O Christmas Tree!

I love Christmas! It’s my favorite time of the year. I love everything about it: the lights, the toys, the gingerbread houses, Santa Claus. But nothing says Christmas like the Christmas tree.  In my house we make a big production around erecting good ole Tannenbaum. It’s a time filled with music, laughter, hot chocolate, popcorn and the occasional sibling fight.  My fondest childhood memories are Christmases with my family around the Christmas tree.

Be sure to take your family to see the Christmas tree in Millennium Park this year. This mammoth tree is a Chicago tradition dating back almost 50 years. Up until this year the tree was located in Daley Plaza, but will now make its annual home in the iconic Millennium Park.

Whether you like a live or artificial tree, these titles are sure to rekindle memories of Christmases past and give you a start on making new family memories for years to come.

Under the Christmas Tree: A treasure trove of poems accompanied by warm paintings, this collection of gems by Nikki Grimes will be sure to warm your heart on a chilly winter day.

Christmas Tree: This simple, vibrantly illustrated book is the perfect conversation starter for toddlers. Simple words are used in short sentences to describe all of the ornaments that might adorn a tree.

The Christmas Tree Ship: This is the touching tale of a fisherman who turned his schooner into a Christmas tree ship every November and transported Christmas trees down Lake Michigan to Chicago in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

O Christmas Tree: Did you ever wonder how the Christmas tree tradition got started? You’ll find out in this informative book, chock-full of Christmas trivia nuggets.

More Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make: Step-by-step instructions for creating simple Christmas ornaments for your tree-trimming party!