I LOVE Christmas. And I LOVE Advent. (I even wrote a book about Advent). I love all the fun and creative ways we can anticipate the excitement of Christmas during December with our families. One of our favourite traditions is our Advent basket. It's so simple - I just throw all our Christmas … [Read more...] about The Best Christmas Picture Books for Children (updated for 2021!)
Seasons
12 CHRISTIAN HALLOWEEN PARTY IDEAS (WHICH DON’T CELEBRATE THE SCARY STUFF!)
Every year, Halloween rolls around sooner than I'm expecting. And every year, I feel like I've once again failed to come to any workable conclusion about whether we should or shouldn't participate as Christians, and where our boundaries lie. Last year, I expressed some of this in my post … [Read more...] about 12 CHRISTIAN HALLOWEEN PARTY IDEAS (WHICH DON’T CELEBRATE THE SCARY STUFF!)
Holy Week Activities for Kids
Holy Week can be a tricky season to celebrate with children. On the one hand, there is so much joy - Holy Week ends with Easter Day, the ultimate pivot point of all of history! Easter gives us hope that one day there will be an end to all suffering. Easter reminds us that Jesus - and only … [Read more...] about Holy Week Activities for Kids
HOW TO HAVE A FAMILY PASSOVER MEAL
I'm absolutely over the moon today to be welcoming one of my long-time heroes here on the blog! Victoria Beech (aka Mrs Godventure) is a mum, and highly experienced children's worker, writer and speaker. She runs the Godventure website and writes the awesome Godventure resources, which I've … [Read more...] about HOW TO HAVE A FAMILY PASSOVER MEAL
WHAT WE TEACH OUR ADOPTED CHILDREN ABOUT SANTA
I never formulated my ideas about Santa because of our adopted children, in case any of you think I'm more thoughtful about these kinds of things than I actually am. As a child, I enjoyed writing to Santa, sending my letter up the chimney of our open fire by making a draught with the door (a … [Read more...] about WHAT WE TEACH OUR ADOPTED CHILDREN ABOUT SANTA
WHAT TO GET YOUR HUSBAND OR WIFE FOR CHRISTMAS: A FOOLPROOF CHRISTMAS GIFT!
Do you struggle when it comes to buying gifts for your other half? I'd love to hear from you if you don't! I always find it difficult, and I suspect I'm not alone. We can find it hard for all sorts of reasons, not least because our money and possessions are shared, so it sometimes feels like … [Read more...] about WHAT TO GET YOUR HUSBAND OR WIFE FOR CHRISTMAS: A FOOLPROOF CHRISTMAS GIFT!
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TIPS: HOW TO DO (ALMOST) ALL YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN ONE DAY!
There are thousands of Christmas shopping tips on the Internet about saving money. Posts about buying second-hand, spreading the cost through the year, utilising sales, and so on. But how about saving time? Don't get me wrong, I'm not rolling in cash either. But this year, with four kids, … [Read more...] about CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TIPS: HOW TO DO (ALMOST) ALL YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN ONE DAY!
A FAMILY ADVENT: TWO CHRISTIAN WRITERS SHARE THEIR FAMILY ADVENT TRADITIONS
My friend Amy Scott Robinson is one of the deepest, most poetic Christian storytellers and writers that I know. She's the author of the marvellous Gladstone Tales, the first of which I reviewed right here. And guess what? She and I have both released Advent books this year! … [Read more...] about A FAMILY ADVENT: TWO CHRISTIAN WRITERS SHARE THEIR FAMILY ADVENT TRADITIONS
10 STOCKING FILLERS TO NURTURE FAITH FOR 8-11s
Around this time of year, I start to think about Christmas presents and, in particular, stockings. I do love the fun of picking out small treats that my children will enjoy - but I also feel the pressure of needing enough to deem their stockings well and truly 'stuffed', whilst also not wanting … [Read more...] about 10 STOCKING FILLERS TO NURTURE FAITH FOR 8-11s