A Joy Filled Home

By Nicole VanGelder

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas:

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Mother’s Day is perhaps a little bit different in our home than in others because of the nature of our profession. Being pastors, Sunday is a work day for us! While various kids do always make me breakfast in bed, it isn’t really possible to have a lazy morning or relaxing day off which, to be honest, has always seemed my ideal way to celebrate. (At our own private ocean front beach, which is equally difficult being as we live in MN. And aren’t millionaires.)😉🤣The good news is that I don’t actually need any of those things to feel cared about by my family. I do however like to feel appreciated on this day! 

I don’t know what your ideal day looks like or how likely it is to occur. The way people celebrate Mother’s Day varies as widely as the circumstances and personalities of families. There is one suggestion I have for everyone however, and it is to thoughtfully acknowledge the important mothers in your life in some way. I will share some practical suggestions below, but I ask you to keep in mind that the amount of money you spend pales in comparison with sincere & thoughtful care. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. 

Also, an important note for moms: If you have expectations for this day, please express them to those who you are expecting to fulfill them! I know this might feel awkward. I also know it is tempting to think that if you have to express it, it somehow takes away from the specialness of it. This is a trap! The truth is that your hopes may or may not be able to come to pass. But, if they are unknown, then it will be almost impossible for the people in your life to bring them about & you will all end up disappointed & disconnected. Instead, have a conversation & set expectations for the day before it comes about. 

Some practical ideas: 

Words of Appreciation — A few simple, sincere words of appreciation come with little cost and can have great impact! I encourage everyone to practice this for the mothers in their lives! You can do this through a variety of ways: a card, a simple handwritten note, a video recording, etc. I encourage you to express your own thankfulness & then also to help the kids to do so also!

Breakfast in Bed — I would add to this a day of pampering as much as possible! Don’t stop at breakfast! Also, and this is key: Do the dishes after! (Also, the breakfast can be simple. The key is that it is made in love!) 

Coupon Book —. I know these are cheesy. But, they are also fabulous if you include thoughtful coupons for connection & some quiet time / pampering for her!

Devotional Book — A devotional can be very helpful for a mom that doesn’t have a lot of time to spend alone with her Bible! The bite sized chunks can inspire and encourage her on days when she doesn’t have time or capacity for anything more. (I love “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. There is a paperback copy available for less than $10. But, there are many good ones out there.)

A “Best Mom Ever” Mug — I love coffee and I love mugs. But, I underestimated how special it would be when a couple of my girls used their own money to buy me one of these. It warms my heart each time I use it. 

A Family Fun Day — Treat your wife & whole family to a “family fun day”. This can take place right in your home or you might want to get out of the house for the day. 

Note: If Mother’s Day itself is too hectic, plan it for another day! For several years we went to the Zoo in the afternoon with my parents and extended family. The amount of crying kids and stressed out parents was always remarkable to me. Don’t allow the pressure of the day to force an activity that isn’t enjoyable for anyone! So, if Mother’s Day isn’t a good day, instead plan something for another day! Also, make sure to think through what kind of activities she enjoys! This could be a day outside in the local area — Como Zoo, Minnehaha, the Lock & Dams, etc. if you are here in the Twin Cities. Or, it could be a day shopping. Perhaps you stay home and play some games / watch a movie. Or, if you have the time & budget you could do a longer day or even night away & head up to Duluth or someplace within a day’s drive. And so on.

Flowers — Not all women appreciate flowers, but for those that do, a beautiful arrangement brings a pop of joy into your home (& heart!). Bonus if it is something that lasts.

Clothes/Accessories — Each mom has a different style & this may or may not be her jam. I love it. The jewelry my husband has given me for various occasions over the years will always be treasured. As will the pieces I have that my kids picked out for me—especially the ones they paid for themselves. (They may tarnish over time, but they have left permanent sparkle in my heart!)  The point is something pretty that makes you feel good to wear / use. As a bonus look at Trades of Hope or similar companies that empower women & do good while providing quality goods! 

Gift Card — Giving a mom a gift card allows her to shop guilt free. As a bonus, watch the kids while she has a couple hours to herself to shop!

