I recently pulled out 24 Christmas Stories I printed out many years ago. I love to read these to my children in the lead up to Christmas, and will do so again this year. The stories are gorgeous, and include 'The Little Match GIrl', 'Angel on a Doorstep' and 'The Cobbler and his Guest'. Tissues may be required for some ;D
They can be found here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/43003269/A-Story-a-Day-Until-Christmas
I do a lolly countdown too in an Advent Calendar my Mother-in-Law made, but the stories help to remind my children what Christmas is really about.
What do you do with your family at Christmas time?
