Jocelyn's 2009 List of the Best Christmas Books for Young Children

Jocelyn's List

of the

Best Christmas Books for Young Children

2009
~

From the blog:

We Talk of Christ

We Rejoice in Christ

1 – The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
by Susan Wojciechowski - Ornament Craft: Heart Ornament
2 – A Christmas Dress For Ellen
by Thomas S. Monson - Ornament Craft: Scrap Ball Ornament
3 – One Wintry Night
by Ruth Graham - Ornament Craft: Paint Swirl Glass Ball Ornament
4 – Christmas Oranges
by Linda Bethers - Ornament Craft: Christmas Orange Pomander
5 - The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg - Ornament Craft: Santa's Jingle Bell
6 - The Gift Of The Magi
by Sauber/O. Henry - Ornament Craft: Wrapped Mini-Gift Ornaments
7 - Grandfather's Christmas Tree
written by Keith Strand, illustrated by Thomas Locker - Ornament Craft: Carve duck family out of soap
8 - Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect
by Richard H. Schneider - Ornament Craft: Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree
9 - This Is The Stable
by Cynthia Cotton - Ornament Craft: Manger
10 - Humphrey's First Christmas
by Carol Heyer - Ornament Craft: Folded Paper Camel Craft
11 -The Clown of God 

an old story told and illustrated by Tomie dePaola - Ornament Craft: Easy Felt Ornaments with "colored balls" buttons or one to represent each color juggled
12 - Who Is Coming To Our House 

written by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff - Ornament Craft: Toothpick/Christmas Card Ornament
13 - My First Story of the First Christmas

retold by Deanna Draper Buck, illustrated by Jerry Harston -
Ornament Craft: Glittery Christmas Star
14 - Snow Music
by Lynne Rae Perkins - Ornament Craft: Snowflakes Paper
15 - The Donkey's Dream
by Barbara Helen Berger - Ornament Craft: Tea Bag Donkey
16 - Snowmen at Night (or Snowmen Christmas Eve)

written by Caralyn Buehner, pictures by Mark Buehner -
Ornament Craft: Marshmallow Snowmen
17 - The Crippled Lamb
by Max Lucado - Ornament Craft: Woolly Sheep Ornament
18 - The Sweet Smell of Christmas
(with scratch & sniff scents inside) written by Patricia Scarry, illustrated by J.P. Miller - Ornament Craft: Gingerbread Ornaments
19 - We Were There: A Nativity Story

by Eve Bunting - Ornament Craft: Christmas Spider
20 - Santa Mouse

by Michael Brown - Ornament Craft: Merry Christmouse
21 -  Morris's Disappearing Bag
by Rosemary Wells - Ornament Craft: Small "Disappearing Bag"
22 - The Animal's Christmas Eve

(a little golden book) written by Gale Weirsum, illustrated by Alex Steele Morgan - Ornament Craft: Baby Jesus in Manger
23 - The Night Before Christmas
(a golden book, printing 1975) written by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Corinne Malvern - Ornament Craft: Sugarplum/gumdrop ornament
24 - The Littlest Angel

written by Charles Tazewell, illustrated by Sergio Leone -

Ornament Craft: Paper Angel Cutout


CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OF THE CHRISTMAS CRAFT ACTIVITIES FROM THIS LIST

Learn how to say “Santa Claus” in another language

Santa Claus is known by many names—like St. Nicholas and Father Christmas—but some seem a bit stranger. Kris Kringle? Where did that one come from? Kris Kringle was the lead character in Miracle on 34th Street, but the name probably originates from Christkindl, or Christkind, the Austrian and Bavarian Christmas gift-bringer modeled after the baby Jesus. Here are some other pseudonyms Santa uses across the world:

"Portrait of Father Christmas"

                                                     

USA/Canada—Santa Claus

Brazil—Papai Noel

China—Shengdan Laoren (Old Man Christmas)

Chile—Viejo Pascuero

Dutch—Sinter Klaas

England—Father Christmas

Europe—Saint Nicholas

France—Pere Noel

Germany—Saint Nikolaus

Hawaii—Kanakaloka

Hungary—Tel-apo/Mikulas/Winter grandfather

Italy—Babbo Natale

Japan—Hoteiosho

Morocco—Black Peter

Netherlands—Kerstman

Norway—Julenissen

Peru—Papa Noel

Russia—Ded Moroz

Spain—El Nino Jesus

Christmas by the Cupful

How to Find Joy during the Holiday Season

How to Find Joy during the Holiday Season is a simple question to answer.

You don't look for it – You Make it Happen!

Live the Commandments; "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:33

Continue regular Prayer and Scripture study, both individually and as a family

Study the Saviors Life and Learn of Him and what he did

Perform meaningful acts of Service to your fellow men

Have old Traditions and crate new ones

Always set priorities – Plan what is most meaningful
 and enjoyable to you and your family

Make quite time, slow down – Say No!!

Cut back of gifts and activities

Make a budget and Don't over spend

Do what you can and let go of the rest

It is very hard for a Starving Spirit to Experience Joy.

