The Sparkle Box - Book Review

The Sparkle Box is the perfect way to start a new family tradition, teach your kids to help others, and add more meaning to Christmas. 

We received a copy to review and the kids and I Loved it! I'm so excited to add this to our family traditions. Such a great way to teach kids to be compasionate givers, while also showing the love of Christ. 

At the beginning of the story you see The Sparkle Box  sitting on a fireplace mantle and a child asking him mom about it.Throughout the story you read about the child and his family and the various things they are doing to help out someone or some charity. Simple things like donating money or giving a homeless person some gloves. As the story progresses the child continues to ask about the sparkle box, but the parents tell him he has to wait until Christmas to open it.

Finally Christmas comes and the child gets to open The Sparkle Box , but there is nothing in it except slips of paper. On the slips of paper are each of the kind acts that the family has done during the month of December. The parents explain that these were their gifts to Jesus, helping others.

The book comes with The Sparkle Box  and you can do the same thing the family does in the story.

Christmas Gifts for Men

Wondering what to get your dad, brother, husband, or other man in your life this year for Christmas? Here are a few ideas to help get your started finding Christmas gifts for men.

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Dyker Heights Holiday Lights

If you plan on visiting New York City over the holidays, the Dyker Heights 

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7 Christmas books and activites

Here are 7 more Christmas books and activities that our family enjoys. These are a perfect way to interact with your kids throughout the month of December and change the focus from presents to the real meaning of Christmas.
A fun activity to do with kids.

Another kid friendly activity.

Christmas stories and poems by many famous authors.

Wonderful collection of Christmas stories.

A collection of poems, along with the history behind many Christmas traditions.

A fun book, especially for Boynton fans.

This book descibes a Mexican custom of reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for shelter the night Jesus was born.

6 Christmas Books to help you celebrate Christmas

There are many ways to prepare for Christmas. Here are some of the my Christmas books that we use for getting ready for Christmas. I attempt to keep the focus off of presents, but you know how that goes. But hey, as long as your try! Right?

I love all of Lisa Whelchel's books, including this one, which is quite different from many of her books. This book is a fun and handy guide that describes the significance behind your favorite traditions.

This is a daily Bible study for the month of November. Then is the month of December there are daily devotionals that reinforce your studies from November.  Lots of good practical steps.

An easy read full of fun and practical ho-to tips! This book will help you discover new ways to make your Christmas bright.

Discover the joyous message of Christmas through the delightful antics of Oscar the Christmas Lizard. This book makes for a great bedtime story.

The inspirational story of our favorite Christmas candy.

I love Liz Curtis Higgs books and was so pleased to discover she had kids books. This book tells the heartwarming tale of a farmer and his family who nurture seedlings into fragrant Christmas trees.

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Disneyland's It's a Small World Holiday video

Disneyland's iconic ride It's a Small World is transformed during the holidays with loads of Christmas decorations!

Conservatory at Bellagio decorated for Christmas

With each season the Bellagio hotel and casino in Las Vegas changes the decorations inside their conservatory. I always pop in here on my Las Vegas Vacation because it's always changing. Here are pictures of their Christmas decorations.






















Nearby is the world's largest chocolate fountain.



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Macy's Christmas Windows - New York City

While we were in New York City in December 2011 we happened to walk right by Macy's.  I had heard about the Macy's Christmas windows, but didn't know much about them.  I was quite impressed at how elaborate they are.  These are some video I took of some of the windows.  The first part is two windows that are just decorated and the rest are moving and telling a story.

Visit 6 New York attractions for just $79.00 CityPass price - $164.00 value!
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