Christmas Around Our House Part 3…The Christmas Angel
A few years ago folks started using The Elf on the Shelf for Christmas. I thought it was cute, but we do not do Santa Claus so we skipped that. I had wished that I could find an alternative. Well someone has come out with one! The Christmas Angel. I am so excited to add this to our traditions this year. You can buy one HERE. Here is the story of how the Christmas Angel came about from their website :).
The Christmas Angel
As a parent there is nothing more exciting than watching your little ones get hyped-up about Christmas. You anxiously wait for this moment, from the time they are born…and then that special time finally arrives. Your children become eager to help put up the Christmas tree, string up colorful outdoor lights, and listen to catchy Christmas tunes. This is our story; this is our tale to tell: Our oldest daughter was four years old, and our middle son was three, and they were pumped for what Christmas had in store. As any good parent would do, we thought of all the possible fun and creative traditions we could start with our children. We specifically wanted ideas that would make an impact on their childhood. STRESS!!! We scattered our memories of our own personal childhood traditions, and also discussed with our closest friends, what they did for their children. On a four hour car trip to the coast, my husband and I started brainstorming. We talked about Santa, elves, making homemade candies and cakes, but there was one thing we both agreed on. We wanted to teach our children the true meaning of Christmas, and instill in them values that would last a lifetime. Before you know it, The Christmas Angel idea literally fell into our laps! I jotted our creative thoughts onto a notepad that I was using for last minute gift ideas. The concept was certainly God-inspired, and this inspiration will stay in our hearts forever.
What an amazing opportunity we have as parents to instill values and principles into our children. The Christmas season is about a precious story to celebrate a gift that none of us deserve, but have an opportunity to receive. The birth of Jesus is the greatest example of love. So how can we show the same love to others? Simply by putting others before ourselves. We should help our children focus on giving rather than receiving, for that is the true spirit of Christmas.
So how do you use the Angel? These are just some ideas, you are free do change them or do what you would like instead :).
First, it is fun to take the Angel and hide her and use her “gold” dust that comes with the angel to leave clues. YOu can do this many ways from making cards with the clues to having a tin lid and writing in the dust and just changing the clue each day.
1. Bake cookies for a neighbor or someone else
2. Make homemade gifts and bless someone with them
3. Offer to help someone elderly with a chore
4. Offer to help a military family with chores especially if you know Dad is deployed 🙂
5. Send boxes to the troops for Christmas, keep in mind shipping dates for overseas so this may be one you would want to do EARLY!
6. Do a good deed for a sibling
7. Go Caroling
8. Give Dad or Mom a back rub
9. Do a good deed for a grandparent or make them something
10. Volunteer time in a soup kitchen
These are just a few ideas, there are so many others that could be added to this list! The important thing is, that this is an exciting way to teach our children, it is better to give then it is to receive. Keeping the true meaning of Christmas alive. If you want more information about The Christmas Angel, you can visit their website at The Christmas Angel or buy one from my affiliate store HERE.
In Christ,
Laura
