The Book on the Bed Christmas Tradition
I don’t think there’s a Keigley gene for Early Rising.
Sure, as very newborn humans the kids woke up early – but 3 a.m. isn’t actually early. It’s more like – late. Or middle of the night.
My dad was an extremely early riser. Despite his hopes and his best efforts, the habit has never actually rubbed off on me.
And not on my children either.
I have friends whose non-baby children routinely awake at o’dark thirty, full of energy and go-get-em.
I pity those parents.
(Just kidding. They all seem happy about sunrises. Good for them.)
The kids in my house are mostly late sleepers and quiet awakers.
Hooray for me.
And, truly, Christmas morning is generally more of the same.
(I bet you were wondering where this ramble was heading. It’s heading this way. I’ll show you. I start my posts like I start my mornings – slow.)
I have never had a Christmas morning with children bouncing into the bed at 4 a.m. nor have I heard secret unwrapping sounds at 6 a.m.
However.
Since early on I was not certain how the Christmas mornings would find our children, I had prepared an idea to battle the potential Too Early Christmas Morning Woes.
This tradition began when Riley was small – and it’s been a steady family favorite since then. From London on down, there has never been a Christmas without this tradition. (Even Christmas mornings on the road – this has been one easy tradition to take along with us.)
While the kids are sleeping on Christmas Eve, I sneak to their rooms and place a wrapped book on the foot of their beds.
In the morning, when their golden slumber ceases, they open their eyes, spy the book and are allowed to open it all alone in their cozy warmth and to enjoy its treasure.
It’s been a sweet way to encourage a quiet beginning to the Christmas holiday. It’s a lovely way to ensure that the gift of a book doesn’t lose its value underneath shinier and louder options. It creates an environment that says words have value and reading is special.
I love picking their books each year. I always include an inscription and the date on the inside front cover.
This year Mosely is really into Nancy Drew. I remember the year four-year-old Hawkeye received his own copy of Stellaluna after checking it out at the library weekly for the better part of a year. There have been cookbooks and comic books. Slow building collections of their own Lord of the Rings copies. A beautifully illustrated Hobbit. The kids have pored over treasured Calvin and Hobbes books for years.
I hope the Book on the Bed tradition is one our children will cherish and remember fondly – and even – find themselves sharing one day with their own children.
9 Comments
kimmie
What a wonderful idea this would have been in our house full of readers ; ) Too bad my boys are all grown up and out on their own. But, hope springs eternal for some-day grandchildren. I will be the book granny who sends the book for the foot of the bed. Thanks for your thoughtful idea!
laceykeigley
The Book Grannie is a good grannie to be.
And even grown up boys can receive a book – even if it isn’t on their bed. 🙂
Chelsea
I love this!
You know I have early risers. It feels like a slow morning when any of them make it past seven. And I can’t really say I enjoy that. I thought I was a morning person until my mornings became saddled with responsibility so early. 🙂
We get our children three gifts at Christmas. Traditionally it has been something to read, something to play with, and something handmade. This year, though, it has been altered to two something’s to read and no handmade item. As the kids are getting older, they enjoy creating so much so I’m hoping to spend our days off of school creating together (particularly gifts for each other). This is the first year that Jackson is a comfortable, somewhat confident reader, and the first year that Sullivan is reading independently. It seemed the perfect time To encourage their love for reading. But I love your idea! Also, I would love to read Pioneer Girl. I think. I’m a bit afraid of some of the darker truths. Let me know what you think when you have the chance to read it.
laceykeigley
Chelsea – I’m with you on the Pioneer Girl book — I feel very cautious. I am quite attached to the Laura Ingalls of her own memory. But – based on Jo’s reading of reviews (haha) I think you and I will both walk away satisfied. We’ll see.
Natalie
This is a grand idea! And this book..Pioneer Girl…I must read it. Perhaps my mom will leave it by my bed on Christmas Eve 🙂
laceykeigley
Be sure your mom knows your book list! 🙂
Marie from Germany
Dear Lacey, i just fell in love with this family tradition. It is beautiful. And in some way poetic – by giving a book a very great value 🙂
I really love the idea to open it in bed in the morning – in Germany gifts are exchanged on Dec 24th -usually in the evening and at night (depending how many people are involved) 😉 I might try your tradition in my family this year 🙂
Love and hugs!
laceykeigley
Always a treat to see your name pop up Marie!
December 24th – eh? What do you guy son Dec. 25?
Marie from Germany
We exchange gifts on Dec 24.
We eat, play with the gifts, eat, play, eat, rest and eat on Dec 25. 😉
Same on Dec 26 😀