Christmas Crafts for Kids eBook Review & Giveaway

Ok, I know Halloween has not happened yet and I am one of the first to complain about the stores having Christmas things up too early. However, I have the opportunity to review and giveaway a wonderful ebook by Beth Gordon of 123 Homeschool 4 Me called Christmas Crafts for Kids. One of the things I love about this book is it is written to help you keep Christmas and family in Christmas and not get into the commercialism of society. It is wonderful to help children focus on what really matters during the holiday season.

In this amazing book, Beth has a children's book for each day of December before Christmas. She also offers an alternative book in case you do not own or cannot find a copy of  the suggested book at the library. I was able to find one of the suggested books for each day at our local library if I did not already own it. Then she has several crafts and activities to go with each book (or day). These crafts and activities include things you can do as a family or one parent can do with a child or children. There are crafts, snacks, and activities including some charitable activities.

One book she shares is The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry. This is a scratch 'n sniff book, so I do not recommend getting it from the library. (We did, and all the scratch 'n sniff spots were used up.) One activity Beth suggests with this book is to make a plate of seasonal scents. We used what we had in the house (or outside for the pine needles) and did not stick directly with her suggestions. We also made a gingerbread cake for the scent and to enjoy. On our scent plate is a branch from an evergreen tree, peppermint extract, orange extract, cinnamon on a cotton ball and cloves. Hazel loved smelling this plate and continued to do so for several days (until I got rid of it).

Another story we used was The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg. This was the alternative book and the suggested book was J is for Jesus by Crystal Bowman, but we could not get it from our local library and could get The Legend of the Candy Cane. I am so glad we found this book. I love the message behind the whole story and it gives all the legends of the candy cane I have heard in one story (J-shaped for Jesus, shaped like a shepherd's hook, etc.) and it has the overall message about sharing them with the story of Jesus. It will be added to my must read every Christmas list. Along with many wonderful candy cane crafts, Beth suggested this wonderful snack of apple and banana slicing shaped as a candy cane. Hazel of course loved it since she LOVES fruit.

Another book is Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry. One of the many wonderful suggestions to go  with this book was a straw Christmas tree ornament. Hazel and I had a great time making these. We used the supplies we had already, so we did not have a gold sparkly pom pom for the top and our pom poms were a bit big, but we like it anyway. There were other crafts, snacks and an activity to go with this book.

So that gives you a bit of a sample of what Beth has put together. She offers you 24 days of books and activities as well as one alternative day in case you do not like either choice or cannot find either choice of her suggested books. Some of the books are focused about the religious meaning of Christmas and others are not. I know I plan on doing more with this great book once December comes. I hope you will take the time to check it out and enjoy your holiday season!

Now Beth has offered me a copy of her e-book to giveaway. Since it is e-mailed, it is open worldwide!! So here is your chance to win Christmas Crafts for Kids, just do as the Rafflecopter asks to enter and follow my Giveaway Rules (except it is open worldwide so you do not have to be in the USA). If you do not want to wait for the giveaway to end, you can purchase it for $9.99 here. (You can also buy a print copy there for $24.99.)

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