As I've mentioned before, giving is important to our family all year long, but we especially love to give at Christmastime, when it's too easy to fall into the trap of commercialism and wanting more things. This year at Life Your Way, we're sharing our Christmas to provide farm animals to families in need. Yes, farm animals! By giving…
In our house, we always say it's not really Christmas until the candy cane cookies have been made! Our family is big on traditions. We believe that traditions -- things you do again and again and look forward to each year with anticipation -- build the strongest memories and carry the most meaning. Whether those…
While giving and generosity are character traits we cultivate in our family all year long, we like to focus on giving even more during the holidays as a way to offset the "gimme" mindset that so easily creeps in. We do this through giving not just money but our time, by investing in our community, by…
With less than 100 days until Christmas, the craziness of Pinterest at the holidays will soon be a reality. While I love Pinterest -- and love Christmas (obviously!) -- I am not a fan of "keeping up with the Joneses" or giving in to the pressure of expectations. At any time, really, but especially at the holidays.…
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13-14 This post might look familiar, and it's true that we run it every year, but I think it's important enough to repeat…
Christmas Eve is probably my favorite day of the entire holiday season. It's a day we pack full with rich, meaningful & fun traditions, and despite the crazyness that inevitably comes from four little girls who are hyped up on the excitement of Christmas, it's just lovely. It's only been in the last couple of…
We actually saved this activity for after Christmas last year so that we could buy a kit on clearance (because I'm frugal cheap like that), but we ended up having so much more fun than our previous attempts at gingerbread houses that I had to share this tip. I'm pretty sure we're not the only…
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, and this is one of my favorite ways to give each holiday season: We're blessed to have pediatricians whom we love, and since a scary experience with our third daughter several years ago, letting them know how much we appreciate them has been an important part of our holiday celebration. We…
As we kick off the holiday shopping season, a great way to help families in your own city and state is to volunteer to ring the Salvation Army bell. In our experience, the local coordinators are always looking for more volunteers! This is a fun and meaningful activity for kids, and children ringing the bell…
Happy Thanksgiving! It's a holiday, but the countdown must go on, and today's project is a fun printable for your family: First, a confession: We don't really "do" Santa at our house. He's a fun character, but we tend to treat him like Minnie Mouse or Dora or any number of other characters -- fun…