A few years ago, our family started a new holiday tradition that we now call Christmas Kickoff! This year marked our third annual celebration, and it’s quickly become one of our favorite ways to begin the festive season. The idea came from Everyday Reading, and I loved how it offers a chance to gather family together before the Christmas craziness sets in. It also adds an extra layer of excitement to our reading advent calendars—a tradition we enjoy every year.
We use the printable reading calendars from Everyday Reading, which you can find here. I print them through Staples using their Blueprint services, and it’s such an affordable and quick process. This year, I ordered three 18×24-inch prints for about $9, and they were ready in just a couple of hours! In previous years, I’ve gone even bigger, which the kids absolutely loved. There’s something magical about hanging up those oversized prints, marking the days, and diving into a book and activity each day. (And yes, sometimes we miss a day and double up the next—it’s all part of the fun!)
For our Christmas Kickoff, we keep things simple yet special. My sister and I team up to create a charcuterie board using whatever goodies we have on hand, and I whip up a soup and salad. This year, I made a creamy Sweet Potato Soup and paired it with a Pecan Pear Salad that featured candied pecans made with coconut sugar. Let me tell you—it was so delicious! The salad was a hit, and those sweet, crunchy pecans might just become a staple in our recipes moving forward.
Christmas Kickoff is a cherished way to connect as a family, enjoy great food, and set the tone for a season full of joy and togetherness. If you’re looking for a simple and meaningful tradition to start, I highly recommend giving this a try!
Christmas Kickoff
Ingredients
- 1 Print per child Christmas Reading Calendar see note below
- 1 set of Colored Pencils see note below
- 1 Charcuterie Board a mix of cold cuts, dried fruit, and nuts
- 1 Bowl of Sweet Potato Soup
- 1 Bowl of Pear Pecan Salad
- 1-2 Families the more the merrier
- 1 Christmas Movie The Grinch
- Endless Endless Christmas Music "Hey Google, Play Christmas Jazz Music"
- Christmas Pajamas optional
Instructions
- Order the Christmas Reading Calendars the day before.
- Invite family members to join the celebration.
- Make a comforting bowl of Sweet Potato Soup.
- Prepare a refreshing Pear Pecan Salad.
- Set up the Charcuterie Board with a variety of snacks.
- Enjoy the meal together with family while playing festive Christmas music.
- Put on The Grinch for the kids to enjoy while the parents chat.
- Give the kids their Christmas Reading Advent Calendars and colored pencils.
- Let the kids color while you prepare hot chocolate to complete the cozy atmosphere.
