Beautiful Ornaments from Empty Thread Spools

Tutorial of the Cutest Spool Ornaments Ever!
http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2014/11/tutorial-liberty-of-london-fabric.html

For more Spool Ornaments:
http://quiltingdigest.com/fabric-thread-on-spools-make-pretty-ornaments/

Fabric Snowflakes Are Simply Magical

An easy-to-follow tutorial for a beautiful Christmas project!
http://quiltingdigest.com/fabric-snowflakes-are-simply-magical/


Many more quilting tips, sewing projects, and crafts can be found here:

Clutter-Free Holiday Gift Ideas

Used by permission from Cara

http://www.healthhomeandhappiness.com/25-clutter-fee-holiday-gift-ideas-sustainable-green-and-sure-to-be-appreciated.html

12 Gift Ideas to Occupy Kids on Road Trips

 A Dozen Gift Ideas for Families Traveling for the Holidays

Used by permission from Cara

http://www.healthhomeandhappiness.com/12-gift-ideas-for-families-who-are-road-tripping-for-the-holidays.html

12 Holiday Gift Ideas to Promote Healthy Independence in Toddlers

Used by permission from the author, Cara  

http://www.healthhomeandhappiness.com/12-gifts-that-encourage-healthy-independence-for-toddlers.html

I totally agree with Cara's ideas, as they were included in previous articles I've written before.  Click on the photo for her excellent gift ideas.

More Christmas Information Than Anyone Will Ever Need

Check out the Christmas tab at the top of this blog:
 http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com/p/christmas.html 

I hope you will enjoy these Christmas posts, as well as checking the Categories List in the right sidebar for "Gifts" and "Crafts."

(Lots of Christmas Photos at the end)
http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com/p/christmas.html

 

A Christ Centered Christmas, Starting New Family Traditions

Lots of Christmas Recipes and Candy Cane Outreach

Fun Gifts to Make- Easy on the Budget - Fun to Receive!

Christmas Stories and Poems, Part I

Make Ahead Recipes for Holidays, Gifts for Teachers

Christmas Timetable, Photo Ideas, Tips, Saving Time   

Christmas Version of I Corinthians 13

Fresh Evergreen Wreath

Christmas Party Games

Sharing the Love of Jesus with Needy Children

 

 

Recipes for the Holidays are on the Recipe Blog:
http://heartfilledhomerecipes.blogspot.com/p/dessertsholidays.html

 

How to Turn a Dollar Tree Ornament into Frosty's Vintage Top Hat

 Used by permission from Shannon

foxhollowcottage.com/2014/11/how-to-turn-a-dollar-tree-christmas-ornament-into-frostys-vintage-top-hat.html





When I saw these ornaments at the Dollar Tree I thought they were cute, but I knew I wanted to put a Fox Hollow spin on them, with some fat ribbons and maybe a little vintage flair.

 

They totally remind me of Frosty’s top hat. Even though Frosty’s didn’t look like this. I guess it’s a top hat + Christmas that just gives me that nostalgic connection. Anyhoo… ready for another round of “cheap&easy?

Good!
To make:
1. Buy Dollar Tree ornaments. You can make top hats ornies from scratch, but for a dollar, I’m happy to use this base! They come in Red, Black and Silver (to my knowledge)
2. Remove the apple green sparkly bits. The hat is made of styrofoam, so apply firm, even pressure, and pull. A wee chunk will come out. No worries, your hat band will cover it!

3. Use ribbon, scrap fabric, craft paper, scrap book paper, etc.. to make a band. Wrap around and secure. I used a glue gun. A straight pin would probably work too in a pinch!
4. Add your embellishments. Ribbon, sprig of greenery, tinsel garland (from Dollar Tree, it’s sparse and perfect) flashy buttons, rhinestones, tiny ornaments, an old earring, a tiny snowflake, etc… a mini monogram would be adorable! Basically anything to scale, you want the visual weight to be balanced.

 

5. Lastly, the gold ornament hanger attachment was very “cheap plastic-y gold” so I chose to paint mine with a dab of craft paint. Black on the one with the polka dot ribbon and pale gold on the one with the little vintage ornament. It really completed the mini transformation. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be prefect, just bad with a little craft brush and call it good! You’re mainly just toning down the cheap-y gold look.

And then… you are all done, and you have a supah-cute Frosty top hat ornament that can be the highlight of your tree, or even a gift topper!
These would be extra cute on a Frosty The Snowman tree.
Have you seen them? They are adorable themed trees. My sister did a flocked one, with a big top hat as the tree topper and it was so, so cute. It really put out a strong Christmas vibe at her house! You couldn’t help but love it. I sure wish I was blogging then, so I could share a photo of it. I didn’t even have a cell phone back then. Well, I may have, but it didn’t take pictures that’s for sure. Can you even imagine?
How did I survive?

Our Plans For A Simple Christmas + 25 Non-Toy Gift Ideas

You are here: Home / DIY Holiday / Our Plans For A Simple Christmas + 25 Non-Toy Gift Ideas

Our Plans For A Simple Christmas + 25

Non-Toy Gift Ideas

With the lights  twinkling on the tree behind us, my husband and I sat and contemplated Christmas and what we want it to look like in our family. We each have beautiful childhood memories of Christmases past and now it’s our turn to share the magic. We thought a lot about possibly having a non-toy Christmas.
(In sharing this I want to be sure to tell you that this is what works for our family and I’m not under the assumption that it must work for everyone.)
One thing we both feel very strongly about is making sure that the Christmas we teach to Scarlette is not a completely consumerist one.
This is hard for me. Scarlette is (and will be) an only child, long awaited and much celebrated. I (and my love of a good deal) want to give her the world.
Plus, I am a gift giver. It’s my love language. I just like to give people stuff. And I love my Black Friday sales with the best of them, y’all.
I counted the gifts we purchased for Scarlette last year on one hand. “It looks so small” I lamented. First World Problems at their finest, right?
What do we want her to know? That Christmas is about giving. Namely, the gift of a Christ child to a world who was in desperate need of a Savior. And that we give in that spirit, of presents and of time and of love, to honor the greatest gift ever bestowed.
So we drastically changed how we do gifts around here. For her birthday, she got one toy and a special cupcake outing from Mommy and Daddy. (And if you’ve seen this video, you know that she was the happiest kid ever.)
Instead we’ve decided to focus on advent activities and gifting to our community. We still exchange gifts but on a much smaller scale with more intention.
Now that we’re on our third year of Christmas/birthdays in this vein and figuring this out a little more, here are 25+ suggestions for non-toy gift ideas! (some referral links included b/c coupons!)

Experience Gifts

Right now our three year old daughter, Scarlette, is in ballet class because she asked to be. (She did not get that from her rhythm-less mama.!) She knows that the classes are a gift from her grandparents and I find that really special. I’m thankful to them for being a part of giving her new experiences and creating special memories with her when they take her on outings. I typically visit GROUPON’s local things-to-do page to find some fantastic experience gifts for over half off. This year I bought some great packages for family members through them!
1.) Memberships to a children’s museum or the zoo. My dad took Scarlette to the zoo this year and she talks about it all the time. Seriously. ALL THE TIME.
2.) Paint Your Own Pottery trip. We love doing this. It is so fun and you don’t have to make something you bring home, you can have your child make something like a pretty vase to donate to the local nursing home.
3.) Tickets to the movies, theater production, or concert. I’m wishing that Super Why Live would come anywhere near us because my three year old would have the time of her life at a show like that. Fandango lets you personalized their gift cards with a photo, which is a cute way to give a movie ticket gift!
4.) Gift certificates to a favorite ice cream/cupcake shoppe. Because we all scream for ice cream. Except Scarlette. She screams for cupcakes. Or also just randomly, for no good reason.
5.) Gift certificates for a family outing, such as ice skating or mini golf. Or, if they are teenagers and are embarrassed to be seen with you because you feel the need to dance in public (MOM) then maybe for a friends outing. (I was scarred for life, y’all.)
6.) Crafting or baking dates. My mother made Scarlette this canopy for her bed as her Christmas gift last year. Scarlette was SO excited about it. And my favorite gift from my Aunt every year from the time I was a little girl has ALWAYS been her homemade butter mints. Of all the gifts I received at our family gathering, I always looked most forward to when I opened my tin of homemade butter mints from her.