Nespresso Coffee Maker — A gift that can be enjoyed each day. Note: Consider how the pods will add to your coffee budget. You could also invest in other drip coffee makers, an Aeropress, a French Press, a Pour Over, etc. I love my morning coffee time with my husband, its one of my favorite parts of each day! So, maybe along with this start a morning ritual of a few quiet moments with coffee together. 

Massage / Salon Visit — A massage can be quite a gift for a tired mama. Or a fresh hair cut, and/or color. This gift is about pampering her with some relaxing, quiet time while she is being cared for. 

iFIT Bike — This is a very costly purchase & it may be tricky to gift in a way that doesn’t say “Hey, it seems like you could use more exercise.” But, I LOVE my bike! I get to have some time just me on the bike, virtually experiencing some of my favorite places. Recently I’ve been biking through Hawaii & Moab, UT. Both places I love. Before that it was Italy (which is now on my bucket list for travel). You get the point. On top of that, it is good for me & that feels good, too. 

I hope these help to spark some ideas for you. No matter how you celebrate, I hope you have a very special day!

Happy May Flower Activity!

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May is here & hopefully with it will be flowers & sunshine!

Here is a simple craft that my daughter helped me to put together for a curriculum I created that goes along with this theme that you & your kiddos can have fun doing together. See example below. To make, simply use the templates provided to print & color as many flowers as you would like. Cut the flowers and leaves out then attach them to straws or pencils to act as the stems. Color the pot template provided, cut it out & attach it with glue or staples to another piece of paper to create a pot that opens at the top. Put the flowers into the pot and create a beautiful bouquet.

Supplies needed: crayons, paper, straw or pencil, printed templates (see below), glue/staples, scissors.

I hope you enjoy!

Flower Pot Activity Sheet

Flower Pot Activity Flowers

flower in pot craft

flower in pot craft 1

Family Easter Week Bible Readings & Activities

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Dear Friends,

I hope that this Easter week is a special one, and that these days leading up to Resurrection Sunday are filled with a renewed wonder at just how good the Lord really is!

During 2020, I put together some simple devotionals for families of our church to do together in the days leading up to Easter. (Note: They do not cover, or even attempt to cover, all of the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus.) They are simple but I hope your family enjoys them together! (Don’t feel pressured to do them all! Instead, pick and choose what best fits your family and the time you have.)

READING ONE:

Read: Mark 11:15-18

Note: This reading can be startling because it seems to be a moment of uncontrolled anger. However, Jesus may have been angry, but He hadn’t lost His temper! He had already been in Jerusalem and knew what was happening. When He took this action He did so because He was seeking to protect people from the exploitation of the religious leaders. His desire is, and always has always been, to remove the obstacles that separate people from entering into true worship and prayer–and true relationship with His Father. So, the best way to apply this reading may be to simply ask the question if there is anything that is getting in the way of your family (together or individually) spending time in connection with the Lord. If there is, remove whatever the obstacle is! (I suggest not using the same methods Jesus used in this passage though!) 😉 Then, commit to spending a short time together in prayer each day this week.

Optional Activities: 

1. In the days of Jesus, the temple played an important part of worship for the Jewish people. Today, we have the joy of being able to worship Jesus in a different way.  So, throw a family worship party! Some suggestions: put on some music and dance before the Lord; try painting or drawing as an act of worship; praise the Lord with your words during a time of prayer, etc.

2. Do some coin rubbings. This is a simple activity that you should have all the supplies for easily on hand. Find a variety of coins, some paper, and some crayons or pencils. Put the coins under the paper and rub the crayons back and forth over it until the image of the coin appears. As you do this, ask your kids why they think Jesus was so angry and the moneychangers. (They were exploiting people and interfering with their ability to worship God. They were being greedy. They were misusing God’s House.)

3. Look up the what the temple looked like in the day of Jesus. (You should be able to find this with a simple internet search.)

4. And, just for some fun that isn’t directly related to the lesson:Here is a Paper Doll Coloring Page created by my daughter, Eliana. Color, cut out, and have fun getting her dressed up for Easter!

READING TWO:

Read Mark 11:20-26

Discussion Questions:

1.  What does Jesus command in this passage? (To have faith in God.)

2.  According to this passage, what is the result? (That you will be able to pray without doubt.)

3.  This passage also talks about forgiveness. How important is it to forgive?

4.  How do you think faith is connected to forgiveness? (For example: we receive forgiveness through faith. Since we have received such great forgiveness for the Lord, how could we not forgive others?)

6.  Can you think of a time you were forgiven by someone? Or, can you think of a time when you’ve had to forgive someone? How did it feel?

*This would be a perfect opportunity to take some time to release forgiveness over others as needed, as well as to receive forgiveness.

Optional Activities:

1. Taste test: Find an assortment of both sweet and bitter foods to taste test. Have some fun tasting them, and point out that not only do we need to forgive because the Lord commands it, but unforgiveness is bitter. It will make us sick if it stays inside of us too long. But, giving forgiveness freely is sweet. To take this lesson a little further, have fun making some spring themed sugar cookies.

2.  Prayers of Faith: Find a jar or a box and some notecards or small pieces of paper. Have each person write down a prayer request that they have. (They don’t need to share it with anyone else.) As a family, prayer over the requests. Keep the jar over the next year & whenever a prayer is answered, make sure to keep track of that, too!

3.  Here is a fun Bunny Coloring Page. Do your best to find the five eggs that are hidden in it!

READING THREE: 

Read Mark 12:41-44. 

This time of year, when we remember all that Jesus has given to us, it is important to take some time to consider our attitude in return. After all, how can we, who have received so much, not be generous in response?

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your most valuable possession? Is it easy or difficult to share? How about your favorite dessert? Is that easy or hard to share? What is something you have a difficult time sharing?

2. Is it easier to share with your friends than with a stranger? Why/why not?

3. The Lord is very generous with His kids. Why do you think that is?

4. What might make it easier for you to share with others?

5. What is something of value that you can offer God?

Optional Activities:

1. Brainstorm ways your family can practice generosity towards others. Then make a plan for putting one or two of those ideas into practice.

2.  Practice Secret Generosity. Over the rest of this week, each person in your family should look for ways to be secretly kind and generous to one another. Then, at the end of the week, talk about the experience. Even without sharing specifics (although that is okay, too), discuss the impact on your home. How did it feel to do kind things for others? Was there a difference in the atmosphere in your home? Encourage your family to make this a normal practice.

3.  Spend some time in prayer thanking the Lord for His generosity towards you. Be specific. Make a list and post it someplace you can see it to remind yourself everyday to be thankful.

4.  Make one of the favorite desserts mentioned during the discussion questions as a special treat. Make an extra to deliver (while keeping your distance!) to a neighbor or friend.

READING FOUR:

Read John 13-14. 

Note: If you have smaller children, you may want to only read John 13:1-30. After you read through the last supper that Jesus had with His disciples, the best activity I can suggest is to actually take communion as a family. Click here to watch a video to help walk you through this process, then gather the needed elements (and your family!) and do as Jesus commanded.

READING FIVE:

Read John 20-21

The reading today is all about the resurrection of Jesus! If your children have never prayed to receive Christ, this is the perfect opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with therm. After today’s reading, simply ask your children if they understand why the death and resurrection of Jesus is so important. Explain that because Jesus died and rose again, those who believe in Him and receive Him as their Savior have the opportunity to live with Him forever in heaven someday, and also walk with Him here on earth!  You can ask if they have ever asked Jesus into their hearts / if they have ever accepted Jesus death and resurrection as payment for their sins and made Him their personal Lord and Savior. If they haven’t, and would like to, simply lead them in a prayer like this: “Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross as payment for my sins. I believe in you and receive you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for coming into my heart and giving me life now and in eternity. Help me to walk with you and learn your ways. Amen.” If your children pray this prayer, make sure to celebrate big!

Optional Activities:

1. Jesus is ALIVE! So, celebrate with a time of prayer/worship. Thank Jesus for the cross and all that He has brought into your lives. Let the joy of that fill your hearts and homes with excitement as you celebrate together.

