When All Isn't Cheery and Bright

I saw this cartoon, and it hit me that in this holiday season when all is supposed to be cheery and bright, there are a lot of people who aren't looking forward to the season and who hope to just make it through. Depression can seem worse during times when we are expected to be festive, and the holidays may hold a depression of their own. I'll be talking more about that in an upcoming post.

The cartoon says "One awesome thing about Eeyore," but I think it really should say "One awesome thing about Eeyore's friends" 

Quick Tips: Keeping Christmas Simple But Meaningful

Today's Quick Tips are from best selling author Kathi Macias.

Quick Tips for Keeping Christmas Simple but Meaningful:

• Focus on celebrating Christmas as Jesus’ birthday by baking a birthday cake and asking each family member to write (or draw) on a piece of paper what he/she would like to give Jesus for His birthday. You might even sing “Happy Birthday, Jesus” as an opening for your Christmas Eve/morning celebration.
• Let each family member participate in the run-up to Christmas by helping to choose items for a “Christmas Shoebox” for Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan’s Purse) or some other worthy cause. The items should be practical, helping little ones realize that not all children have the blessings we often take for granted.
• Check with a local veterans’ organization to see how you and your family can visit a local veteran who might need cheering up—possibly through singing and/or bringing a special treat.

If it's too late to do these this year, plan ahead for next year.

Kathi is author of many books including two Christmas books

You can see her other books on her website HERE


And the winner is:

What do you do to keep Christmas meaningful? Share below in the comments section and you will be entered in the drawing to win this book.

Since we are so close to Christmas, I will be drawing a name on December 15.

Is This True for You?

How are you encouraging your children to reach their full potential? What goals do you have for the new year?

What one way will you encourage your kids to be their best in 2016? Leave your answers in the comments section.

Top Picks for Christmas Ages 5-9 Toys and Books

Sometimes it's hard to know what to buy a child for Christmas. And if time is short, you might not have time to browse. So below are some suggestions to make shopping easier. Most of these toys are available at Target, Walmart, Toys R Us and other stores so check sales, compare prices and get online coupons.

As I mentioned in the last post, the best gift you can give is the gift of time, so whatever gifts you buy, include the time to share them.

LEGO® Friends Heartlake Private Jet $30

Star Wars Episode 7 Remote Control BB-8 (Only at Target) $80

Shopkins Scoops Ice Cream Truck Playset $20

Barbie® Dream House $170

Razor A Scooter $28

Fisher-Price Imaginext DC Super Friends Transforming Batcave $50

Magformers® Magnetic Power Magic Rainbow Set - 30 Piece

FurReal Friends JJ, My Jumpin’ Pug Pet

View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack $30

LEGO Minecraft Snow Hideout 21120

LEGO® Minecraft Creative Adventures Crafting Box 21116

Razor® Ripstik Mini Blue

Original Spirograph Kit with Markers $15

LEGO® City Deep Sea Explorers Submarine

Black Series Remote Control 

Thunder Tumbler Car $30

Spin Master Games - Quick Cups $18

ThinkFun Gravity Maze Falling Marble Logic Game

UNO Card Game - Retro Edition (stocking stuffer!) $5

Books

Choosing books for school age children 

becomes more complicated 

because individual interests start to develop. 

One child wants to read mysteries, 

another is still interested in dinosaurs. In 

order to choose the best books, you need to 

know the child's current obsessions, 

interests, and reading level. If the child has 

many interests, but his reading ability holds 

him back, consider giving both the book and 

the book on CD. He can read along and not 

be frustrated or find it hard to follow the plot 

because of his reading level.

Most children enjoy learning new things so 

consider one of the many books of facts or trivia 

available.

(Some of the books below are Christian, some are

 not. Always review a book before giving it as a 

gift.)

Mystery series

Cam Jensen (6-9)

A-Z Mysteries (6-9)

Calendar Mysteries (6-9)

American Girl Mysteries (8-12)

Ball Park Mysteries (7-10)

The Boxcar Children (8-12)

Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars 

(8-12)

Nate The Great (6-9)

 A Dog and His Girl Mysteries (8-12)

 Jigsaw Jones (7-10)

Mandie (9-12)

Three Cousins Detective Series(7-10)

The Cul-De-Sac Kids(7-10)

Red Rock Mysteries (8-10)

Sports 

Other Popular Series

TJ and the Time Stumblers (8-12)

Nancy Clancy (6-9)

Meghan Rose (6-9)

Little House on the Prairie (7-12)

 

The Cooper Kids (9-12)

Magic Tree House (7-10)

Books with extra value

I have three DVDs to give away. Simply leave a 

comment as to what your favorite present was as 

a child, and you'll be entered into a drawing to 

win a movie. They are all new, the only one that 

is open is God's Not Dead because I opened it to 

have two of the actors sign it. If less than three 

people comment, then someone may get more 

than one DVD! I'll draw names on the 10th and 

post the winners so check back. U.S. mailing 

addresses only.  Drawing is complete. Rather 

than draw for a certain video, I drew three and 

they can chose in order.Ty drew the names.