Day 3 -Christmas Movie Marathon - Seven Christmas Movies for Christmas Week

Our family likes to watch Christmas movies together during the Christmas season.  Even if I'm too busy to sit down and actually pay attention, I like to hear my favorite movies playing in the background while I'm baking or wrapping presents.  So here's a list to get you through this last week of the season. Note: I only included family friendly movies.  If I were to include a list for older children and/or grown ups, I would include Family Man and A Christmas Story.  In addition, I will be posting a family discussion guide as an extra post daily in case some of you would like to use these movies as a catalyst to spur on Christ centered discussions with your children.

Night #1 - A feast for the eyes!  What a beautiful job this movie does in bringing the audience into a Dr. Seuss world!!  The costumes, makeup, hairstyles, and sets are AMAZING!  Jim Carrey does a remarkable job and makes me laugh every time.  What a great way to kick off the Christmas week.

Night #2 -
The beautifully illustrated book becomes a beautifully animated movie.  I love how this movie captures the "dreamy" feel of the book reminding the audience of that vivid moment between sleep and wakefulness.  Great movie to watch right before going to bed.








Night #3 - Elf is such a fun movie.  It's definitely my favorite Will Farrell movie, seeing that many of his movies are inappropriate for families, (and some adults too!).  It's always a big hit with children to see a grown up acting childlike.











Night #4 - I know it might sound silly, but I cry every time I watch this.  The simplicity of the presentation of the Christmas story is so beautiful.  Plus, I also get inspired by Charles Schulz's boldness to present the Gospel.










Night #5 - I am not a part of the "I hate Home Alone because it shows a disrespectful kid" group.  Isn't that the lesson he learns?  I think there are a lot of great lessons for children in this movie, and it still makes me laugh my head off!










Night #6 - I suppose if you have to you can get this movie in color for the kids.  I like it better in black and white.  This is my all time favorite movie - ever.  Love, love, love it.  My favorite line - "Worse, he's discouraged."  Sooo many discipleship opportunities here.









Day #7 - What better way to end your Christmas Eve than by watching this beautiful version of the nativity story?  I find that the reality and simplicity of this production is a miracle on film.  I like it almost as much as the Passion of Christ.  Beautiful way to focus your Christmas on the reason for the season.

Day 2 of 12 Buy Yourself and Someone Else A Book to Get You Started For a New Year

I love to read.  For the most part I love to read fiction, but there are a few non-fiction books I've read that have really changed my life.  Everyone looks for a new diet, a new way to organize, and new devotional etc for the new year.  I think in many ways this is a healthy thing.  We all love a fresh start.  Fresh starts bring new hope and momentum.

Here is a short list of books I've been impacted by that will help you start out the new year ready for anything!

Celebration of Discipline is always the first non-fiction book I recommend.  Richard Foster wrote this book over twenty years ago, but its classic content never grows old.  He touches on the disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting just to name a few.  I love Foster's writing style and his use of the old classical authors from Augustine to Bonhoeffer.  I regularly purchase this book for my friends and Christian leaders.  This book would make an excellent gift for someone in the ministry.







This is such a devotional classic.  Oswald Chambers brings your walk with God into every nook and cranny of your life, and does it without judgment or guilt.  Instead he brings hope to the reader that spiritual transformation is definite when we trust God for change.

If you've never gone through this daily devotional it is a MUST!!







This book is an excellent guide especially for the person who can never say no.  Gordon MacDonald shares his tips on how to manage each portion of your life so that you can be balanced and honor God through every responsibility you have.










If you're looking for a great new devotional for the year.  Look no further.  Especially if you like in-depth Bible study.











I Dare You!  Challenges you from the first.  William Danforth, the founder of Purina, asks you to commit to reading through this booklet in one sitting.  This is a great book for a college and career person.  Someone just starting out in the world.  Some of the lessons are a little dated, but that just makes the book charming...









