We’ve been focusing on giving this Christmas and that is why the Big Book of Character was a perfect story to read before we got started on our simple neighbor gifts. There are so many great stories in this book including; Chipmunk’s Charity, Courage Isn’t Crazy, Humble Before A Tumble, Bad Company, and Kindness Moves the Bear. Each story features character building reflection questions and Bible verses at the end.

Can you guess which one we read? We also made an acorn ornament that went along with it and attached those to our snack bags.

Simple Gifts for Neighbors

One of the most important aspects of this activity was where the gifts came from. First, the ornaments were handmade and the kids spent an hour or so making them. Second, the snacks were purchased with money they had earned for working around the house. That made these gifts very meaningful for the kids. To them, it was quite the investment.

They really had a lot of fun stamping their bags and talking about what they were going to put on them and why. This gave the gifts a personal touch and I’m sure the neighbors will notice because they aren’t exactly picture perfect.

I helped hole punch the bags and tie the ribbon on them with their handmade acorn ornaments.

Maybe the neighbors will think they are as cute as I do! However, the ornaments represent the kids sharing what they have with others.

I explained to the kids before we went out that although our neighbors may not be in need, everyone can use a little charity to help brighten up their day. Also, by putting Jesus loves you on the snack bags, we were sharing God’s word. Most people could use more of that in their lives so the kids were even more excited to hand them out!

Do you give gifts to your neighbors for Christmas?

Need more help getting your kids focused on the true meaning of Christmas?

We have all sorts of fun activities, recipes and family fun that are inspired by a Children’s Christmas book that share the real meaning of Christmas! Make sure to follow along, you can take a look at the schedule over at Inspired by Familia blog.

Here are our fabulous bloggers and their books:
Inspired by Family – the Christmas Cookie
Meaningful Mama – The Crippled Lamb,
Teaching Mama – The Legend of the Candy Cane
Beautiful Messy Motherhood – A Carol for Christmas,
Happy Home Fairy – M is for Manger
Simple home Blessings – Who is Coming to Our House?
The Chaos and the Clutter – I Spy Christmas
Creative Family Fun – The Birds of Bethlehem
Sunshine Whispers!

The post Simple Gifts for Neighbors to Help Kids Learn About Charity first appeared on True Aim.

Chipmunk Charity

This ornament was inspired by a story from the Big Book of Character. Here is a little summary and why these acorn ornaments are so special!

There once was a busy Squirrel who was hard at work collecting acorns for the winter. As he was searching he bumped into something. At first he thought it was just a rock, but then he heard the sobs of a chipmunk. All of chipmunks food she had stored was stolen by a racoon and she didn’t know what to do. Squirrel was too worried about himself to help, but he assured her someone would probably help her and scurried off to hide his bounty. As he stuffed acorns into a hole in a tree stump, he worried that the chipmunk might have followed him and spied his secret hiding place. He thought he should secure it with a large rock, but as he was moving it another animal was watching.

Racoon offered his assistance to Squirrel and proceeded to lift up the rock and eat all of the acorns! Poor squirrel watched in dismay and gave up all hope of surviving winter after that. He laid down and closed his eyes as the first snow started to fall. There was a light blanket covering him as who would happen to bump into him, but Chipmunk!

Will she leave him to fend for himself like he did to her? I think you can guess, but if you want to read the whole story, you can download it for just 1 dollar or buy the whole collection of 5 different stories in paperback. Each story features reflection questions and a Bible verse or two that goes with the story. Like Hebrews 13:16 for Chipmunk Charity, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Kid Made Acorn Ornament

Before I came up with this one, I had the kids try to make an ornament with yarn, glue and balloons. Let’s just say, it didn’t go so well. So, I came up with this one on a whim. Pipe cleaners and wooden beads were the only things left in my craft drawer that went together and I love how the acorn ornaments turned out!

They are so easy and just gorgeous. Definitely a memorable ornament for your Christmas tree.

To prepare for the craft, you’ll need to cut the pipe cleaners. You’ll need one full length pipe cleaner for the acorn cap and one cut about 3/4ths length. The 3/4ths length pipe cleaner will be the one that the kids put beads on. You can also cut some short pieces to decorate the acorn cap if you’d like, but you don’t have to.

You may want to try and make a model ornament first so your children can see an example. Have your kids string the beads onto the 3/4ths length pipe cleaner, leaving room on both ends to attach to the cap.

Form the cap of the acorn ornament by putting both ends together and twisting about 2 inches down for the stem. Then put your thumb and pointer finger in between the folded part of the pipe cleaner and extend your fingers to make an elongated oval shape.

Attach the shorter, beaded pipe cleaner to the acorn cap by twisting the end onto the bottom. You can then add shorter pieces of pipe cleaners to decorate the acorn cap.

Hang the kid made acorn ornament on your tree and remind your children that no matter how little we have, we can always share it.

What to see more kid-made ornaments inspired by books?

Check these out:

Teach Beside Me – Christmas Music Tree

The Life of Jennifer Dawn – Patchwork Ornament

Kitchen Floor Crafts – Polar Bear Ornament

Arty Crafty Kids – Twig Christmas Tree

10 Days of a Kid-Made Christmas Series!

The post Teach About Charity with Kid Made Acorn Ornament first appeared on True Aim.

I cannot believe it is almost Christmas! It seems that we were just celebrating the new year a few months ago. Christmas can be a time to slow down our busy schedules and prioritize what is most important in our life.

Make the countdown to Christmas more purposeful this year with these 24 free printable cards. There are three pages of eight cards. Print the cards and cut them out. Stick these cards in a jar and pull one out every day during December, until Christmas time!

Christmas Countdown Activities

1. Build something
2. Play a game
3. Tell a story
4. Read a book
5. Try a new recipe
6. Do a project
7. Sing Christmas carols
8. Have a movie night
9. Do something nice
10. Make sugar cookies (Pinterest has great inspiration for unique twists on regular sugar cookies)
11. Decorate a wreath
12. Attend a Christmas bazaar or craft show
13. Make homemade Christmas cards
14. Make snowmen
15. Have an indoor camping trip
16. See Christmas lights
17. Have a fancy dinner
18. Watch Christmas movies
19. Go sledding (or skiing!)
20. Make a warm drink
21. Play charades
22. Have a gift swap
23. Bake cookies for firefighters
24. Make puppy chow

Download your Free Christmas Cards Here!

The post 24 Day Christmas Countdown for Families – Free Printable first appeared on True Aim.

My dad taught me to fold my first Origami crane and I was hooked ever since. I’ve always loved the amazing things you can create with just paper and your hands. This Christmas, fold up some Origami Heart Cards for gifts and make them into ornaments so your loved ones can hang your messages on their tree.

I’ve been making a lot of gifts lately. First, some felt gift bags, then apple butter, now I’m making a pie and a note for a dear friend thanks to the #BICMerryMarking booklet of ideas. I didn’t want to make just any old note. I wanted it to be a gift itself.

Do you remember passing notes in school and kids would come up with all sorts of ways to fold them. That’s why I just knew an origami note would be perfect for this. So, I found this awesome tutorial on how to make a Origami Heart Card.

There is a free printable template included but I just used regular card stalk paper, made the first fold and cut off the extra paper on top. The card stalk will hold up better if you are making an ornament out of the card, but regular paper works better if you are just doing a regular note.

The heart card has a beautiful design on the back so it will look pretty on the tree. Then you can write a heart felt message on the front and a holiday greeting on the inside with your BIC Mark-It permanent marker in #PrairieBerry. It goes perfectly with my Pear Berry pie.

To make it into an ornament, I just used a hole punch and tied some string around it. I am definitely making more of these in different colors for other friends and family.

This was such a fun project, so I’m nominating 3 other people to join me; my Aunt Angela, Cousin Caitlin, and friend Amy, you’ve been chosen!  There are many more ideas in the BIC Merry Marking Booklet. To see another project in the Challenge, check out my Holiday Drink Stirrers.

Are you joining in the Merry Marking challenge? What are you going to make? Be sure get the booklet of merry marking and a coupon to start marking

The post Origami Heart Card Ornament first appeared on True Aim.

16 years ago, I made a similar one for my Aunt Julie.  She still has it!  So, although some kid-made ornaments are fun for just one year, this one is definitely a keeper.

