How to keep the main thing the main thing

Before Justin and I even had kids we discussed how we would do Christmas. Obviously we wanted the magic and fun of the Christmas season to be experienced, but we wanted it to be more than that.  We implemented a few things before Inara came.  Her first Christmas home she was only a month old, so we didn't do much. Even the next Christmas she was really too young to do meaningful things with.

So last year when I stumbled upon a new little ebook Truth in the Tinsel. I was really excited. Even though Inara was only 2 we had a great time. The reason why I am bring it up again, is because it really is awesome.  And tomorrow is the first day to make your ornament. Here are the main reasons I love it:

1. You can do little prep work. She does all the work for you. It combines a craft each day with some scripture. She gives you scripture, a craft, and even a craft list.  Seem like too much? Last year I thought so too, but I just had to realize its not about having the perfect ornaments or even good looking ones :)  And this year Amanda makes it even easier with printable "ornaments" to use each day. 

2. It focuses on real reason for the Christmas season.  Each day there is a craft but also scripture to tell the real story. I was so thankful to have a daily reminder of what Christmas celebrates. It was good to start Inara off learning about Jesus, and it was a good reminder for me too in the midst of all the busyness of December.

3. It is quick. As a working mom, this was a really great aspect for me. There were (and are) days where we aren't home for very long.  If I had more time that day I could go in more depth with our discussion and craft time, and if not we still could have a meaningful and fun time in a few minutes.  And there are smaller plans if doing one every day is daunting to you. There is a 2 week plan and a 1 week plan too.

4. It is cheap. Truth in the Tinsel is $7.99 and the Printable Ornaments are $3.99.  If you buy both its only $11.98 and well worth it to us even when money was (and is) a little tight.  I wanted some grand advent calendar or wreath, but I was more than please with this book

Did you do Truth in the Tinsel last year? Will you try it out this year? Or how does your family keep the main thing the main thing?

Truth in the Tinsel

Last year we did the "Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands" with Inara and it was awesome. I am really excited to do it this year with her as she is older. I am really excited to help her celebrate (and for me too also focus on) the REAL reason of Christmas.  This year Amanda has even made it simpler for busy, crafty impaired, working moms. She has made easy printable ornaments too that you just printout, color, and hang! You can read the review I wrote last year.

This year on Black Friday she is offering the printable ornaments (normally $3.99) for free when you purchase the book ($7.99). I would definitely buy it, last year I even bought a few copies for some friends! This year she has it in spanish too and even a church curriculum.  (Amanda was a Children's Pastor before she had kiddos of her own).

Click on the link at the top of my post or the button in my side bar to purchase. I seriously can't recommend it enough and just typing this I am thinking of a few more people I'll probably buy it for this year too. If you do buy it here are some details from Amanda:

A few details:
1. Customers do not have to add the ornaments to their shopping cart. If they do, they will pay for them. And I will not be offering refunds.
2. Within the initial "thank you" email from Paypal/Ejunkie/Me they will receive a link to the free printable ornaments.
3. Coupon codes will be disabled on this day only. They will be reinstated bright and early Friday morn'. {eastern time}
4. I will have detailed instructions on the "buy the book" page