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Just in time for the holidays, The Old Schoolhouse� Magazine presents Christmas Greetings, our free 2011 digital holiday supplement.

Download your free copy of Christmas Greetings. Then spread the word and share the link with your homeschool group, friends, and family!

With our new Digital Edition, you will enjoy  all the great content from your favorite homeschool magazine, but in a new format--digital!   

 

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-Debbie, THM Reader

If you like The Homeschool Minute, you won't want to miss a single issue of
The Old Schoolhouse� Magazine!

  

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-Mary Joy, TOS Subscriber

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Molly's Money-Saving Digest for December 

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Greetings!

With Christmas just 12 days away, it's time to finalize all those last-minute gifts. And in these hard economic times, I love to find clearance deals or inexpensive homemade crafts. There are so many ways to give gifts, and I am sure you have a ton of ideas, so I am not sure I have much to offer-but here are some of mine for this year:

1. I hope to try decorative pillows for drop-in friends or hostess gifts or just extra gifts for those unexpected situations. I plan to go to the thrift store and find some really cheap, small pillows in holiday colors and then tie them with a big, festive ribbon and bow to look like a present. I found this idea here (scroll to slide 11).
2. The kids and I will be getting small wooden letters at a craft store in the last names of some of our family and friends, and some of the different names of Jesus, and will paint them with gold, silver, and other festive colors. Here's an example (slide 16), but I will tweak it a bit.
3. We always give once-a-year special treats, like that box of cereal we would never buy for the kids during the year, or those chocolate-covered gummi bears, or See's lollipops. For me, my special treat as a child was oranges; you can read my miracle orange story in the FREE TOS Christmas Supplement.
4. In fear of hearing it from Todd Wilson, I will quietly let you know that I give my kids educational things for Christmas. I always have, and I probably always will. I find them used but in good condition or buy them at clearance prices and put together special sets of favorite books and DVDs or related toys. Last year, one of my older boys received a Robinson Crusoe book on tape, a DVD and a collector's book that I put together as a set, which was his favorite gift. This year I have a couple of different sets in process.
5. My husband and I are thinking of doing things differently by giving the kids each only one special gift and then having our own family white elephant game after that. This is where each of us purchases only one gift (something we know someone in the family will enjoy) for the game rather than 10 separate gifts for each person in our family. That will save the kids money, as they always want to get gifts for each other. The kids love to play this game, as we allow three steals, and then trading at the end. So, if the 3-year-old gets a gift card and the 18-year-old ends up with a stuffed dinosaur, they can trade at the end and still enjoy the game.

We should also think outside the "Christmas" box and give gifts that are much more meaningful, and I must say, much more costly as well. We could give the gift of patience for that family member who tries our patience every year. We could give the gift of forgiveness for that child or friend or spouse who said that unkind word. We could give a special gift to that neighbor who doesn't understand us. We could give the gift of friendship to those hurting and lonely at this time of year. We could give the gift of time for those who need someone to listen. And, we could give the gift of the gospel to a lost and dying world. Not only could we, but we should, as these would be gifts fit for that Christmas baby we celebrate: our King Jesus. These are much more costly than those easily purchased gifts that are soon forgotten, but their effects could very well last a lifetime.

What about getting a gift for yourself? I suggest getting that very costly gift called wisdom. As one version of Proverbs 4:7 says, "Though it costs all that you have, get wisdom." Here is my gift to you on that subject: The Costly Pursuit of Wisdom.

We have 12 days of Christmas left. Instead of becoming stressed, let's pray that we will know and understand true wisdom, and that the Lord will show us which gifts He has ordained for the people in our lives.

TOS Senior Editor

It's Just Common Sense 

Ruth Beechick, Curriculum Specialist 

and

Debbie Strayer, Homeschool Consultant  

I have ornaments with my children's pictures in them. Ornaments that mark the growing of children or special events or trips and ornaments made by children. To me, all of these are the best gifts ever. Christmas gifts that mark the seasons in our lives and tell the story of our holiday celebrations demonstrate to our children how much the continuity of family means to us, and all the many ways we celebrate them as they grow up.

When my children were young, framed family pictures were our gifts to family members at least every other year. Over time, I have noticed that the family members do display them (or at least I see them when I am there!), giving my children another dose of how special the place is that they have in our family's history. This is not a me-centered self-esteem builder, but rather the telling of a story that is unique to each and every family. The reinforcement of the identity we pass to our children is part of our family heritage.

One year when I was visiting Dr. Beechick at her home in Denver, she pulled out an album of articles she had written and collected over the years. There was one that told about her childhood. I asked her about it, and she began to share beautiful stories of a childhood during the Great Depression, lived with her large family at home in Washington. As she was quick to point out, they didn't know they were deprived of anything, but filled their days with family and church, helping neighbors, chores, and playing with siblings and friends. Though they may not have had much materially, they had what they needed. As I listened, I heard about a great richness, though.

Ruth was raised to love God and to serve others. She didn't feel deprived because she wasn't focused on what she didn't have, she was focused on all that she did have. As I went home, I thought of the messages I was sending to my own children. Even though we honored Christ's birth, did we adequately appreciate the great gifts He had given us in our family? Did I truly believe that the unique situations and personalities in our family were God's perfect gift to me? If so, it affects my ability to love, serve, and appreciate those wonderful characters in my midst.

As you prepare for Christmas this year, start by acknowledging that the people you give gifts to and celebrate with are truly meant to be your gifts as well. Some may be a little quirky and rough around the edges (been there, done that!), yet they are still there to be loved and appreciated. Give gifts that show your love of family and reap the reward of a family that knows they are loved.

~ Debbie