Advent and Christmas Archives - Page 10 of 12

Homemade Nativities

December 3, 2013 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

Over the years, we have made a number of Nativity figures.

…out of egg Cartons, felt, clothes pegs and toilet paper rolls.

I made this hand sewn Nativity for my husband…before we had kids. I made the stable and the star, but not the tree. Last year I made the Painted Wooden Saints version for our school’s Ornament Share. I outlined some of my recycled materials Nativity figures in my book A Treasure Chest of Traditions for Catholic Families …and a couple years ago, my Aunt surprised me with the awesome knitted version: Auntie Ingrid’s Knitted Nativity (this link includes knitting pattern links!) Here are a couple other awesome DIY Nativities I have found online… Shower of Roses Paper Nativity Tuscany Creative Etsy Shop: Felt Nativity and Finger Puppets Felt Nativity from youcanmakethis.com pattern and instructions by pdf

Edible Nativity from AOK Corral

Magnetic Nativity from CutoutandKeep.net

Modelled Nativity from Melanies Crafts

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas

Keep Christ in Christmas: read Him, look for Him, pray to Him, visit him, share Him, give for Him; live for Him

December 1, 2013 by Monica McConkey 35 Comments

We have all heard the Nativity story, seen reenactments of Jesus’ Birth in school plays, Church pageants and even on the big screen. Santa Claus is pretty prevalent too, and we’re looking for ways to overpower the looming inflatable Santa Claus and Frosty that have adorned the house next door since mid-November.

Filed Under: #CatholicCrafts, Advent and Christmas, family traditions, Feast Day Fun, Liturgical Calendar Crafts Tagged With: Advent, catholic crafts, Feast Day Fun, liturgical calendar

Special Advent Addendum for your Family Prayer Bank!

November 29, 2013 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

We have just released our special Advent Addendum for use with our popular All Season Prayer Bank!

You can tuck these 24 Advent prayer cards and prayer card templates in your All Season Prayer Bank, buy the All Season Prayer Bank

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Catholic Crafts, Printables

Cross Catholic Outreach Art Show!

November 26, 2013 by Monica McConkey 1 Comment

This Christmas season, Catholic Inspired, Cross Catholic Outreach and other Catholic Bloggers including Equipping Catholic Families are teaming up to empower kids to help the poor while using their artistic talent. Kids of all ages will be able to participate in an online art show from now until December 31st, 2013. Parents, family members and friends will make donations on behalf of their artwork to Cross Catholic Outreach. All proceeds will feed impoverished children and families in El Progreso, Honduras at the Prince of Peace Nutrition Center.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, link-up, Catholic Bloggers Network

The Family Handprint Jesse Tree

November 24, 2013 by Monica McConkey 5 Comments

I will admit it. We have been raising Catholic kids for 17 years and up until this year, I have never really had a Jesse Tree.

In fact, as I prepared my review and giveaway of these awesome Jesse Tree Treasures, I had a number of “what are those?” questions. The kids have made their share of single ornaments at school over the years, but we have never jumped in on this tradition at home.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, DIY Crafts

Heirloom Jesse Tree Treasures: GIVEAWAY!

November 5, 2013 by Monica McConkey 130 Comments

Would you like to win this beautiful 28- piece Heirloom set of Jesse Tree ornaments for your family in time for Advent?

Read about this exquisite set of Jesse Tree ornaments here:

Review of Jesse Tree Treasures

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, giveaway

not too early to plan your Jesse Tree!

November 3, 2013 by Monica McConkey 7 Comments

I have to admit…I have never created, assembled or purchased a Jesse Tree set of ornaments, but I know that it’s an awesome tradition to refocus Advent away from the Santa epidemic. Santa is nice and all, but we prefer to keep the focus on the birth of Jesus… and keep Him the reason we exchange presents.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas

Project Portal: Advent & Christmas!

December 30, 2012 by Monica McConkey 1 Comment

In my attempt to reorganize (and de-clutter!) the Equipping Catholic Families blog, I am creating side-bar Project Portal buttons that will lead to multiple photo galleries of Equipping Catholic Families projects, organized by particular Season or Catholic Family focus…like Saints and Converted 2 Catholic games and activities! Thanks for your patience and thanks for checking out our past projects! read more...for Equipping Catholic Families!

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas

Keeping Christ in Christmas

December 19, 2012 by Monica McConkey 7 Comments

I’m co-hosting the Keeping Christ in Christmas Blog Carnival, hosted by Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families, Raising (& Teaching) Little Saints, Truly Rich Mom and the Catholic Bloggers Network. We’ll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus on Jesus as the Reason for the Christmas season. Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of carnival entries. Does anyone else approach Christmas at the beginning of Advent with the thought that this year will be different, and then by the 3rd Sunday of Advent start to panic and anxiously trying to buy extra gifts to supplement, maybe even tackle an ambitious homemade family gift? I’m doing it again.

Thanks to Erika andTina and this opportunity for reflection, I’m refocusing! How can I remind myself and my family of the true focus of Christmas?

Is it quickly adding program to the family event Christmas dinner….reintroducing a dialogue of thankfulness?

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas