Our Family Christmas: Creating Meaningful and Memorable Christ-Centered Traditions by Christie Gardiner


I've looked at Christmas books before for ideas to celebrate the holiday with more meaning
and I've enjoyed them, but this one... Well, read my review below (there's a giveaway too!)...

Our Family Christmas:
Creating Meaningful and Memorable Christ-Centered Traditions
by Christie Gardiner
LDS Nonfiction, Christmas
Hardcover, 200 Pages
October 2nd 2017 by Covenant Communications, Inc.

Summary

Draw closer to the Savior as you set aside a few minutes each day to celebrate the season with your family using this inspiring, fun-filled countdown to Christmas as your guide. From Christmas songs to holiday stories to activities for old and young alike, this compilation of Christ-centered ideas is designed with one goal in mind: to bring families closer together and closer to Christ this holiday season. Whether you're taking a quick moment to connect or are engaging in a longer opportunity to create memories, the stories, recipes, activities, and music on these pages are just the beginning of faith-affirming togetherness for families of all ages and stages during the Christmas season.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

OUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS: CREATING MEANINGFUL AND MEMORABLE CHRIST-CENTERED TRADITIONS is a fantastic book for LDS families to use to countdown to Christmas, creating memories and joyful experiences as they go! The illustrations are classic Christmas (such as from Norman Rockwell), the days with activities and suggestions are well organized making it easy to find information, and the suggested ideas themselves are all Christ and family centered. The author also took the main idea for each day and broke it into what to accomplish if you have 1 hour, 20 minutes or 5 minutes so that if you have more time one day, you can do everything, but if the next you only have five minutes, you can still make that day meaningful in those few minutes. The idea of creating a journal as you go, is also beautiful. Highly recommended!

I loved this book! I loved how simple, but also full of meaning it is. I also loved the journal idea, to have family write down their favorite Christmas memories and create ones as they go. Each day starts with a quote, either from scripture or a church leader or other applicable quote, then a background story, then a way to apply that topic or theme in the time you have, then there's something to make (be it a craft or a treat), and a Christmas song at the end. I loved how so many of the ideas develop personal worth and growth individually and as a family. I also loved how some of them involved sharing with others, so that you're also spreading Christmas cheer. My only thought for a change would be a separate journal that could be used that comes with the book or separate pull-out pages that could be bound or put in a journal. That's the only thing I have to suggest. It is specific to those who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but could be used by any Christian. This is definitely a book we'll be using and reusing.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This is probably the best countdown/advent book I've seen for LDS families. I love the ideas and how it's organized. I can't wait to use it this year!

Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.

About the Author


Christie has enjoyed participating in speaking engagements across the country where she loves reminding groups of women that with God, they are not alone and are enough. Christie's heartfelt and quick-witted writing was first enjoyed in blog form on behalf of the Utah Jazz and Illume Gallery of Fine Art. Her performing career has spanned three decades in theater, television, film, commercials, podcasting and voiceover work. She is a longtime faculty member at the Utah Conservatory of Performing Arts where she inspires young people to increase their self-esteem through participation in the arts. She enjoys serving in her church's youth program. In her spare time you will find Christie with her husband and children, in nature or in the yoga studio teaching a class. She makes her home in Utah and occasionally, the Oregon coast.

You Are the Mother Your Children Need, is Christie's debut. Look for her next book, on shelves October 2017.


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