A Book on Every Bed – A New Christmas Tradition

I love all things book-related. I’m an early childhood literacy advocate and a big fan of libraries. I access most of my reading materials through the Tulsa City-County Library. Since my vision has deteriorated with age, I use the Libby app and read most of my books on Kindle. However, there are some books I want or need to own. I can’t imagine a home without at least one bookshelf full of books. When I heard about the tradition of “A Book on Every Bed,” I quickly fell in love with the idea.

It’s a simple concept and one that is easily done. Trust me, I have your back. I won’t lead you into an Elf on the Shelf situation. I’m cautious about which traditions I start in my family because they quickly become part of the holiday expectations. I admit I’m more than a little commitment-phobic, but “A Book On Every Bed” is a tradition I can fully embrace.

What is A Book On Every Bed? The idea of a book on every bed originated with historian and two-time Pulitzer winner David McCollough’s childhood memories of waking up to a wrapped book on his bed every Christmas morning. Here is how it works.

1. Get a book.
2. Wrap it.
3. Place it on the bed so it’s the first thing they see on Christmas morning.

Yes, that’s it. However, adding step number four of snuggling into bed with your child and reading the book aloud might be a nice touch. The book doesn’t even need to be new. You can buy a used book, or you can give a beloved book. Think how special it would be to give your child or grandchild your most loved childhood book. It also doesn’t have to be limited to children being the only recipients. I would love to wake up to a wrapped book on my bed!

The why is probably obvious. Giving a child a book is all about spreading the love of reading and all things book-related. Giving a child a book is like giving them the key to other worlds, learning, and adventures. Books provide insight into other lives and show us possibilities we might not even know existed if we didn’t read about them. Passing on my love of reading is one of my main grandparenting goals

My parents were not readers. I never saw my mother read a book, and my father limited his reading to Popular Mechanics magazines and nightly readings from the Bible. I’m not sure why I developed such a passion for reading at an early age, but I was lucky my non-book-loving parents allowed me to buy books from the Scholastic Book Fairs. I rode my bike to the Bookmobile in the summers and devoured books greedily in-between visits. I (secretly) read at the dinner table, in bed, in trees, while sitting on my horse, and while riding in the car. Reading opened the world for me. Reading made the isolation during the pandemic tolerable and affirmed my belief that a reader is never bored and never alone.

Read to your children and grandchildren for at least 15 minutes every day. Visit your local library and take advantage of all they have to offer. Find a Little Free Library near you and leave a book and/or take a book. Forget that troublesome Elf on a Shelf and embrace the tradition of “A Book on Every Bed” for Christmas!