2014 Family Christian Christmas Gift Guide + $25 Giveaway

I was in Wal-Mart the other day and saw a sign that said, “50 days until Christmas!”

Can I be transparent?

That annoys me.

Those signs were deliberately put there to make people feel pressure to buy things. Buy this! Buy that! I can’t stand it!! Don’t get me wrong… love all things Christmas- the real Christmas. I do give/make gifts for family and close friends but I don’t buy things just because it’s Christmas and we are supposed to.

As children we are told that giving is better than getting. But as children that can be sometimes hard to understand. As adults, most of us totally get it. I would rather give my friend the gift of something she’s been wanting for a while, but unable to get, than purchase something for myself any day!

Christmas is also an especially wonderful time to spread the Gospel. Saying Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays may seem taboo or politically incorrect these days but it comes with an opportunity to explain why we still say it. Don’t fit in with the crowd. Be bold! If you are His, a child of the King, you hold the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven... don’t hide them!!

I’ve put together a list of a few items I would be happy to give to some of people I love this Season.

Everything you see in the above picture is available at Family Christian Stores and Online.

Treasury of Bible Stories: Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times is the favored bedtime book around our house and would be a great gift for children ages 2-9. It retails for $19.99 but there's always a coupon to be found with Family Christian Stores!!

 

 
Max, my three year old, calls it his Jesus Book. He and Caroline, my two year old, like it because of the beautiful pictures and short stories. I like it so much because it sticks to Bible truths and presents these truths in terms they can understand. They have learned so much from the Jesus Book!  
 

 

While we're on the subject of little ones, this is another great find. The Little People Nativity retails for $42.99 but is currently on sale for $29.99 and will be 50% off (making it just $21.49) November 26-28. This would make a great gift for kids ages 1-5.

 

 
Both my toddlers love playing with this. I may end up purchasing another one so the fighting over the horse cart and baby Jesus will stop! As with all Fisher Price toys, the Little People Nativity is well made. It comes with Joseph, Mary, Jesus, an angel, three wise men, the stable, two donkeys, a cart, camel, sheep, cow and a hay bale. Where the angel sits there is a button that when pushed plays Away in a Manger. They've gotten hours of fun out of this kid friendly Nativity!
 

 

For Such a Time as This: Stories of Women from the Bible - Retold for Girls is a Bible storybook for girls that tells of the lives of 40 biblical women from both the Old and New Testament. It is recommended for girls ages 6 to 10 but I say it's also a great choice to snuggle up with your 4 or 5 year old princess and share. My 12 year old girl enjoys it too. So really, I'd recommend it for girls 4-12. It retails for $14.99.

 

 

Both the pictures and stories in this 256 page book are beautiful.

 

 
At the end of each of the stories is a He, Me, She section. The He section focuses on God and highlights which of His characteristics were revealed in the story. The Me part challenges the girl to incorporate that characteristic into her own life. And the She section is written for parents and has a Scripture-based prayer to pray over their daughter. We just started reading through this and it's lovely. I look forward to sharing more of His story with her through this beautiful book.
 

 

Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids is recommended for kids ages 8-12 and retails for $15.99. HOWEVER,  all of the Jesus Calling books are 50% off from now until December4th! 

 

 
The 365 devotions in this cute little book are dated so you can start at whatever time of the year it is received. One reason I really like this book for kids is because it keeps things real and personal. It is written in an "I", "Me", "Mine" format instead of a "You" and "Your" tone. The book encourages a deeper relationship with Jesus through not just reading but talking (praying) and listening too.
 

 

 Holy Ghost is the amazing story of a group of people who decide to make a film based solely on the Holy Spirit's guidance. This movie truly is soul stirring. I wish I could give a copy of this film to everyone I know. It retails for $19.99 and is not rated. I watched it with my big kids (12 and15) and they really enjoyed (and more importantly, understood) it. I would recommend it for anyone ages 12 and up.

 
God's Not Dead is rated PG and is recommended for those 12 and older. It retails for $24.99 but is currently on sale for $17.99. From the box:

College freshman and devout Christian Josh Wheaton finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson. Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words "God Is Dead" on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future.

 

Sounds amazing right? It is!!

 

 
Grace Filled Marriage: The Missing Piece. the Place to Start. is a great gift for any married couple in your life (maybe even your own marriage?). This was a great read. When it comes to grace, we tend to give it least to our spouse. Why is that? Whether you've been married 10 minutes or 10 years, this book offers a great deal of good, Biblical advice for us all. And you know what? A little grace goes a long way. You will be amazed at the outcome when you implement the teachings of Grace Filled Marriage into your life!!

Family Christian has graciously offered a $25 Appreciation Certificate* to my readers via giveaway.

Enter below!!

 

Be sure to follow Family Christian on Facebook so you don't miss a deal!

*like a gift card but has no money value so you have to use the whole thing at once because you won't get cash back or be able to use the rest at another time

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