Don't Forget – Christ is what Christmas is all about

Gifts to Yourself

Have your Daily Prayers
Read your Scriptures
Eat Well and Get Plenty of Rest
Give full attention to children when they want to share
Buy Yourself Flowers
Buy a Christmas pin to wear on your coat!
Take a long, hot Bubble Bath
Take a Brisk Walk
Enjoy a few minutes of a good book with a cup of herb tea or hot chocolate
Get a manicure or a pedicure
Spend time with loved ones
Organize Now!! To avoid a stressed or discouraged feelings later
 

Find and Take to Heart the Blessings You Possess.

~

Know in Your Heart that You Have the Ability to offer Much Love and a Testimony that can inspire others.

Family Traditions for Christmas

The True meaning of Christmas can be brought into your Christmas through Family Traditions. Something that can be done each year will bring great memories for everyone.

• A Christmas News Letter each year with a Family Picture
• Baking Cookies
• Going Caroling
• Making Gifts
• A Service Project
• Visiting Shut Ins or at a Rest Home
• Letters and Care Boxes to Military and Missionaries
• Sitting by the tree with all the other lights off Singing Together, drinking Hot Chocolate
• Watching Christmas Specials and Movies
• We always opened one gift on Christmas Eve – (Pajamas from Grandpa and Grandma)
• Reading the account of the Birth of the Savior – acting out the Nativity
• The Foods we eat – the Treats or your Menu for Christmas Dinner
• "The Jesus Present"
• "The Twelve Days of Christmas" – Do your "own" version for someone for 12 prior to Christmas 

What is the True Meaning of Christmas?

I have always loved this time of year. Growing up my Mom worked so hard on making it magical. Through the years I have continued working hard making memories. Yes it takes planning to make memories. But this year I have had mixed emotions, I really don't like how commercial the holidays have become.

The magic is in the simple things.

What can we do to make Christmas more meaningful?

First – consider those things that are most important

Second – cut down on some activities and preparations that are not important, then spend more time on things that are.




Gifts
So much of our time, money and effort are put into gifts.
How can we plan Christmas gifts so they honor the Savior and feel the true spirit of Christmas?


Do our gifts pass this little test?
1 – Is the gift in the spirit of Love?
2 – Is it a reasonable choice and not too expensive or time consuming for the giver?
3 – Will it be ready before Christmas so that it will not take last minute preparation that should be spent on more important things?

Think back, do you remember what you got each year? You might remember the year you got a bike, but not what you got each year.
Money is not what's important – many can probably afford nice gifts – just things – gifts of the heart are memories for you and the one that receives.
Cutting down on your list to whom you give gifts.

Food
How can we enjoy preparing Christmas food so it will add to the Spirit of Christmas?
It needs to be kept simple.
Make up menus and shopping list weeks before Christmas and purchase items on sale and when convenient.

Decorations
How can our Christmas decorations add more to the spirit of Christmas?
If Christmas decorations are too time consuming and expensive, they can detract from the spirit. If left to the last minute they often add stress and confusion.

Family Traditions
Which of our traditional Christmas activities add to the spirit of our celebration and bring us closer to the Savior?
You may want to begin a Christmas tradition that puts service and love first in your plans by visiting long neglected relatives, lonely persons, or neighbors with whom you are not well acquainted.
By sharing food, toys and gifts with families in need, you may find a new meaning in your celebration of the birth of the Lord.

Christmas Decorations That Add Meaning

As you plan your decorations, think about and discuss traditional decorations that can remind us of Jesus because of the symbolism.

Lights, Candles and the Star – The star is the heavenly sign of promise from long, ago. It represents the star that shown in the east that appeared on the night of the Saviors birth. That Christ is the light of the world.

The Christmas Tree – Eternal life, because it stays green all year. All needles point to heaven; this symbolizes man's thoughts returning toward heaven.

Red – as in Holly Berries and Poinsettias – The blood of Christ that would spill for our sake.

The Bell – Represent guidance, sheep bells, and lost sheep to return to the fold

The Bow – is placed on presents to remind us of the brotherhood of man.

Candy Canes – The Shepherd's staff, that we are our brother's keeper.

Holly – The crown of thorns that would pierce our Saviors head.

Green – as in Ivy – Life and hope.

The Wreath – It is continuous, never ceases, stops, or ends. Unconditional love

The key is to keep it simple

Beautiful Advice

An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13.. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray...
24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29 Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego..
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

Thank you Mom, I really needed this.

{Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe}

Rinse the pumpkin seeds under cold water removing all strings and pulp.Place the pumpkin seeds in a bowl in a brine mixture. For each cup of seeds, add two cups of water and 2 tablespoons of salt..  mix well, then let it sit overnight.  (this step is optional)

Rinse and drain the seeds.

Place on a sprayed cookie sheet and drizzle just to coat with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, then place in a 325 degree oven for 25-45 minutes stirring every 10 minutes. 

*cooking time can vary based on the size of your seeds and amount.  Be sure to watch carefully as they can burn quick.

Remove from oven and place in an airtight container.

Here are a few optional seasonings to add before cooking for other flavors.

• garlic powder or garlic salt
• seasoning salt
• black pepper
• salt free seasoning blend, such as Mrs. Dash brand
• cayenne pepper
• seasoning salt
• Cajun seasoning blend
• chili powder
• Mexican style chili lime seasoning
• Italian seasoning or other herbs
• grated hard cheese such as Parmesan
• curry powder
• paprika