Subscription Gifts

Don’t think kids can’t enjoy things like magazine subscriptions! Scarlette gets Ladybug magazine every month and she loves it. She enjoys getting the mail with me and having a “pwize” in it. We also love our subscription boxes. Most offer a one-time option in addition to a 3,6,9, and 12 month plan so there is something for every budget.
7.) Magazine subscription (we love Ladybug, Highlights and National Geographic Kids)
8.) A Book-Of-The-Month Club! Lollipop Book Club mails a lollipop and a book with a specially inscribed note each month. I love that idea! You could even probably do the same thing yourself for less, just remember to mail the book each month! I also love the look of GiftLit because you can choose from all ages, including read-aloud family books!
9.) Monthly Craft Kit. Kiwi Crate is a monthly craft club for kids. Each month you receive a box with supplies and instructions to make themed crafts that encourage creativity and learning. This is our favorite one, we got a subscription for Scarlette last year and she really looks forward to her box every month and my niece is getting a subscription this year. You can save 50% on your 1st month subscription to any Kiwi Crate Family Brands PLUS free shipping with code HOLIDAY50 – For kids under 4 their Koala Crate is fantastic and they also have Tinker Crate for older kids that is more STEM focused.   Similar crafting kits are: Green Kids Crafts and Babbabox.
10.) Monthly Learning Kit. Little Passports is a monthly travel adventure kit. It’s for an older age range than Scarlette, maybe 7+ but it is so cute! You can do the world edition or the USA edition and “visit” different countries/states each month!
11.) Baby Essentials Subscription. If you have a baby, then a subscription or bundle from The Honest Company is a great choice for you. You can do the diaper subscription and get eco-friendly diapers + natural wipes delivered monthly (WHO DOESN’T LOVE THAT?!) or you can get natural bath & body products, kid’s toothpaste and more. And let’s be honest: your baby has no idea what is happening on Christmas. The diaper bundle is where it is at. This makes such a great gift for a new mom!

Digital Gifts

Some people dislike giving digital gifts because they like having something to unwrap. But you can still make a cute present out of something like a Netflix subscription by printing out the gift code and wrapping it up in a fun popcorn tin!
12.) Online Learning. We use www.abcmouse.com for early learning and we love it. Scarlette gets to do a lesson or two on it a few days a week and it is such a great learning tool. It is designed for toddlers up to Kindergarten age and is full of educational lessons that are presented as games, puzzles, books, songs, and more. She earns “tickets” for each lesson she completes and trades them in for prizes. She’s currently obsessed with buying things for her fish tank with her tickets. (This link will give you the first month free to try it out)
13.) Netflix. Netflix is our go-to in this cable-free house. It’s such a great gift because it has an entire kids-only section with tons of family favorites and educational shows. We watch a lot of the nature shows. And after the kids use it, mom and dad can totally have a movie date night in.
14.) Educational App. I love the Kindle Free Time Unlimited App that I have for my Kindle Fire. It’s only $2.99 a month and it is full of educational games and books that I can let Scarlette read without worrying about her accidentally deleting my stuff or buying billions of dollars of e-books.
15.) Gift cards. Gift cards to Amazon or iTunes for digital books, apps or music are good bet for the teen crowd. Or thirty year olds with a penchant for YA dystopian fiction series. Just sayin.’ Fandango gift cards are also a great idea because there are a ton of good YA movies coming out this year!