How to Make Beaded Christmas Tree Ornaments

First, gather your supplies.  You’ll need some wire, beads that fit on your wire, and some card stock or something that is cone shaped.  Audrey tried 16 gauge wire and seed beads for her first tree and we found some bigger wire to work with larger beads.  We found that if you use the big beads on the smaller wire, your tree won’t hold it’s shape.

Emma (3) had a harder time with the tiny beads.  Although she could do it, she wasn’t as interested.  So, I gave her some pipe cleaners and pony beads instead.

Audrey was diligent and worked hard on her ornament.  She strung all the beads on the wire and I wrapped it around a cone shape to make them into Christmas trees.

Emma’s turned out great too, I just wish we would have used longer pipe cleaners.

There are so many different ornaments you could make with this technique.  I think a beaded star or cross would look great too!

So what kind of homemade Christmas ornaments did you make this year?  Need some more ideas?  This year I’ve joined with 50 other bloggers to bring you hundred’s of homemade ornament ideas for kids.  Here are the other fabulous bloggers posting their ornaments today:

Sugar Aunts

The Life of Jennifer Dawn

To check out all the homemade ornaments just click the image below!

For more Christmas Inspiration, like me on Facebook or follow me on Pinterest.  Thanks for your support!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

The post Homemade Beaded Christmas Tree Ornaments for Kids first appeared on True Aim.

Welcome to Mom’s Library!

Filled with parenting tips, activities for young children, crafts, devotionals, recipes, and more!

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Follow the Mom’s Library Pinterest Board to see all of our featured posts.
Make sure you check out last week’s Mom’s Library for DIY Advent Calendar Ideas!

This Week’s Featured Posts…

Sparkly Tinsel

I love these ornaments because they are so unique and the supplies are things I have around the house.

Easy Photo Ornaments

 Make some for gift tags too!  What’s better than a great memory?

Use Clothespins

These little guys are so cute, but your kids could decorate the clothespins with anything and they would look great!

Easy Garland

2 ideas for easy christmas garland.  Decorate outdoor trees and feed the birds with popcorn garland!

Sandpaper Christmas Trees

When you color on these with crayons, they create a really cool mossy look.

Salt Dough and Melted Beads

Create a stained glass effect with these ornaments!

Handmade Scented Ornaments

I like the natural look of these scented wreaths!

Make Some Whimsical Birdies

I have a thing for bird ornaments!

Pom Pom Christmas Trees

Craft sticks are good for so many things!

Tissue Paper Baubles

Use some of your gift wrapping for this beautiful ornament!

4 More Simple Handmade Ornaments!

Get the same kind of ornament to decorate and turn them into 4 unique designs.

Check out this fabulous series for even more ideas!

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If you were featured please grab a button.

  

The post 14 Handmade Christmas Ornaments for Kids and Mom’s Library #73 first appeared on True Aim.

A tradition started a couple years back.  My daughters make handmade Christmas cards in a stack.  There easy, you’ll see, and fun to do.  There’s no reason your children can’t make up a few.

Line up your supplies all in a row!  Card materials are listed below.  There are directions included to guide you through, but you can make them any way you want to.

Handmade Christmas Ornament Cards

You’ll need cardstock, scrapbook paper, scissors and glue; cardboard, coloring supplies, sequins or glitter too.  There’s just one more thing; don’t forget!  Print off this ornament template and you’re all set!

Cut those ornaments out to start.  Then decorate until they look smart.  Audrey used strips of colored paper and tin, glued sequins on, then held it up with a grin.

Next it was Emma’s turn to decorate, she thought blue and green would look great!

Maybe some pink would make it complete.  So she drew some designs and made it look sweet!

The final step was to make the card pop.  So, we added some cardboard and glued the ornament on top.

They’re made from the heart; people will know it’s true.  So they’ll look great, no matter what your children do.

Start a new tradition this year, and spread a little Christmas cheer.  With a handmade card that is so easy to make, you can’t go wrong for goodness sake!

Need more ideas for a handmade card?  The one we made last year isn’t too hard.

Don’t forget to follow me, on Facebook and Pinterest for lots more to see!

Merry Christmas!

The post Christmas Crafts for Kids: Handmade Christmas Ornament Cards first appeared on True Aim.

