Every year, I think about how I can make Christmas more meaningful for my children, bring Christ back into Christmas. I don’t ever want them to be blinded by all the talk of presents and Santa, and forget what Christmas is really about… our Savior. So, this year is different, because of a book that I am SO excited about! There’s this super neat lady and friend in my neighborhood that has the coolest Christmas family tradition that she does with her kids and grand-kids. I have loved hearing about it and was so excited when she (and her daughter) finally detailed it all out in a book, so other people can do it too! What she has put together is seriously so special and the most perfect way to teach the family about the Savior, His birth, and His life. I’m excited this year to have my family think about being a little kinder, a little more loving and a little more focused on giving than receiving. Just what we need!
The book is called, A December to Remember… and, it’s so fitting. So basically, with the guidance of the book, for 12 days in December, the family will sit down together, open a small gift, read a Christmas book, sing a song, do an activity or be given a challenge. Everything is already planned for you! All you have to do is purchase or prepare a few items (listed in the book.) Really, it is super SIMPLE and ADAPTABLE. If for some reason, you’re feeling a little too busy to complete it the traditional way, there are several suggestions for ways to simplify that will still bring that special spirit into your home.
Something I love about the book is that it doesn’t matter if you don’t have young children at home. There are several other versions in the book for adults and teenagers. You will be amazed at how many options there are for this Christmas tradition!!
So, basically you need this book. That’s what I’m trying to say. AND, it would make a great gift idea too! You could give the book alone, pair it with a nativity, some of the stories mentioned in the book, a picture of Christ, and/or a plate of goodies!
Oh, but wait. What’s a blog post without a giveaway?!? Lame. That’s why I convinced Carol (my sweet, awesome neighbor lady) to give away a couple books to you lovely ladies. And, she totally agreed to it. So, one winner will win her book, A December to Remember and another winner will win her book WITH a nativity AND 7 of the children’s books mentioned in her book!!
Ready to enter??
For more great ideas for Christmas traditions, check out these posts: 25 Days of Christ, 24 Days of Family Christmas Activities, Christmas Eve at My House, Christmas Advent Tradition
awesome giveaway! This looks like a great book to introduce to my family this year.
After this, it sounds so secular, but it is what it is…a family tradition that started when I was little. Elves leave pj’s on the doorstep on Christmas Eve, ring and run! It was always the challenge to figure out how the ‘elves’ did it!
Very cute, Shanell!
Been thinking about ways to start positive holiday traditions that honor Christ in our family. This sounds like what I am looking for.
I am always looking for ways for Christmas to be more Christ centered and meaningful. I can’t wait to get a copy of this book and make our own December to remember.
Each year my mom plays the piano for our Stake choir for their Christmas program. She’s done this for as along as I can remember. Every year my dad would take us kids to the program on Sunday night, sometimes complaining the whole time. Now that I’m grown, and as I look back, I can see why my parents had us go. It was a way for us to feel the true meaning of Christmas and made us focus more on Christ. I’m so grateful for that simple tradition! And now that I have started my own family I have been looking for ways to bring Christ into our home this Christmas season. This has been what I’ve been looking for, I love this idea!
I love books that teach/share a great message!
This is just what I was looking for to teach my children the real reason. We go to church on Sundays and do the normal Christian family things but I wanted a deeper discussion with them.
On Christmas Eve, we have a fire in the fireplace, beautiful Christmas music playing, delicious food and surrounded with wonderful family. A treasured time together! Attend Mass on Christmas morning and enjoy the special day.
Our family has been doing 12 days of Christmas with a family unity activity for years, but I would love ways to include our Savior in our tradition.
Sounds like a great new tradition!
Oh I so hope I win. My boys have been through so much this year with a divorce, changes houses, etc. I have wanted so much to teach them the real meaning of Christmas and to make it stick without them just saying well, that is Mama’s version, but Dada doesn’t believe that. And they have wanted a nativity for ever. My youngest loves anything baby, so a baby Jesus is right up his alley.
I love all our Christmas traditions- reading the Christmas story from the Bible and opening a new pair of pj’s on christmas eve, having a birthday party and cake for Jesus on Christmas day and our newest ones…handing out toys with the NeediestKids of all program and having a Christmas movie dinner- spaghetti with maple syrup and coca-cola while watching Elf, or eating meatloaf and mashed potatoes with our face while watching The Christmas story!
This book is amazing and has brought the true spirit of Christmas to our lives!
Slipper Party with my family is probably my favorite! Every year my mom knits slippers for all of us and we celebrate Christmas in our new slippers!
My favorite tradition at Christmas is to go out and look at the Christmas lights when our kids and grandkids come over on Chritmas Eve.
Journey dinner on Christmas Eve
I am always looking for a new way to add Christ back in to Christmas.
We’ve started collecting a new nativity set each Christmas. This book will help us put them to even better use!
My husband’s work closes around noon on Christmas Eve and all the families of the employees come and eat lunch together. Then the employee usually leaves with their family to enjoy the rest of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together.
Great idea!
We have the tradition of new pjs!
Singing Christmas hymns around the lighted Christmas tree on Christmas Eve!
I love making Gingerbread houses with my sons and nephews.
Christmas Eve Tradition: We all get to open one gift ( New Pajamas) then with our new pajamas on we all drive up to SF Festival of lights and drive around a couple of times!
I am always trying to incorporate new things into our Christmas celebrations. We always have a Jesse tree and we also find 25 books at the library and read one each day.
Love Christmas!!!
We started this tradition six years ago. Instead of going crazy with presents we all get the same number: one present from Santa, one present to open on Christmas Eve: new pajamas, and one present each to represent the three gifts that Christ was given: Gold is something that the person wants; Myrrh is something that the person needs; and Frankincense is something for the person to share with others. It helps us to be less commercial, focus more on the person, and keeps us thinking more of Christ. Our family loves it!
I love reading all these traditions! I have been looking for some to start with my new family this year (just had a baby last year 🙂 ). My family grew up opening PJs on Christmas Eve and driving around and looking at the Christmas lights.
We have started doing a ‘stocking for Jesus’. where every time during the month of December, we write down a good deed done and put it in “His” stocking, to be read on Christmas Eve
One of our favorite traditions is getting to open pajamas on Christmas eve and reading a new Christmas story.
the big family party…with more and more little people each year and more little people growing up into big people…big cousins helping little cousins…uncles rough housing with nieces and nephews…the cookie decorating table…opening presents… i just love it.
Growing up we always had to sing a Christmas song before we could open up our first gift on Christmas morning! And of course it always had to be on video!!
My favourite tradition at Christmas is going to the woods and chopping down our Christmas tree.
For years I have tried to focus more on Christ at Christmas but I have yet to succeed. Of course, I was trying to do it on my own. Maybe with a bit of guidance It will work out. A favorite tradition is reading the Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas Eve and singing hymns.
We love driving around to see all the lights!