Learning Aids

And if you just really like wrapping stuff, I love getting hands on learning items for Scarlette. Musical instruments, craft supplies, etc. are all helpful to this homeschool-ish mom and things that my kid enjoys.
16.) Extracurricular activity items. If your child is signed up for ballet, a tutu makes a great gift. Just ask Scarlette. I can’t get her to take off the one she got for her birthday. It’s kind of a problem, actually.
17.) Musical Instruments. We love these rhythm sticks by Hohner Kids. And by “we” I mean “Scarlette.” No parents like these. Also, this harmonica is like, five dollars. And it’s a harmonica. Everyone likes the guy who can play a harmonica! We also have this wooden xylophone and this little drum that Scarlette loves. This year Scarlette got this kid’s cd player for her birthday – she LOVES listening to books on cd (this set is her favorite) and singing along to Frozen karaoke in the microphones. I liked it because it also has an mp3 and usb hookup so I can download music for her online.
18.) Arts & Craft Supplies. It’s so nice in the winter months to have a go-to craft bin in the house. Chenille sticks, googley eyes, glue, feathers, construction paper, scissors, popsicle sticks, watercolors, markers, etc. are all great things to bundle together in a little craft set. I normally pick these up at craft stores or you can grab an oversized arts and crafts bucket like this one. We store ours in these stackable ArtBins.
19.) Books. I love giving and receiving classic books. I think you can’t go wrong with classics like Shel Silverstein’s Where The Sidewalk Ends, Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, Where The Wild Things Are, etc. and I am all about fostering a love of reading in kids. Oh, and I love LOVE the Jesus Storybook Bible.
20.) Learning Activities. I’m against ant farms on account of how I read the Scary Stories books when I was a child and still have nightmares but I do love nature stuff. Scarlette has a magnifying glass we use to look at bugs that was her favorite gift ever. On her list of things that she is thankful for, number two is BUGS. I also love things like these wooden pattern blocks that my dad gave Scarlette for her birthday. We can do so many learning activities with them that even though they might be technically a toy, I give them a pass. I also love Lisa’s printable activity sets.
21.) Clothes. Okay, that might have nothing to do with learning but I had no category for it. Technically, we’re learning how to dress ourselves over here. Well, the three year old is. But kids need clothes, y’all. They grow real fast. I also think that some of the handmade locket necklaces would  make a great, sentimental gift for a teenage girl. And I’m all about building a dress-up box out of clearance sales and thrift store finds because imaginative play is brain power. Or maybe not, I just made that up but I bet it’s good for kids or something.

The Gift Of Giving

I think it’s important to teach our kids about charitable giving from a young age. Here are a few ideas organizations that I personally like and support, but having your child research, learn about, and choose a charity that is personal to them is awesome. It’s a sweet opportunity to teach our kids about giving beyond ourselves.
22.) Giving to a local need. We do something for families in the local NICU each year at Christmas time and ask that our friends and family consider donating in Scarlette’s name, to share a little bit of the hope that we have now and that we so wanted back when it was us there during the holiday season. You can make blankets or crochet preemie hats or any number of things!
23.) Sole Hope. Sole Hope is an organization that does medical work in Uganda and helps local men makes shoes for the kids there. I got to meet them last month and was so impressed with them that on my next Girl’s Night, I made my girlfriends watch the video and cut out shoes out of old jeans with me. It’s not at all annoying to be friends with me y’all. I think it’s a good organization for older kids/teens to be a part of because they can host fun shoe-cutting parties and be actively participating in the mission.
24.) Freeset. Freeset is a fair trade business that employees women who are trying to escape the sex trade. (I know that seems heavy for a Christmas gift but well, the greatest Christmas Gift the world received was born into a pretty heavy burden and I think it’s especially important to remember these girls in this season.) The women make beautiful bags (and laptop sleeves!) so this is another gift that you can wrap up while giving back. Another organization that I was able to meet face to face last month who truly impressed me.
25.) Light Em’ Up Giving. Check out Courtney DeFeo’s Light Em’ Up guide, with tons ideas for random acts of kindness that you can do with your children during the holiday season. I love the way this is set up, with printables and helpful ideas. We’ll be doing some of these with Scarlette this year and I am really looking forward to it.
26.) Choose A Gift Catalog. Several reputable charitable organizations like World Vision have gift catalogs that you can browse with your child. Scarlette loves farm animals right now so we’re going to discuss giving a family the gift of livestock and then I’ll let her choose from there.
We’re not totally anti-toy. After all, I hit up the Target Secret Toy Sale to stock up on books and gifts. But we do try to keep the balance weighted towards more handmade gifts, experience gifts and secondhand gifts than lots of brand new piles under the tree and this has been what has helped us
Whenever this topic comes up among my girlfriends they always ask how we broach this with family members. We definitely don’t want to take away the joy of giving from others or infringe our own feelings on anyone else but we did share our hearts with them and ask them to consider experience or non-toy gifts. We’re thankful that her grandparents were incredibly understanding of our space (our house is small and I have a problem with clutter. Like, I make a lot of it.) and our hearts and purposed to honor our requests. Plus, I send them videos of Scarlette taking the ballet class they gave her and that is just the gift that keeps on giving, y’all.
(And if you are looking for gift ideas for the grown-up kids in your life, I’m partial to an Amazon Prime gift subscription. Two day shipping + free kindle books + free movies/tv shows is basically the gift that keeps on giving.)
 I’d love to hear any suggestions you might have for non-toy gifts!

