A Recipe for Christmas Joy Giveaway!

*give-away winner: coursengroup@.... Thanks for participating!

A few years ago when I first started reading blogs, I found Marybeth Whalen’s (Cheaper By the Half Dozen) and checked in just about everyday. When she announced her ebook, A Recipe for Christmas Joy, I knew I needed a copy! Knowing how much I love having a book in my hand, my husband even printed it out and spiral-bound it for me. I thoroughly enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) my Recipe for Christmas Joy. From decorations to desserts, it really helped me remember to keep the focus on Christ throughout this season bustling with activity.

One of the best take-away ideas in the book was the three present rule, based on the three gifts presented to Jesus by the wise men.

Marybeth writes,

“We started this years ago, and I love it! I tell my kids, ‘If it was good enough for Jesus, it is good enough for you!’ Who can argue with that? A good rule of thumb for this is based on the three gifts that Jesus received: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold is the frivolous or fun gift—the big ticket item they have their heart set on. Frankincense symbolized worship, so this is the spiritual growth gift—a Bible, a book on being a godly kid, a Christian video, or something of the sort. And finally, myrrh is the gift that symbolized death—what Jesus was sent to do. This gift is a practical gift around what the child’s bents or talents are. It could be special supplies for an artist or a microphone for a singer, etc. This could also be something practical like an item of clothing. Three items, plus gifts from family members, plus trinkets in their stockings is still far more than what many children in this world will see in their lifetime!

• Instead of more junky toys, suggest what I call ‘experience gifts’ from the grandparents. Experience gifts are great because they afford your kids an experience they will never forget-and most times the memories last much longer than the plastic toys that break or get lost.

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Isn't that a great idea? The three-present rule provided a good rule of thumb for our family, and I hope you’ll be inspired to adopt (or adapt) it for your family too. As I wrote yesterday, fewer gifts means we’ll most likely cherish what we are given more than if we received multiple gifts.

The three-present rule was just one of the goldmines I found in A Recipe for Christmas Joy!

Although I grew up in the Midwest, I’m a Southern cook at heart :). Marybeth has included pages of delicious holiday and anytime recipes: Tarheel pie, pumpkin bread (that makes three loaves at once), pumpkin crisp, cornbread dressing, corn pudding, slow cooker apple butter, our favorite pork roast recipe, even how to cook a turkey in the Crock-pot! Plus there’s a whole list of easy meal ideas for busy nights.

• There’s also a comprehensive list of great Christmas books to read to our children (I have placed a hold and checked many of these out from our library)
• Advent ideas and crafts
• decorating ideas and reminders that the celebration centers on Christ, not Santa. “If Jesus were to walk into your house at Christmastime, would He know that the celebration was all about Him?”
• Homemade frugal gift ideas: no sew fleece projects, gifts in a jar, homemade mixes
• Organizing the lead-up to Christmas (what to do week by week)
• Ideas for hosting holiday teas
• And much more!

Marybeth generously agreed to bless one lucky reader with a copy of A Recipe for Christmas Joy! To be entered to win, please leave a comment at this post, and I’ll draw a winner on Monday!

Visit Frugal Friday for more money-saving ideas!