Family christmas handbook- At My Place

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HOLIDAY ISSUE 2017 FREE

Christmas handbook

CREATING MOMENTS THAT MATTER THIS CHRISTMAS

Editor's note Christmas, the end-of-year, seems to be a time of

I remembered again the conversation recently as I

reflection, of remembering, doesn't it?

contemplated the upcoming Christmas season.

After all, it was the shepherds in the fields

I remember my eldest grandson, always an

quietly looking up at the starry night who saw the

outdoorsy little guy, marching to the back door

angels and heard the news. It was the wise men

and swinging it open wide.

search high in the heavens who saw the star. But how often do we look up and wonder?

"Is anyone going with you?" I asked. "Do you want someone to keep you company?"

We spend our time looking down at our calendars or list of tasks or at the floors that need cleaning

"No fanks!" he called. Then he turned his head and

or at menu books and magazines filled with

muttered, 'Come on, God, let's go outside and

Christmas recipes.We spend even more time

play."

looking down at our computers or our hand-held devices. Would we have noticed the star on that

I grinned and turned to my daughter who was

first Christmas?

elbow-deep in Christmas preparations.

"Why is it so much easier for young ones to see

This year, I'm determined to spend more time

God in their young lives and to talk with Him?"

looking up, more time seeing God alive and active in my life, more time looking for the real Light of

She laughed. "Maybe because they spend so

Christmas. What about you?

much time looking up."

I hope you find plenty of ideas and resources in this issue to help you do just that.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

07 CHRISTMAS CARDS When did we first begin  sending Christmas cards to friends and family?

09 GIFT WRAPPING Find your free downloadable gift list plus creative gift wrapping ideas

13 FAMILY DEVOTIONS Centre your Christmas plans and celebrations around the One who brings real hope, joy and love

06 CHANGE YOUR FOCUS Put aside the busyness of Christmas events and refocus on the baby in the manger

more...

FAMILY CHRISTMAS HANDBOOK

Christmas content

CHRISTMAS CLIPS FOR FAMILY fun & inspiring clips for family discussion and enjoyment

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START SOME FAMILY TRADITIONS simple ideas for all ages

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PREPARING FOR GUESTS find simple ideas to plan ahead and make guests feel welcome

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PLANNERS download and use your free planners for your Christmas preparationsd

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LUKE 2:6-11 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

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During the holiday season, there is so much that competes for our attention.

Here's how to remain focused on what really matters.

PLAN TO LESSEN OTHER DISTRACTIONS BY: Spending less time on social media platforms

PLAN IN: Setting limits for tablets and phone use

Playing Christmas music at home and in

in the evenings and especially leading

the car

up to bedtime

Building family traditions and memories Saying 'no' to events that will take your focus away from your family and the real meaning of Christmas

Reading and sharing family devotions leading up the Christmas break

Spending less time at the shops

Planning activities and fun for the whole family

Connecting with loved ones over coffee or the phone

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HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS CARD

A CHRISTMAS TRADITION Giving.. perhaps the heart of Christmas. So, it's small surprise that giving and receiving Christmas cards is a Christmas tradition even today. The only differences today are the way cards are sent and received. Technology has made a huge impact on the delivery of all mail, especially cards and letters. Today, you can send cards by email and have them delivered instantly to anywhere in the world.

FIND IT HERE..

SENDING CARDS The first Christmas cards were delivered in London, England in 1843. It was not until 1875 that the first Christmas card appeared in the United States. And 1879, the first Australian Christmas cards were designed and sold.

With the advent of computers, mailing Christmas cards via the postal service has declined. Even so, there are almost 2 billion cards mailed each Christmas. It is one Christmas tradition which won't go away too quickly. Help your kids make their own personal Christmas cards.

FIND IT HERE..

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PREPARING FOR GUESTS

Christmas often means family and friends staying with you for the holidays.

CLEANING & ORGANISING It can be a little daunting to prepare your home for visitors especially if you're going to busy leading up the Christmas break.

It doesn't have to be. You don't want to be so exhausted that you can't enjoy their visit. Use these simple checklists to complete the tasks bit by bit.

FIND IT HERE..

MAKING THEM FEEL WELCOME There are simple ways that you can create a welcome for your guests that will make them feel relaxed and special.