For more gift ideas and to enter to win some awesome holiday prizes from Pottery Barn Kids, The Land of Nod, Boden and more, visit my 2014 Family Holiday Gift Guide!


Other Christmas Tutorials & Freebies: 12 Fun Free Christmas Fonts | Love You Latte Gift In A Bag | No-Sew Tutu | Free Photo Christmas Card Template | DIY Photo Color-A-Magnet | Printable Calendar Sticker Magnets | Free Christmas Card Template

Lots of Christmas Ideas and Recipes

Lots of Christmas Ideas from Previous Newsletters!
http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com/p/christmas.html

Lots of Recipes for Christmas!
http://heartfilledhomerecipes.blogspot.com/p/dessertsholidays.html

Christmas - A Most Special Holiday

used with permission by Susan Belisle
Speaker, Writer and Pastor’s Wife
www.susanbelisle.com

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

We have entered the most wonderful time of the year. The Christmas season offers hope for today and positive expectations for tomorrow. Everything we will ever need in life we find in Jesus. He is truly the hope for all the world. As Christian believers, we should pause amidst the hustle and bustle of life and reflect upon Jesus, God’s indescribable gift to us.

Hanging above my fireplace are four stockings. They are nothing more than decorations that may occasionally hold a gift card or concert tickets. For me and most other people, the gifts of greatest value lie beneath the tree. They are beautifully wrapped and grouped together for each of my family members. Several months of thought, planning, and shopping have gone into the gifts beneath my tree, and I hope they will bring much joy to my family as they open each one.

What gifts are beneath your tree? Who are those special people that will be the recipients of your gifts? Have you put as much time and planning into the selection and wrapping of your Christmas gifts as I have? Can I suggest that you include one more gift under your tree? It will not cost you a specific dollar amount because it is priceless. You will not have to shop near and far to find it. It’s always the right color and always the right size, and it never goes out of style.

Jesus, God’s greatest gift to us, has transformed our lives through the forgiveness of our sins. Without Jesus, we would not experience the gift of eternal life that comes through God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness is a concept that seems to be gaining popularity in recent years. It is a continual theme that permeates Hallmark movies and is spoken of on talk shows and in Sunday morning sermons. Perhaps our world is beginning to see the powerful impact forgiveness has in our lives and in the lives of others. Perhaps people are gaining a better understanding of the value of extending forgiveness. Perhaps we are all learning that the lessons Jesus taught about forgiveness are as needed today as they were in biblical times.

As you think back upon the past year, have there been situations or circumstances that have left you broken or bitter? Are there people who have hurt or offended you? Are there people who need your forgiveness? God has freely forgiven us, and we too must freely forgive others. Although forgiveness is a gift we give to others, it is also a gift we give to ourselves. We erect our own prison walls when we choose not to forgive. We are set free to soar when we extend forgiveness to others.