2. Here are some coloring sheets of the cross (from which Jesus has risen!!) Cross_Coloring_Page  Cross_Coloring_Page 2
Cross_Coloring_Page 3

3. Play pin the tail on the bunny. Here is a template to use: Pin_The_Tail_On_The_Bunny_ 2.

4. Celebrate the empty tomb! First, colorJesus’s_Tomb. Then, color and cut out Jesus’s_Tomb 2 (including the “arm”). Finally, cut on the dotted line on the coloring page and slide the “arm” of the rock into the slit on the coloring page. Now you can open the tomb and celebrate that it is empty!

5. Color the Easter Eggs: Easter_Egg Coloring Sheet 1  Easter_Eggs 2  Easter_Eggs 3

St. Patrick’s Day Fun

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St. Patrick’s Day is a great opportunity to shake up your homeschool routine a little, or just to have some fun celebrating the day with special family time outside of school hours. Following are a few of the ideas we have had fun with over the years. Enjoy! 

Media Recommendations:

Adventures in Odyssey does a great two part series that shares the life story of Maewyn Succat, the boy who we know as St.Patrick. You can find it here: 

https://www.adventuresinodyssey.com/episodes/394-saint-patrick-a-heart-a-fire-1-of-2/

VeggieTales does their own charming version of telling the story of “pig boy” aka: St.Patrick. You can find it here:

https://youtu.be/gBhG-7pj43E 

Writing Prompts:

Choose a writing prompt and give your kids 5-15 minutes (depending on the prompt you choose, plus their age and ability level) to write about it. Then have everyone share what they came up with. 

  1. The day started like any other, at least that is what you thought as you got out of bed & made your way down to the breakfast table. You didn’t pay much attention to the startled gasps in the room until your mom said, “Very funny. You turned yourself green for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s time to get ready for school though, so eat your breakfast & wash it off quickly.” Green? What is she talking about? Then you realize the hand holding your spoon is, in fact, green! Write about what happens next.
  2. Do you believe in luck? Why or why not?
  3. St. Patrick was a remarkable man. Although he was English by birth, he will forever be associated with Ireland because his faith in Jesus impacted that nation so dramatically. What country, culture, or area of society would you like to impact with your life and faith? Why? Brainstorm some ways this could happen. 
  4. Brainstorm an entire’s day worth of meals using only green foods. What would your menu include?
  5. Blinking, you rub your eyes in bewilderment. Yup, its still there. Quickly you close your eyes and then cautiously peek at the scene in front of you. “I must be asleep,” you think. “That has to be it.” You try to jolt yourself awake, but as you are doing so, you feel a tug on your pants. Startled you catch yourself just in time, before you kick what appears to be a quite real Leprechaun. You take the scene in—rainbow, Leprechaun, pot o’gold…wait, that’s not gold!

Easy Crafts:

  1. Color the provided three or four leaf clover coloring sheets. (You might want to add some extra sparkle with green glitter.)
    1. Three_Leaf_Clover_
    2. Four Leaf Clover
  2. Make a rainbow. Cut a paper plate in half & paint a rainbow on it. You can add streamers or yarn in matching colors by gluing them along then edges if you’d like to make it extra special. 
  3. Make a Clover “Suncatcher”:
    1. “Paint” glue on a piece of wax paper. Then put small pieces of different shades of green tissue paper onto the painted area. After it dries, peel the wax paper off & cut into the shape of a clover using the coloring pages provided above as a template. (You can keep the wax paper attached if it isn’t able to be removed easily.) Then tape to a window or use a hole punch and thread to create a way to hang it. 
    2. Put several shades of green crayon shavings between two pieces of wax paper. Then use an iron or hair dryer to melt the crayon shavings. Once it has cooled down, cut into the shape of a clover using the coloring pages above as a template. You may want to line the edges with a construction paper “frame”, but this step isn’t necessary. Then, hang in your window and enjoy!

