Teach Kids an Attitude of Gratitude, Not Entitlement This Christmas

Picture Christmas morning--shiny-eyed children happily enjoying their presents. Very idyllic. Unfortunately, reality is often more like green-eyed, greedy ingrates crying over gifts. Not exactly the ideal holiday spirit. And who created these selfish monsters? Mom and Dad (and indulgent grandparents, family) Experts blame the "I want it now" generation on parents, said the Daily Mail in 2011. Here are parenting tips to curb Christmas gimmes, teach an attitude of gratitude and save money! Teach Kids Christmas Gratitude, Not Greed--And Save Money

Parents Benefit from Giving, Receiving Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes

When back-to-school shopping, don't forget Operation Christmas Child's holiday shoeboxes. Now's a perfect time to stock up school supplies, crayons, pencils, scissors, markers, glue sticks and paper to fill your boxes. For Catholic and Christian families, packing an OCC box is a great Advent almsgiving activity. Advent is a lesser penitential season, like Lent and almsgiving is one the acts. Most others faiths practice some kind of charitable giving (such as Muslim zakat) and OCC provides a good avenue to do that. Giving to those in need is also relieves holiday stress and teaches kids that Christmas isn't just about getting. Here's how to do that read more

Free Printable Advent Countdown to Christmas Calendars

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. During Advent we focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for the Feast of Christmas. Many people use an Advent calendar to countdown to Christmas. Here are free printable advent calendars. Read more

Advent Christmas Countdown

Advent Math, Writing Project Craft Advent is all about prayer, fasting, and alms-giving. Make a giving craft calendar. Teach math and social studies as well as giving with this advent craft. View more »

Christmas Gift Ideas for Childrens' Charities and Overseas Missions

Top 10 Gift Ideas for Children's' Charities Trying to choose a gift for your group's Christmas giving tree? How about a Toys for Tots gift? Or overseas mission? It can be pretty difficult to know just what a child will like when you don't know them. This article lists issues to consider in charitable gift-giving. Includes great gift suggestions that work well for anonymous giving. And thanks for giving of yourself! Best Gifts for Kids Missions

Christmas and Advent Craft- Countdown Chain

Paper Chain Christmas Countdown Craft Easy craft for all ages to help eager children anticipate the Christmas holiday. Use my included list of silly activities to countdown the days. Or use my secret santa activities to practice corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Use in classroom, home, homeschool or day care. read more

Advent and Christmas Traditions

Creative Christmas Traditions Christmas in our Catholic home-schooling family is truly a season. We live advent and Christmas from the first Sunday to Epiphany. Our lessons dwelt entirely on advent and Christmas: literature, history, math, sciences, social studies, art. We spent advent making gifts, doing service projects and immersing our family in Christmas. I'll share some of our happiest holiday and Christmas traditions...View more »