus read stories, visit the hall of trees and more at the Mead Cultural Education Center.

Santa for the Kids 2:30-4 PM
Visit with Santa at the Yankton VFW.

Visit Santa & Mrs Claus 6:30-8:30 PM
Don't forget to bring your camera. Each child receives a goodie bag. 1000 W 11th St, Yankton.

December 16th
Santa Visits Rexall 1-3 PM
Stop by Yankton Rexall and visit with Santa, bring a camera for a picture.

Visit Santa & Mrs Claus 6:30-8:30 PM
Don't forget to bring your camera. Each child receives a goodie bag. 1000 W 11th St, Yankton.

December 20th
The Movie The Polar Express 3:45-5:25
Join your friends at the Yankton Community Library to watch The Polar Express.

December 21st
Santa at USD Men's Basketball 7 PM
Game starts at 7 and Santa will be on hand and it's Buy 1 adult get a kid ticket free night.