Easy Green Treats:

  1. Make green rice cereal treats. Simply follow the directions to make rice cereal treats, adding in green food to the melted marshmallows. Let your kids have fun & do their best to craft a clover shape out of a small portion of it. Then, let them enjoy their treat! 
  2. Staying with the green theme, but straying from St. Patricks a bit: Read Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss. Then enjoy some green eggs & ham by simply adding some green food coloring, or a green veggie like spinach to the eggs as you scramble them. (A purée of green veggies works especially well.) If you’d like, you can make your ham green too. But, it also works to dice some ham and simply add it to your green eggs. 

12 Days of Christmas Family Fun–Christmas Minnie/Mickey Oreos

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Christmas Oreos2

 

 

 

 

 

Our family loves Disney World. We have a dream of someday experiencing it during the Christmas Season. In the meantime, we have fun with Disney inspired Christmas Fun like these Minnie/Mickey Oreos.

Ingredients

  • Double Stuf Oreos
  • Mini Oreos
  • White Frosting
  • Red Candy Melt
  • Candy Bows (found on Amazon or specialty stores)
  • Sprinkles / Other Christmas Decorations

Instructions

  • Open and remove the middle from a handful of mini Oreos (or, open them and eat the half that has filling and save the other side for use)
  • Then put the plain mini cookie inside the top of the of a double stuff Oreo to make ears. You can use frosting as “glue” to help secure the ears if you would like.
  • Melt the candy melt as directed so it is ready for use.
  • Dip one half of your Minnie or Mickey (the Double Stuff with the ears attached) into the melted candy. I recommend using wax paper to create a place for the dipped cookie to dry/harden. 
  • If you are making Minnie, add a candy bow by “gluing” it on with the frosting. Decorate with sprinkles and other decorations of your choice. 

Note: These were not originally my idea. I saw them somewhere (I think on-line) years ago. 

12 Days of Family Fun — Complete List

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Christmas is almost here! But, it isn’t too late to create some special family time before it comes. No matter if you use the ideas below or find some of your own, I highly encourage you to take the time to do so. You will find your heart more connected to each other and the season, if you do! Note: More info on some of these can be found on our social media accounts. 

Day One: Watch Klaus with Carmel Puffcorn 

Find the list of other recommended Christmas movies here. 

Caramel Puffcorn recipe can be found on our Instagram Stories here. 

Day Two: Secret Santa (more info here)

This is something our kids do each year, but you could do it with a group of friends, extended family, etc. You can do it ahead of time & exchange gifts on Christmas, or you can do a fun shopping trip together: Everyone splits up & looks for a gift within a specific price range. You meet back together (at a restaurant to share a meal, if possible!) and exchange gifts.

Day Three: Homeschool Activities 

Learn how other countries celebrate Christmas, do a creative writing assignment, and more ideas can be found here. 

Day Four: Practice Generosity (find out more here)

There are many ways to practice generosity over the holidays: both by giving to organizations that help others & by giving to those around you as opportunity arises. And, generosity doesn’t have to be reserved for only those “in need”. Everyone benefits from kindness! It is also important to develop the habit of generosity all year long. However, some simple ideas that you still have time to do this year: donate (good food!) to a local food shelf; make a special treat & deliver it to your neighbors; call a local nursing home or hospital & find out if there is something you can contribute (covid restrictions have changed what is possible in some situations); and/or contribute financially to an organization that provides a Christmas meal to those who woolen’t otherwise have one (one option in the twin cities is Union Gospel Mission—www.ugmtc.org). 

Day Five: Make a Gingerbread House

At one time, I made a homemade Gingerbread train that had train cars that could be filled with treats. It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. And, honestly, it was not the easiest project for our kids to help with. So, when my husband had the brilliant idea to buy one of those kits that had everything you needed for a gingerbread house, ready for you to assemble ti, I only pushed back a little. And in the ensuing years it has become a special tradition—that is relaxing & fun!—that our kids look forward to. You can buy kits at most grocery & “big box” stores.

Day Six: Make Mickey & Minnie Christmas Oreos

Christmas Oreos2

christmas oreos

 

 

 

 

Find instructions here.