During this wonderful Christmas season, let us give the gift of forgiveness. As you carefully place gifts under your Christmas tree, be sure to place the gift of forgiveness under there too. Whose name will be on the label? Will she be surprised by your gift? Maybe it will make her cry. I can assure you that your gift won’t be returned or exchanged. It will also be the most priceless gift under your tree. It will be the most beautifully wrapped gift as it is clothed in the precious blood of Jesus.

'Tis the season to give so let’s give forgiveness to all those in need. Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

How to Make a Coffee Filter Wreath (with Burlap Roses)

used with Permission by Shannon of Fox Hollow Cottage
http://foxhollowcottage.com/2012/10/how-to-make-coffee-filter-wreath-with.html
(Visit Shannon's website for a picture tutorial)

You Will Need:
1. A wreath form. (Mine is a Dollar Tree cheapy.)
2. Fabric to cover the form. (white is recommended!)
I used some white scrap fabric I had hanging around.
3. Glue and Glue Gun.
*Low temp is fine and what I used.
4. Coffee Filters! I used about 75 for my fat little wreath.
You can get these at the Dollar Tree.
5. Burlap. (optional for flowers)
You can use any fabric you like to match your decor!

Directions:
Step One-
Cut your fabric into a long strip (or 2) and wrap it around your wreath, then secure with glue. This will camouflage your wreath form and give your filters a little something more to stick to.

Step Two-
Get your filters and get comfy!
You’ll start be scrunching them up (so technical)
and getting the bottom into a point.
Then fluff out the ends and straighten up.
Finally, twist & pinch the end.

Step Three-
Start gluing. It’ll feel like a slow start to get the wreath looking full, but keep going and fill them in. I glued about a thumbs length of the twisted end section onto the wreath form.
See, it’s getting fluffier!!
I add a few to fan out on the sides and get a fuller, more uniform look.
I figure.. as long as it looks good from the front, right?
The wall won’t know ;)
I added some burlap roses to mine.
I thought it needed a little more texture and interest, which worked out great, because it’s even more versatile with that pinch of burlap.
After all that fluffing, gluing and flower making.. you should have yourself a wreath.
I think the coffee filter wreaths are sort of like fingerprints… so it won’t be exact!

Just love the wreath YOU made.
Mine is a little wonky, but it grew on me.

Lots of Christmas Ideas from Previous Newsletters!
http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com/p/christmas.html

Lots of Recipes for Christmas!
http://heartfilledhomerecipes.blogspot.com/p/dessertsholidays.html

Teaching Your Children the True Meaning of Christmas

Used with Permission by Blair Massey

The stores have put up their holiday decorations. Yuletide carols are being piped into shopping malls across the country. Ah, yes, the holiday rush is on.

It’s the time of year when the lines are long and shoppers are irritable. There are parties to go to, cards to write, baking to be done, a tree to get, lights to be hung and presents to wrap. Then there is the deluge of television advertisements that tell us what we must buy in order to make our loved ones happy.

The world has taken Christmas and turned it into a celebration of consumerism. For many children, Christmas is about what presents they are going to get. They have no idea what it is really about. What can we do as Christian parents to make sure our children know the true meaning of Christmas?

The answer lies in what we do as parents to put Christ at the center of our Christmas. If we’re too busy with holiday preparations to spend time teaching our children what Christmas is really about, then we can’t expect them to know the truth. The world will teach them its rendition and it won’t be about Jesus. But if we take the time to put Christ at the center of our Christmas, we will be giving our children the greatest Christmas gift of all: connecting with Jesus at a heart level.

Here are some ways you can teach your children the true meaning of Christmas. Begin by reading to your children the account of Jesus’ birth in the Bible. Next, discuss Jesus’ life. Read scriptures that show examples of how He loved and served others.

To make Christmas come alive for your children, teach them to imitate Jesus by following His example of serving others. I have listed some examples below for inspiration.

