December 1st - Holiday Values (day late)

Family Values is defined as: values especially of a traditional or conservative kind which are held to promote the sound functioning of the family and to strengthen the fabric of society.

Goodness, thats what i am doing? yes! yup, thats what i am doing for my girls! :)

Values that we try to instill during christmastime:

• Compassion and Empathy for others. Whether others surcumstaances are bad or good, that everyone is disserving of our love.
• Spiritualality. That we choose to love God and the baby that was born for us.
  
• Respect. We show everyone respect, including each other. We also show respect for others holiday beliefs.
• Fun and Joy. To take joy in all the things we do, all the things we see, and the things shared with us.
  
• Gratitude. That while we do not experiance a Santa visit full of toys, we are truely grateful for all that we have, and that we recieve.

A few years back my husband and i changed the way we celebrate christmas. Rather than focusing on Santa, being good and all the gifts. We spend the month of December celebrating Jesus and all the things he came here to teach us. We do activites as a family such as going to see lights, or a parade. But we also do things as a family to give back to our community, and our direct neighbors.

Last year i created a fun set of advent cards .... counting down the 12 days of christmas. It was a huge success and the kids loved them.

Each card is different and varies. One card has a scripture, the next an activity, then back again to scripture. Slowly it tells the story of Jesus birth, with a fun activity to go along.

Products used from ScrapGirls.com. Click on the picture for more details and products used.