Day Seven: Make/Decorate a Felt Tree

For younger kids especially, it can be a lot of fun to decorate a large felt tree. These are available for sale on-line. However, another option that can be fun for older kids too is to create your own. Simply buy felt in green & brown to make a felt tree out of, plus other colors to create ornaments. Begin by cutting the green felt into a tree form (this can be as simple as a triange, if you’d like) then add a small square of brown on the bottom to be the stump. (I recommend using “Tacky Glue” or hot glue for this part.) Kids can then create ornaments for the tree with the remaining felt. While you can use velcro to secure the ornaments to the tree, it is not really necessary as the felt will stick together even without that pretty well. 

Day Eight: Grab some hot chocolate & go see some lights.

There is something so special about seeing houses, etc. all dressed up for Christmas. So, wait for it to get dark & go out as a family to see them. You can even have kids in pjs & all snuggled up & ready for bed upon your return. Doing it past bedtime helps to make it feel extra special, but since it gets dark so early in the winter, you can do it fairly early if you prefer. It is also fun to bring some hot chocolate along for the experience, too. Note: Often social media like the Nextdoor App will have recommendations for where to go and see lights in your area. 

Day Nine: Make Christmas Pancakes

Reindeer Pancake

Santa Panckae

Snowman Pancake

 

 

 

 

Using ingredients like pancakes, whip cream, chocolate chips, and fruit like strawberries you can make special Christmas themed pancakes. See pictures for examples of ones we’ve done. I highly recommend making homemade buttermilk pancakes to use for extra deliciousness, but it is not necessary. Note: I got this & the Minnie/Mickey Oreos ideas years ago on-line, but no longer know where the original ideas came from. 

 Day Ten: Christmas Shopping — with some extra blingChristmas Bling

Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be a chore. Make it fun! Add some extra bling and fun to keep the spirits light. On top of actual bling (see pics) you can make this time special by stopping for lunch out or a special treat. You could also create a scavenger hunt of sorts, keeping your eyes open to see how many Christmas sweaters you can find, which store has the longest line, the most packages you see someone carrying, etc. Small things can help you remain present in the moment and add special fun to you time.

Day Eleven: Read a Special Book

There are a lot of fun Christmas Themed books & many are available at your local library. But, a few that are more difficult to find there include: 

  • Red Ranger Came Calling by:Berkeley Breathed
  • Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo
  • Jacob’s Gift by Max Lucado
  • Santa’s Sleigh is on its way to MN by Eric James
  • Olaf’s Night Before Christmas by Disney Press
  • The Three Gifts of Christmas by Jennie Bishop

Day Twelve: Read the Christmas Story as a Family

No matter when or how (or what version you use), take the time to read the Christmas Story as a family. Yes, it is a familiar story. Yes, it might feel awkward if you haven’t done it before. Yes, the kids might get antsy. But, it will be worth it! Taking the time to remember & treasure the first Christmas—and invite Jesus to be a part of this Christmas—is invaluable. I recommend reading the account found in the Luke: 1:26-38 & 2:1-20. (The account of the Magi or wise men is found in Matthew 2, if you would like to include that.) 

12 Days of Christmas Family Fun: Giving

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I used to be concerned with how much stuff my kids would accumulate over Christmas. The problem (in my eyes) was that their grandparents spoiled them! And, Jamey & I wanted in on the fun of giving gifts, too! By the time Christmas was over, the amount of gifts was quite staggering. How could I ever raise kids that are generous, thankful and good stewards of what they have been given in circumstances like these?

I do think these are important values to raise my kids with. But, over time, I have realized that my concerns are misplaced. I wanted to limit something in order for something else to grow. And that isn’t how it works. No matter what your circumstances—plenty or want, good times or bad—you need to purposely cultivate the character you would like to produce. And a good place to start is by cultivating it in your life, too! That way you and your family are on the journey together. And at the end of it there will be authentic, tangible results. 

At Christmas—and all the time—it is important to cultivate generosity towards others! This included people both inside and outside of your home. It encompasses finances, certainly. But, it also is much bigger. It is about respect and kindness, humility and thankfulness. There are so many things to be said on this topic! But, for the sake of this short blog, I will only be concentrating on a couple practical things that are mainly financial in nature. Please know that generosity in finances is important, but (in my opinion) it is possible to give financially without actually being generous of heart, which misses much of the point. Cultivating a generous and kind heart in ourselves and our children is a lifelong mission, not just a Christmas time activity. 