Do Hard Things is the ultimate book gift for a young person.  Authors Brett and Alex Harris, (brothers to Joshua Harris author of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye") challenge young people to rebel.  Yes, I said rebel.  But rather than rebelling against parents, God and church leaders, these insightful young men encourage young people to rebel against low standards and expectations.  How refreshing!  They are also the authors of a very successful blog.  This book is life changing!!

Twelve Days of Christmas Delayed - Taking a Break From Christmas

http://changents.com;
I am so pleased to be a part of the P & G Give Health Project!  Here is how it works:  By simply clicking the widget and typing your e-mail address, P & G will give away one day of clean water to a person in need.  After clicking this you will receive an e-mail, you must verify for the process to go through.  So basically, by clicking twice, you enable someone to have clean water today!  Yay! You can do this once a day, so I'll be including this widget at the top of each of my daily entries of Daily Deals.  This is a really cool way to make a difference to so many in need.  Pass along the link to my blog so that we can donate as much clean water as possible!!  I'm grateful that God provides seed for the sower.  Thanks P & G for providing a way for us to make a difference.

Because of after Christmas sales, I've decided to start my 12 days of Christmas seemingly a little delayed.  There is a method to my madness!!

As the first of my twelve days of Christmas begins, I'd like to suggest that you do something crazy today.  Don't look on line for deals, in fact don't go shopping at all if you can help it.  Don't wrap presents.  Don't daydream about the kids opening that "one" present.  Instead, find someone who is a shut in, or lonely.  Find a person who can't decorate their own home, or do their own baking.  Give some of your time to someone you wouldn't ordinarily spend time with.

I find that the Christmas season becomes an endless list of things to do and get done.  It's very easy to get self centered.  Even the things you are doing for others translates into focusing on how you're going to get something done for your Christmas plans.  Take a break from your Christmas plans and invest into someone else's.  Maybe you have an elderly neighbor who needs some help baking or decorating.  Maybe you know a new mom who needs someone to make the "ultimate" sacrifice and go to Toys 'R Us for her.  Whatever the case may be, taking a day off of being mindful of your holiday plans and focusing on helping someone else with theirs will allow you to have a Christmas Revival, a surge of cheer and good will toward men.

Daily Deals 12/10/10

FREE WRAPPING AND MASCARA AT WALGREENS!!!!

Okay, so your holiday planning should be winding down...Here's a sweet idea on how to wrap it up!  If your unsure how Walgreens works, it's pretty easy.  I'll be writing a post on it soon.  They will often give something called Register Rewards for certain purchases.  These rewards are either good for another purchase at Walgreens (with certain restrictions), or they also take them at Jewel (with fewer restrictions).

If you didn't know, Hallmark has a deal with Walgreens this week.  If you buy two of their cards, you'll receive $2 back in Jingle Bucks, or buy 6 of their cards and get $5 back in Jingle Bucks.  (Jingle Bucks are Register Rewards with a new name.  The only difference is that they have a shorter time limit and the starting time begins a week from purchase.)  Here are some deals that Hip2Save.com and her readers came up with...

Buy (6) six Hallmark white tissue paper 20 ct. @ $0.99 ea. = $5.94
Use the 3/$1 coupon in the Walgreens advertisement (they have extras in the front of your store)
This will deduct $3.94
Pay $2 plus tax
Get $5 RR
About a $3 Money Maker!!!

It has been reported that Hallmark wrapping paper is also included in the deal.  The exciting this is that Walgreens is also offering $5 Jingle Bucks for any purchase over $25...So check out these deals...

Buy 2 Hallmark wrapping papers on sale for Buy 1 @ $1.99 get one free.  (see ad to help you identify)
Get $2 back in Jingle Bucks (for buying 2 Hallmark products)
Final cost FREE!!!

OR

Buy 2 Hallmark wrapping papers on sale for Buy 1 @ $1.99 get one free.
Buy 4 Hallmark tissue papers @ $0.99 ea.
Use the 3/$1 in ad coupon (this will deduct $3.94.)
Pay $3.32
Get $5 back in Jingle Bucks (for buying 6 Hallmark products)
You've just made money on the deal!


