Advent - Books & Bible Verses

While scouring Pinterest for holiday ideas to try, I came across a great idea by TSJ Photography... books and Bible verses.  As many of you may know, we absolutely love to read in my house!

To start, collect twenty-four Christmas or winter themed books you already have.  I will confess that a couple of the ones we used are not in either of those categories because we ran out.  I then wrapped each one up, sticking a Bible verse inside the front of each.  Next I labeled the front with the numbers 2 through 24 (we missed the first day).  They are under the front of our Christmas tree to open each night until Christmas.

What a great way to incorporate reading time and scripture through the holidays!

We have read two books so far and are really enjoying it.  

Have you tried a book tradition in your house?

The Elf on the Shelf

This is our first year doing the infamous "Elf on the Shelf" tradition.  I have heard great things about it and figured we would give it a try.  Gia and I sat down last night and read the book.  We named our elf "Sparkle" and I explained that the elf was not to play with but was sent as Santa's helper.  As soon as we finished with the story and I sat Sparkle up for the night... my daughter had a meltdown!

Let me take a moment to explain that Gia is overly compassionate and everything is a "baby" to her (rocks, dolls, marshmallows, etc.).  She was crying that she didn't want Sparkle to fly to Santa at night because she would miss her SO much!  I finally calmed her down - yes, by threatening that Sparkle would not live with us if she didn't - and we turned in for the night.  Don't judge me, sometimes that is the only way to move past a super-compassion-meltdown-fiasco.  Anyway, once she was asleep, I moved Sparkle to her new spot...

This might prove to be fun after all finding a new watch-spot each night.  I just hope I can remember to do it.  When Gia woke up this morning, the first thing she spotted was Sparkle!

Have you tried Elf on the Shelf with your kids?  If so, what do you think about it?

A New Way to Use an Old Book

For those of you who know me, you know that I LOVE my books!  I have shelves and shelves of them - all sizes and kinds.

I found this great idea on how to use the ones I will never read again at Redefine Creativity... by making holiday ornaments.  Alisa Burke has some other great ideas for upcycling your old books too.

Supplies needed:  styrofoam ball, old book pages, glue  (I started with stick glue, but switched to permanent fabric glue halfway through - it seems to hold better), hot glue gun, ribbon.

Start by tearing your book pages into little bits.  Next, apply little dabs of glue onto the styrofoam ball and smear around - doing small sections at a time makes it more manageable and keeps the glue from drying before you get to it.  Once you apply the glue, collage your torn book pages onto the ball.

Set aside to dry.  Once completely dry, attach the ribbon to the styrofoam ball - forming a loop to hang your ornament with.

I love this idea so much!