Welcome to Mom’s Library!

Filled with parenting tips, activities for young children, crafts, devotionals, recipes, and more!

Be sure to subscribe so don’t miss the next Library!
Follow the Mom’s Library Pinterest Board to see all of our featured posts.
Make sure you check out last week’s Mom’s Library for Thanksgiving Learning Activities

This Week’s Giveaway!

Your Choice of a Craft Set from CraftProjectIdeas.com, 2 Winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This Week’s Featured Posts…

DIY Build a Bug Magnet Set

Children of all ages would enjoy playing with this magnet set and it’s so easy to make yourself!

Busy Boxes

If you know a mom with lots of little ones, make her some busy box/bag sets and she’ll love you forever!  Check out this DIY dry erase busy box idea!  It will keep little hands busy for quite awhile.

Sight Word Learning Magnets

I am really loving these magnet sets!  This one is educational and includes games.  If you save those magnet ads that come on phonebooks, they are so cheap to make!

5 Simple Christmas Crafts For Young Children

These are all just so cute, meaningful, and perfect to give to grandparents!

6 Gifts Girls Can Make to Give to Their Friends

My favorites from this post are the hair clips and duct tape pens.  We will definitely be trying some of these!

Do you make gifts for your family and friends?  What do you make?  Please leave a comment!

Would you like to participate?

If you were featured please grab a button.

  

Linking up Here

The post Easy DIY Gift Ideas Kids Can Make and Mom’s Library #71 first appeared on True Aim.

Welcome to Mom’s Library!

Check back again and again to see the new posts!

Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next Library!

Follow the Mom’s Library Pinterest Board to see all of our featured links.

For even more inspiration check out the last Mom’s Library!

Check out my fellow Librarians, Hey Mommy Chocolate Milk and
Chicken Babies for more features like
10 Second Snowflake Ornaments and Dart Physics!

If you are looking for more gift ideas, make sure you check out
this amazing Gift Guide!

This Week’s Featured Posts…

Handmade Holly Jolly Notepads 

An easy Christmas craft from Crafty Journal.  I can’t wait to try these with my preschool kids.

No Knit Scarf 

Head over to Ever Never Again to learn how to make this awesome scarf.  If you love to Knit and Crochet you will want to check out the other 4 scarf tutorials she has for some quick Christmas gifts.

Snowman Kisses 

From the Crafty Blog Stalker, these would make great gifts for co-workers or neighbors.

You could try your own version with red Tic Tacs and make them Rudolph Kisses? 

Handmade Heat Pack 

I love these and use them all the time for back pain and to keep my babies feet warm at night.

Lolly Pop Bouquet 

A cute idea for any occasion from The Bowdabra Blog.

Book Lover Bookmark 

A unique gift inspired by Alice in Wonderland by Crafty Little Gnome

Toddler I Spy Bottles 

I’ve seen these everywhere.  Now, you can make your own thanks to House of Woyaks.

Butter Bun Recipe 

These look like homemade Rhodes dinner rolls.  Head over to Family Home and Life to see the step by step recipe and directions. 

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The post Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas and Mom’s Library #23 first appeared on True Aim.

First, you will need these supplies, plus some tape would be wise.

Turn the paper around and rub left to right.

 Add some sparkles to make it merry and bright.

“Wow Audrey, that card looks great!”

 Inside of the card I let her decorate

There you have it, don’t you see?

A Christmas card with a beautiful tree!

Do you like to make Christmas crafts with your kids?

Would you like to buy these? I am taking bids.

Just kidding.  We had so much fun making our cards that my daughter wanted to make even more!  And that’s fine with me, then I don’t have to buy any.  The only problem you might have is keeping a creative kid in the house.  I did!  Audrey wanted to search for all different kinds of leaves to make different leaf patterns.  I think it would be fun to try pine needles or ferns.  You could even cover the card with your leaf patterns and place a festive holiday greeting over it.

Do you have any Christmas traditions?  I would love to hear about it. Please leave a comment below.

You can find more crafty inspiration and share yours at Mom’s Library.

Want to give your child a head start?

Check out my advanced Preschool Curriculum.

The post Christmas Crafts for Kids: Handmade Christmas Tree Cards first appeared on True Aim.