These little tips and ideas don't take much time and effort but they make a real difference for anyone staying with you at Christmas.

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FIND IT HERE..

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

At Christmas, we focus on and remember the birth of Christ, the greatest gift in history. And so we, in turn, are encouraged to give to others. Plan ahead with this free Gift Guide.

YOUR FREE GIFT PLANNING GUIDE Download your own FREE gift planning guide to help plan for the holidays.

Check out the beautiful, and simple, gift wrapping ideas.

And, if you send a Christmas letter, check out these beautiful letter folding ideas.

FIND IT HERE..

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FAMILY CHRISTMAS CLIPS

Yes, they're just ads... and fun. But they also provide inspiration for family THEabout NEWESTwhat TECHChristmas & GEAR OF and 2019 discussion FOR YOURbirth NEXTmeans OUTDOOR Jesus' to ADVENTURE us.

Start a new family tradition and watch these together as a family.

Monty the Penguin

This clip is a classic. it's the story of a small boy and his penguin friend, Monty. He realises that Monty is missing something important. He wants something very special and Christmas is the perfect time to get it for him. Your kids, and you too I'm sure, wil enjoy this short story about a boy, his childhood friend, and caring for others at Christmas.

Mog's Christmas Calamity

It's the night before Christmas and nothing should be stirring, but trouble certainly is.

One thing after another, everything goes wrong for poor Mog. I'm sure we can all relate.

But the true spirit of Christmas is revealed to save the family's Christmas.. even for Mog.

Buster's Christmas

Yes, Christmas for time-poor parents invariably means putting together gifts on Christmas Eve. Your kids wil love seeing how Buster the Boxer watches the proceedings and enjoys Christmas in his own special way.

Christmas Eve 1914 We talk about Christmas and peace on earth. But what does all that really mean when the world is at war? Watch the recreation of the true story of Christmas 1914 and the' war to end all wars'.

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CREATE SOME FAMILY TRADITIONS

Whether your children are small or up and grown, you can create meaningful tradtions.

CHRISTMAS CHECKLIST Whether it's decorating a gingerbread cottage together or setting up a nativity scene, simple activities can become meaningful family traditions. Download this list, print it off and pop it up on your frig as a reminder to push aside the busyness of Christmas and create some memories.

FIND IT HERE..

A CHRISTMAS GAME Try this simple but fun idea to help your kids focus on the real meaning of Christmas and the search for the Saviour.

FIND IT HERE..

ADVENT CALENDAR How about an Advent calendar. You don't need to buy an expensive one. Try making your own with these instructions.

FIND IT HERE..

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A wonderful start...

Check your cinema for dates & times FAMILY CHRISTMAS MOVIE

.... to your Christmas holiday

FAMILY DEVOTIONS

The First Christmas 5-day devotion from CBN Superbook Discover the true meaning of Christmas with your kids. Watch a clip, read together and then learn

Remember to focus on Jesus, the greatest gift in history, as you share a family devotional.

more with Discover More & Pray segments. from CBN.com SuperBook

FIND IT HERE..

Guardians of Ancora Angels and Shepherds: 5-day devotion from Scripture Union

This family Christmas devotional

Countdown to Christmas 28-day Advent activity calendar from Thriving Family

includes clips, readings plus Talkabout- Talking with God Together segments. Families are also encouraged to download and play the free Guardians of Angora app.

Discover simple ideas for experiencing and reading truths as

FIND IT HERE..

you approach the Christmas season.

FIND IT HERE..

Experience Christmas 5-day devotional from Bethel Music Kids

The First Christmas Gift 6-day Christmas adventure from Bible App for Kids Watch the animated clip together and learn memory verse, key truth, song and concrete ideas to help abstract ideas stick

FIND IT HERE..

Devotional with Read It- Say It Share It segments

FIND IT HERE..

DOWNLOADABLE PLANNERS

Download and use these planners to plan and organise your Christmas holiday events.

holiday planner Download, print and use this planner for all your holiday plans and events – download here

Christmas wish list Hand out this suggestions list to your family to help choose a great gift for each one on your gift list – download here

menu planner Plan your Christmas menu with this simple menu planner – download here

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My prayer for you this Christmas is that you would know the greatest gift- Jesus.