Do you break out in hives just thinking about the craziness and chaos that comes with Christmas? It doesn’t have to be that way. Inspirational authors Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin, and Tricia Goyer share about Christmas’ past in their new novella collection Where Treetops Glisten. Their three stories “White Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” will take you back to war-time 1942, 1943, and 1944. The authors have also teamed up to give tips on simplifying Christmas this year! Join us December 1-6 on Not Quite Amish Living for the Simplifying Christmas series.
Simple Family Memory Making
by Tricia Goyer
Christmas for the Goyers mean large family gatherings. My husband, John, came up with this simple and interactive idea.
Below is the Scripture passage of the birth of Jesus. Notice some of the words are bolded. Each of the bolded words have a “sound effect” that go with them.
Instructions:
Print out the story and the sound effects on slips of paper and have family members draw them from a jar. Then as the Bible story is read, everyone must pay attention and say their sound effect at the right time.
When a bolded word in the story is spoken, reader must pause to allow the participant assigned the word to call out their part. For instance, when the word Jesus is read, pause to allow the assigned participant to call out, “God Saves.”
This allows for reader and listeners to participate in the Christmas story. Feel free to change the call out phrase to fit the audience of participants.
It’s a fun way to share the Bible Story and get family members of all ages involved!
Key
Gabriel = Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Joseph = a righteous man & daddy
Mary = blessed among women
Jesus = God saves
Birth = ouchie ouchie
Immanuel = God is with us
Baby = wwaahhh!
Census = More Taxes
Bethlehem = Town of David
David = Heart after God
Manger = Chomp Chomp Chomp
Shepherds = baaa baaa
Herod = I am evil (in an evil voice)
Wise men = hmmmm (stroking chin)
Stop by NotQuiteAmishLiving.com to read the story and download the printable!
Where Treetops Glisten Gift Basket Giveaway!
My publisher has created three wonderful gift baskets. To enter to win this basket, please use the Rafflecopter form below. Also find the additional giveaways (and read more great tips to simplify Christmas!) on Sarah Sundin’s blog and Cara Putman’s blog!
Each basket contains:
Copy of Where Treetops Glisten
Christmas DVD – Holiday Inn Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire
Christmas CD (includes all the book title songs) – “A Jolly Christmas” Frank Sinatra
Apron made from vintage pattern
Recipe cards from each character
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We sit down as a family and decide what events or experiences are most important and schedule those things. Then we know those won’t get overshadowed by less-important events. Everyone gets to choose an activity they really want to do, so everyone gets included and no one is overshadowed by someone else getting to plan everything.
That’s a great idea!
What a great idea! Thank you! You are such a blessing!
Thank you, Debra!
Thank you for the giveaway. I hope I win 🙂
That would be great, Tisha!
We as a family attend the Christman Eve services even with the little ones. Thanks Tricia for the givewaway
I love doing that, too!
This year my main two ways to simplify Christmas are: 1. Resolving to purchase simple, inexpensive, thoughtful gifts rather than expensive ones. 2. Taking time to stop working every once in a while just to enjoy the moment and savor time with my husband and toddler.
Jennifer, those are GREAT!
We don’t do so much time cooking. Simple meal where everyone just brings a dish & who evers house is hosting provides the meat 🙂 It’s more enjoyable when everyone gets to sit & visit, play games or just watch a good football game.
Deanna, yes, I agree!
We have cut way back on worrying about how many presents to buy and how busy we need to be. We have a tree-trimming party for just our kids (grown ones, but it is a tradition). We have their favorite snacks and goodies that we only have at the tree trimming party. We also have Christmas dinner together, whether it is actually ON Christmas Day or rescheduled, so that the in-laws or other family members that have other places to go, can attend. And then, we just enjoy each other. Little things mean so much, but being together and having fun and loving each other are the most wonderful gifts of all, besides Jesus loving us.
Debbie, being together IS the best part!
Simplify Christmas? The Lord has been teaching us in the last year, to simplify everything!
We are so grateful and thrilled, and so stress free now, since the good Lord has guided us through this formidable process.
We are better people as a result of this, and we get to teach our 15 year old, that what truly matters is a loving and genuine relationship with the Lord.