Before you make your plans please consider the following. Make sure that you choose an activity that will have a meaningful impact. The activity should also require your children to give of themselves in an up close and personal way. And last but not least, be sure to participate in the activity with your children. You’ll be teaching them a valuable lesson in serving, one that they will remember as they get older.

1. Teach them to give
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35.
◾Have them choose one of their own toys (in good condition) or purchase a new toy out of their own money to give to a child who otherwise would not receive a toy this Christmas.
◾Give a coat or shoes to a homeless person.
◾Bring toys and clothes to an orphanage.
◾Help a less fortunate family for Christmas by providing all the fixings for a Christmas meal, presents for the children and clothes if needed.
◾Pack bag lunches to give out to the homeless. Include a sandwich, juice box, cheese and crackers, Wet Ones, bus pass, a list of addresses where they can get a hot meal and shower, change for a phone call, and invitation to church.

2. Teach them to share
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18.
◾Take a basket of homemade cookies to a neighbor you don’t know well and invite them to church.
◾Have a friend over for dinner who doesn’t know about Jesus and share the Good News with them.
◾Have your child invite a school friend to Christmas service at your church.

3. Teach them to care
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” Psalms 68:5-6.
◾Visit a convalescent hospital and sing Christmas carols.
◾Visit a children’s hospital. Bring cookies and games to play.
◾Bring a meal to someone who has a chronic illness.
◾Invite a military person who is away from home to spend Christmas dinner at your house.

3. Teach them to serve
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28.
◾Volunteer to make and serve a meal at a homeless shelter.
◾Spend an afternoon at a senior citizens’ home. Bring cookies and reading material, sing Christmas songs and serve in any way that may be needed.
◾Take an elderly person shopping or do errands for them.
◾Do yard work, pet care or housework for someone who is not physically able to do those things for themselves.
By teaching our children to imitate Jesus this Christmas season, we will keep the true meaning of Christmas alive for this generation and for the next. Jesus is the real reason for the season.

Christian Lifestyle expert Blair Massey is devoted to helping Christian women around the world get their home, family and life organized. To get organized and start living the amazing life you were created by God to enjoy, sign up for her FREE newsletter now at www.christian-homemaking.com

Orange Pomanders: A Craft that Will Last for Years

by Lois Breneman - Heart to Heart - 2014 

This project is perfect for doing with your older children or with girlfriends, such as "Girls' Night Out!"  It's easy to talk while you craft this fun project!  My sister-in-law, Linda, makes these every Thanksgiving with her daughter and daughters-in-law to add to their bowl of fragrant spicy pomanders each year.  They even made small pineapple pomanders recently, covered in the same way!  Linda Walker in Pennsylvania is my inspiration for this project!

I saw orange pomanders for sale online with a beautiful bow and a cinnamon stick at the top for more than $35 including shipping.  These would make wonderful gifts as well as decorations in your own home.  I keep mine setting out all year long. 

 Supplies:

1. Fresh Orange (I used an orange with a thinner skin, verses a naval orange with a thick skin, but either will work fine.)

2. Metal or wooden skewer (to make it easier on your fingers as you push each whole clove into the orange)

3. Bottle of whole unbroken cloves (I bought mine in bulk at a lower price at our natural foods co-op)

4. Container of powdered alum or orris root (preservatives found with spices - a must if you want your orange not to get moldy and rot)  I will refer to only alum in this article.

5. Ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice (choose the ones you want, but definitely cinnamon and cloves)

6. Ziplock bag (gallon size if making more than one or saving mixture for another year)

     Photo of the supplies, except for the bag of spice and alum mixture.  The skewer was shortened, making it easier to handle.

The best way to cover an orange with cloves so it will last for years, is to cover it completely, rather than make a design.  If covered completely, it will keep for years.  Those with designs where part of the orange rind is showing tend to mold or rot.

Directions:
1. Starting at the top of the orange, remove the part that attached to the stem, poke a hole there with the skewer, and insert a whole clove by pushing the pointy end into the hole. 