With that said, here are some practical ways to practice generosity: 

  1. Teach your kids to share.

Obviously, I know. But, this is a skill that needs to be developed. It is not always easy to share! It is not particularly easy to share the things most precious to us or when things are demanded of us. Teaching our kids to share and be generous even when they don’t feel like it, is important. (This extends beyond sharing stuff into sharing time, skill, care, etc.)

  1. Don’t be concerned with “fair”.

We tell our children that we aren’t concerned about life being fair and they shouldn’t be either. Instead, we will treat everyone well. It isn’t possible to do both because inevitably what is good for one child isn’t for another. Opportunities are are not always equal or controllable. So, instead of worrying about fair—how many gifts each child gets, for example—we will do our best to treat everyone well. 

  1. Give “as you go” / when the opportunity presents itself. 

We make it a habit to keep money, gift cards, necessities with us as we go places and as we see people in need, we freely give it. If possible we pray with the person or offer a kind word as well, but no matter what it is important to treat people with value! There is no need for judgement and kindness is the rule. This also shouldn’t be treated as a big deal, either. It is simply treating others the way we want to be treated. 

  1. Give gifts of love. 

These can be small. They don’t need to be expensive. They can be handmade—treats, cards, pictures, etc. Several times around different holidays the kids and I have put together small care packages for friends and neighbors. Sometimes it is a homemade treat. Other times it is small gifts we have purchased (a favorite card game, for example). Every time it is planned and prepared with love. A token to say, “We are thankful for you! Thank you for being in our lives.” We drive around and deliver them, usually as a surprise, and it is so much fun for all of us!

  1. Give intentionally to causes & organizations you care about. 

There are so many options out there that it can be overwhelming! But, the good news is that there are a lot of great options—from large organizations (like charitywater) to small single person run businesses (like Red Moon Weaving), you don’t need to have a large budget to contribute in significant ways. We give our kids the opportunity to give, but even when they are unable to contribute financially, I occasionally mention different organizations we support financially so that our children a) feel like they are a part of it (because they are!) and, b) as a part of helping our kids learn healthy financial habits. 

No matter your philosophy around gifts this Christmas, generosity is important all year long. Blessings to you and your family as you practice it together!

Christmas Homeschool Ideas

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Christmas is full of amazing possibilities for homeschool. Since we are less than two weeks out, however, I imagine that you (like me) are looking for easy ideas that don’t require a lot of preparation. The good news is that the internet is full of resources to help! So, I will do my best to share a few of them here, along with a little of what our family has done in the past. 

First of all, one of my favorite units to do in the week(s) leading up to Christmas is to explore what Christmas looks like in different places.ornaments pic This can be as simple or elaborate as you would like it to be. There have been years that we have spent weeks on this: the older kids research the traditions and celebrations in other countries, present what they have learned (which I supplement as I am able with videos, additional information, etc.) and then we do some of the activities. We have created beautiful ornaments (seen in the pic at the right), eaten yummy food, and had a lot of fun doing this together. Unfortunately, while years ago I discovered a website that had great resources for a unit like this, it is no longer available on-line. The good news is that there are many other options easily available (both free & those with a cost). Here are a few I found with a quick search:

I also recommend looking at your local library for free resources!

A variation of the above idea is to learn about how Christmas was celebrated in history or in different regions of America. 

Other Ideas:

There are also many coloring sheets, word finds, crossword puzzles, and more for you to discover! Even a quick search can help you to find some resources to make the week(s) before Christmas special. One other activity I love is to do a few different writing prompts for creative writing. 

Writing Prompts: 

  • Write about your favorite Christmas time traditions
  • What is the favorite gift you have ever given to someone? What is the favorite gift you have received?
  • Imagine what the first Christmas would have been like. Describe it. 
  • Write the synopsis for a new Christmas movie. 