Or the granddaddy of deals:


Buy 2 L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum on sale for $9.99 get one for 50% off (The sign may say $12.99, but it should ring up $9.99)
Buy 6 Hallmark white tissue papers @ $0.99 ea.
Total $20.92
Use 3/$1 in ad coupon
Use 2 $2/1 Serum coupons found here
Use $3/1 L'Oreal product in the Walgreens Bright and Beautiful guide (found in the front of the store with the ads.)
Pay $6.98
Get back $5 in Jingle Bucks for spending over $25 before sales and coupons.
Get $5 more back for purchasing 6 Hallmark items
Final cost FREE! PLUS A $3.02 MONEY MAKER!!

Daily Deals - 12/9/10

Bath and Body Works $10 of $10!!!

Bath & Body Works has an exciting deal!  You can score a gift set for $5.99 shipped!  Yay!  This is how it works:  Choose one of the gift sets for $10.  Then use this code -   F102785 at check out for $10 off $10 or more.  Basically you're only paying for shipping.  You can make this deal even sweeter by going through ShopAtHome!  You'll earn 4% back on any Bath & Body Works purchase.  Just enter here to get started!

Botanic Choice 75-85% off, Plus free shipping, Plus free bag, Plus 19% back!!

As you all know, my favorite shopping website is Hip2Save.com.  This morning, Colin posted this great deal. Botanic Choice has a great deal right now.  They have many items reduced by 75-85% right here.  Even better, you can score FREE shipping and a FREE eco-friendly canvas bag by entering this code:   W5B203 in the webcode box.  She scored 3 mg of copper 3 for $0.75, plus she got the free bag!

PLUS, right now, if you go through ShopAtHome.com you'll score 19% back.  You may want to stock up on your herbal and vitamin needs!

Yankee Candle High Value Coupon and Bed Bath and Beyond Deal!

I love candles!  Yankee Candles are one of my favorites!  Go here and you can print a high value $10 off $25 coupon.  This coupon is good until December 24th, so you can use it right up until your last minute shopping.  However, Bed Bath and Beyond has Yankee Candles for 25% off right now, PLUS some locations will let you use one of their 20% coupons from your Sunday coupon inserts.  If you spend $30 at BBB, you'll also score a free candle.  Don't delay!  Tell me about your deal in the comments section.

Decorating Your Tree On A Budget

Every few years our family tends to have some type of "natural" theme to our Christmas tree.  This year it seems to be pine cones.  They look like they belong in our tree.   :)  Maybe God knew what He was doing!  I found a bowl of pine cones this morning and our tree looked a little bare.  Some of the pine cones had been dipped in glitter, others were just plain, but they were the perfect finishing touch to this year's tree, not to mention that they are very inexpensive if not FREE!

A few years back, my children were making crafts in order to earn money for Christmas.  We took shells which we had purchased from the dollar store and brushed a little glue on them. Then we hot glued a gold ribbon loop and voile!  we had a very tropical looking tree.  (In addition we had an open house and the children sold many of their ornaments.)

Candy canes can also be a nice filler, especially if you have a childhood themed tree.  When my children were younger we also strung popcorn and cranberries.

The point is, that if you look around you, there are all kinds of beautiful things to bring in and decorate not only your tree, but your entire home.  If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you aren't seeing much beauty, maybe your beholder needs to get a renewed outlook!

Leave ideas you might have about inexpensive and unusual holiday decorations in the comment section.

Daily Deals - 12/8/10

Dynamic fundraising meter for your Red Kettle campaign.

Aveda has a great deal today!  You can choose 5 free samples PLUS you'll get free shipping with any order over $25.

Snapfish has a totally cool deal!  BOGO on a classic Wall Calendar!  Yay~  PLUS  if you login through ebates, you'll earn 10% cash back!!

If you're looking for a laptop, Staples a great deal!  Go here for a $50 off coupon on a Toshiba laptop, or here for $50 off a Dell computer.  You may have to be a Staples Reward Member, but that's free and easy to sign up!