2. Poke more holes next to the first clove, so there will be no spaces of orange showing through after the cloves are inserted.  After you get the idea, you can poke an entire row of holes before inserting the whole cloves. This will take quite a while, and don't rush the process.  Enjoy listening to music or the radio - or listening and talking with family or friends. 

3. After your orange is studded completely, pour at least 1 Tbsp. alum into a Ziplock bag, with a large container of cinnamon and a few tablespoons of ground cloves.  Mix well.  Dollar Tree has cinnamon in large containers for a dollar.  Extra alum won't hurt either.

4. Wet the clove-studded orange with water, and shake off extra drops.  While wet, put the clove-studded orange into the bag of alum and spice mixture and gently turn the bag until the orange is completely coated with alum.  This is what will make your beautifully scented orange last for quite a few years.  Without alum, your time, energy, and money will be wasted.  Gently tap the orange on your other hand to get rid of any excess powder.  Place on a paper towel or tea towel and turn it a little each day as it completely cures.  Continue turning for 2 weeks so all the sides will dry out.  

5. Save any alum and spice mixture for future orange pomanders.  Label the bag.  Add more spices and alum when the mixture is running out

The clove-studded orange pomander I made three or four years ago when my daughter-in-law and I each made one together, is still looking nice, setting in a small glass bowl.  My sister-in-law, Linda, has quite a few pomanders setting in a wooden bowl, lined with an antique cloth.  When the aroma fades, a few drops of  essential oils (wild orange, clove bud and cinnamon) give pomanders renewed refreshment.  I hope you'll give these a try!

Below is another orange I started last night after this was posted.  I used a juicy orange with a thin skin, as I did for the one above.  You can see the juice oozing out in the front.  It smelled so good, and juice ozzing out is not a problem.  I will need to fill in with small cloves to completely cover the orange peel in that area.  It's a good idea to refrigerate any partly completed orange to keep it fresh.  Tonight I plan to finish it.  Then I'll coat it with the spice and alum mixture, by following the recipe above.

The Most Important Gifts to Give Your Children All Year Long

by Lois Breneman

Grandparents, you can team up with your children's parents and help with some of these!

Listen To Them Talk – Just listen!  

Play with Them - "175 Things to Do Together with Your Family" can be found here. 

Slow Down and Stop Being So Busy – How may times do we say,“Just a minute!”

Teach Them How To Cook – Give one-on-one time as you do this.

Teach Them How to Work – Work along side of them.

Read to Them – Read to them early and later read books together as a family.

Stop Bad Habits – Your children will be happier if you do.

Tell Them Often That You Love Them – Even if you think they already know.

Hug Them Often – They say we all need tens hugs a day.

Teach Them About Jesus – Be sure they know the plan of salvation.

Have Family Devotions - Use the time you have to teach truths of the Scriptures.

Live the Christian Life Before Them – Be a model for them to follow.

Take Them to Church – And go with them.

Spend Time at Home - Provide a peaceful life by not involving them in too many activities.

Make Them Available to Their Grandparents – They have a lot to offer your children.

Christmas Tidbits

Christmas Story
How about reading the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-11 on Christmas morning before opening gifts?  Another idea might be for your children or grandchildren to dress up and act out the Christmas story according to Luke 2!

 

Good News of Christ's Birth

"Often, the Good News of Christ's birth is given only a cursory nod before moving on to what has become the 'real' reason for the Christmas - receiving a windfall of goodies from the jolly fellow in the red suit." - Nancy Twigg – Contributed by Barb Campbell, MS

 

Study Links Christmas, Christianity and Happiness:

There's just something about the "most wonderful time of the year."

http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0029374.cfm

A Christmas Candle
by Eva K. Logue – Contributed by Annamarie Kresge of Virginia

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away;
While quite unselfish, it grows small.

 

My Snowball
Author Unknown - Contributed by Elsie Wertz of Virginia

I made myself a snowball, as perfect as could be.

I thought I’d keep it as a pet, and let it sleep with me.

I made it some pajamas and a pillow for its head.

Then last night it ran away, but first, it wet my bed!