Story Starters:

  • “The elves were all hard at work in the workshop with last minute Christmas preparations, when suddenly a loud noise startled them…”
  • “We were all excited when it started to snow on Christmas! But, when New Year’s came and it was still snowing…”
  • “Our family was just about to sit down to Christmas dinner when our door opened and in burst a family we had never seen before. ’Hello! We’re here! Merry Christmas!’they greeted us warmly, as they took their jackets off, put down packages, and started to make themselves at home…”
  • “It was a night like all others. I was out with the sheep, keeping watch. I was feeling a little sleepy, actually. Then, suddenly…”

If you’d like, you can use the following pages for Christmas themed stories. There is also one that can be used to make a Christmas acrostic poem. 

Christmas Acrostic

Nativity Writing Paper

Reindeer Writing Paper

Snowman Writing Paper

Tree Writing Paper

There are so many more possibilities, but I hope this sparks some fun ideas for you and your kids. Christmas is a special time, so no matter what you end up doing in the days leading up to it, I hope it is filled with joy, connection, and peace!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Movie Favorites

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Movies add a lot of Christmas cheer around our home. Some we gather everyone together to watch (sometimes with a special treat), others we simply play in the background as we cook, etc. Either way, they feel like familiar friends we see around Christmas & the Holidays just don’t  seem complete without them. Here’s our list (with our favorites in bold):

For younger kids:

Once  Upon a Christmas (Mickey Mouse)

Twice Upon a Christmas (Mickey Mouse)

The Toy That Saved Christmas

The Star of Christmas

Merry Larry & the True Light of Christmas

Saint Nicholas – A Story of Joyful Giving

Family Movies:

Charlie Brown Christmas

The Grinch (full length animated)

Klaus

Arthur Christmas

The Muppets Christmas Carol

The Santa Clause

Elf

Classics:

Shop around the Corner

Christmas in Connecticut

White Christmas

Miracle on 31st Street

A Christmas Story

The Original Grinch

Rudolph

Frosty the Snowman

Other:

Phineas & Ferb Christmas

Noel

The Santa Clause 2 & 3

The Prep & Landing Movies

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

*Polar Express: We watch this every year as a family. We have tickets for everyone to “get on the train”, we serve hot chocolate when they have it, and it’s a lot of fun. However, we also skip one or two parts that are a bit scary & not necessary for the overall plot.

The time after Christmas & before school starts again is also a great time to watch The Sound of Music. Plus, the Anne of Green Gables movies are a must for some of our family on or around New Year’s Eve while we do a puzzle, have fun snacks, etc.

12 Days of Christmas Family Fun – Secret Santa

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One of our family traditions during Christmas is that our kids do a “Secret Santa” with each other. We put each child’s name in a hat & they take turns drawing names.

The rules:

  1. They can’t tell anyone who they have, except mom & dad. (We keep a master list in case anyone forgets, too.)
  2. There is a minimum amount they must spend. Mom & Dad contribute to this, too. (The amount depends on age, as the younger kids don’t have jobs or the same ability to make money.) We don’t set a maximum amount, however. 
  3. You can also buy gifts for other siblings, if you want. Some years a child or two will buy a small gift for everyone, some kids make things. It depends on the year. There is no pressure to do this, but we also don’t limit their generosity either! Some kids LOVE giving gifts & it is important to them to do so. Other times a child will want to give a gift related to a special moment or connection they have with a sibling, even though that sibling is not their “Secret Santa”. We are okay with this. Our concern is that all in our home are treated very well, so we are not concerned with being “fair”.
  4. Even our youngest children participate (though mom & dad do most of the work when they are quite young).

We also create a list together of gift ideas with a reasonable price range & then we find a day (or two) to shop together! This is always so much fun!! While we go together as a large group, we split up when necessary to make secret purchases, etc. It seems like it would be difficult to do this & keep our secrets, but everyone does a good job of not paying too much attention to what others are doing & instead concentrating on their own mission of finding a gift for their assigned person.

I love this tradition because we have a lot of fun doing it, but also because it draws our kids’ hearts towards each other as they excitedly plan good surprises for one another. It also leaves them with treasured gifts & memories.