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

Tightwad Mama's Common Sense Christmas Shopping Tips

Don't get me wrong--I love buying presents for people. Well, I should say I love gift giving. But I hate spending too much. I will not spend more than I can afford. I have a long shopping list of people to buy for at Christmas. Four kids and their three significant others, 15 extended family members, husband--and I buy several church giving tree gifts. I'm also a tightwad mama, by necessity and choice. Here are penny pincher shopping tips to save money, keep costs low and buy meaningful gifts for everyone.Tightwad Mama's Common Sense Christmas Shopping Tips

Ways parents can develop awareness of poverty, teach generosity

If I had a buck for every time I heard someone say "kids today are so insensitive and selfish," I'd be rich. If kids lack sensitivity, it's because we parents have failed to teach empathy. And kids need to learn empathy, especially with those in need. Here are ways to develop awareness of world poverty and teach generosity. Christmas is a great time teach kids awareness of social justice, world poverty. read more

DIY Advent Calendar Craft for Christmas Countdown

 Advent is the four week period before Christmas. Advent calendars make a great way to countdown the days until Christmas. You can purchase an advent calendar, print of of the many free Advent calendars or make your own using this easy pattern. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, so the length of time Advent lasts will change each year. To make your Advent calendar reusable from year to year, you can simply number the windows from 1-30. That will ensure that you always have enough windows to countdown for each day before Christmas. On the years with shorter Advent seasons, simply continue on after Christmas. read more

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

Best Book Gifts from Scholastic Top 100 Children's Literature Picks

Children's literature mogul Scholastic came out with a "bucket list" of must-read kids' books in its most recent issue of Parent & Child Magazine, says the Sun Times. Here's a look at the recommendations listed in their "100 Greatest Books for Kids."

* According to Scholastic Parent, they created the list to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the National Education Association's "Read Across America Day" on March 2. That day also commemorates the birthday of beloved children's author and illustrator Dr. Seuss (a.k.a. Theodore "Ted" Giesel). Read more

Best Black Friday Toy Picks from Parent Gurus

Written for Christmas, 2011, these were the top toy picks for last year. The good news is that for 2012, you'll be able to pick up good deals on these. Some are educational and some are just plain fun. With Black Friday this week, parenting gurus are exploring toys and creating shopping recommendations. It has asked kids to test and evaluate various toys. Parents look not just for low prices but also lots of educational bang for their toy-buying buck. Here are the top picks.

*My Keepon: A voice-activated, motion-sensitive interactive doll that looks like a baby chicken, it's also squishy-soft. This toy is popular with sixth graders of both genders. Read more

Best Christmas Holiday Gifts for Dads

Looking for the perfect gift for dad? Read on for a complete holiday gift-giving list for dads of all ages. Gifts to meet any budget. 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

Free Printable Christmas Photo Frame Crafts

Free Printable Cut and Paste Photo Frame Craft Projects
Family Fun has an excellent website full of free printable crafts, cut and paste projects, seasonal crafts, holiday crafts, room decor, games, puzzles and activities. Here are craft project free printable photo frame crafts.read on for free printable photo frames

Best Christmas Gifts for Babies, Infant Gift Recommended Reading List

Best Books to Read to Infants and Babies- Great Baby Shower and Christmas Gifts Read to an infant? Yes, you read that title correctly. Want to raise children to love books? Don't wait. Here is a list of books I highly recommend to read to an infant or baby. Oh and, ahem, these make excellent Christmas and baby shower gifts, too. read more

Christmas Shopping Tips: Make Impulse-Buying Theory work for You This Holiday Season

Holiday Shopping Guide: Making Impulse Buying Sales Work in the Shopper's Favor This Christmas finds me shopping far more frugally than ever before. I haven't finished my holiday shopping because I am trying something new this year. I am making impulse buying theory work in my favor, by practicing what I call 'mindful' shopping. read more

Best Christmas Gifts for Tween Girls

Best Moderately Priced Gifts for Tween Girls Ages 9-13 Tween girls: not teens and not little girls. How do you shop for girls in that age between childhood and adolescence? You don't want kid gifts for gifts that are too old. Here is a holiday shopping guide for preteen girls. Read more

Best Christmas Gifts for Busy Moms

Top 10 Real Gifts for Moms Stuck for a Christmas gift for mom? Here's a guide to thoughtful gift-giving for that special lady! Skip the candy, flowers and cards and give her a gift that shows how much you care! read more

Best Gifts Under $20 for Girls

Best Girls Christmas Presents Under $20 Stuck for ideas for a good gift for daughter, granddaughter, goddaughter, niece or gift exchanges? Here is a gift guide for tween (or preteen) and teen girls. Each gift in this list is available at Family Dollar, Walmart and sometimes Target for $20 or less. View more »

Gifts for Senior Citizens, Disabled, Shut-ins, Homebound

Top 10 Gift Ideas for Senior Citizens (Especially the Homebound)
Large variety and price selection of gifts for those senior citizens. Special focus on those who are home-bound or have special needs! View 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 »

Gifts for College Students

Back-to-School Guide: College Student Dorm Room for Under $500
Overview of the most useful items to buy or bring with you as you move into your college dorm. Pricing guide to buy products at the best prices. These tips can save you about $30 per day on food, beverage, coffee costs alone. View more »

Christmas Gifts for Moms

Christmas Gifts for the SAHM Mom Written as a gift guide for Stay-At-Home-Moms, these ideas make excellent gifts for any mom or woman! Sometimes the best gifts can't be wrapped! Lighthearted look at what women really want for Christmas! Unique gift ideas for those who like to think outside the box! View more »

DIY Projects for Christmas Gifts

DIY Projects for Christmas Gifts Holiday gifts don't have to be bought in the store. Give the gift of time and DIY talent. Surprise mom this Christmas with easy, diy home repairs and remodeling. projects! 10 projects that you can complete relatively easily that will delight and impress mom!Written for Mother's Day, these ideas work for any gift-giving! View more »