Thank you Tricia for sharing your world with your readers. Thank you for sharing your faith, and your wisdom.
We thank the Lord for you everyday!
I pray the Lord bless you and your family richly this Christmas Season, and that you all enjoy an amazing New Year!
Oh, Yolanda, thank you!!
we have a collection of Fontanini and set up a 13′ Bethlehem each year. My Italian Grandmother used set up a large nativity on her buffet each Christmas too. I think of her when we set up ours.
Linda, I bet it’s beautiful!
We only buy for the little ones, and have a white elephant for the adults…It’s so much fun!
Read the Christmas story and enjoy lots of time with family
I am excited for a chance to win!
I try to simplify by making some home made presents. I have also cut down on the buying that I do.This year I chose to put up the tree and a few decorations.
We keep the focus on Jesus and His birth in order to simplify.
Our’s is simply giving everything back to God. Our Christmas tree is God’s tree. from the tree itself to the tree skirt and the star.. 🙂
Tree- Tree of Life
Lights- (They used to be colored, now they are white) The children of the World
Garland- Christ’s love for us
Ornaments- Our gifts to God
Tree Topper- Has thorns, and with the base of it to set on the tree makes it look like the Star of David. It is also Gold which reminds us of Heaven.
Presents under the tree- Christ’s gifts to us
Tree Skirt – Red and Gold representing the blood Jesus shed for us on the cross, and Gold reminds us of Heaven.
Candy Canes- Shepherd’s staff.
Our family doesn’t have a lot of money, but we make up for it in love. Our son knows he is loved and that we would do anything for him. 🙂
Do less decorating.
every year we hand make ornaments and we handnmake at least 1 gift for each other
I simplify Christmas by purchasing gifts throughout the year and keeping a little book in my purse where I write down everything that I’ve purchased or any ideas I come up with.
it’s easier now that the kids are on their own, they like to see their favorite decorations on the trees, enjoy their favorite baked goods and our visits to friends/neighbors and family
We began simplifying our Christmases several years ago. We have a long-standing tradition of celebrating Advent, which really has become the center of our season. Every night after supper, we gather at the table for Advent devotions, which focus on all of the promises of the coming Messiah that God made throughout the Bible. The kids take turns lighting the candles, blowing them out, reading the scripture passages, and, at the end, getting a piece of candy for everyone out of the Advent house.
Following the Advent theme, we distribute most of our traditional Christmas activities–getting the tree, addressing cards, hanging lights, making gingerbread houses, etc.–by writing them on little notes that are tucked in envelopes and clothes-pinned to a strand of twine hung on the wall. Every morning after breakfast, the kids take turns opening an envelope. This really helps simplify the month because I can plan everything out ahead of time (making sure to keep my own list so I’m not as surprised as my kids), and it spreads things out in such a way that we aren’t overwhelmed. The kids love it because they know that they are going to get to do something “Christmassy” every day, even if it just means watching a holiday video, making paper snowflakes, or stringing popcorn for the tree.
Christmas got really simple when sons got married and don’y want to come to our home on Christmas am. We meet with them on Christmas Eve and then to my sibling families on Christmas Day.
not spend as much $$$ but spend more time with family
i plan to simplify by not baking as much for everyone.. …thanks for chance. I visited all three authors pages, but it wouldn’t let me say I did.
I love the idea of the sound effect with the Bible passage. I’m going to have to suggest it to our church.
We only do what we can and don’t worry if something doesn’t fit into the schedule. For our family, it is just about being together rather than parties, gifts, etc
I’m not sure I do simplify Christmas in my home. It’s my very favorite time to decorate my home and make it welcoming to those I love. I am cutting back on the cookie baking this year, though. There’s no one here anymore to help me (and my husband) eat them! Thanks for the Christmas play print-out!! It looks like a lot of fun.
i love to read & love your books
What a fun, engaging way to read the Christmas story! I made little 5 x 8 photo books for each of the kids and my husband with all the pictures I had taken during the year. They made treasured, inexpensive (walgreens with a paperback) gifts. Maybe not very simple for the maker, but overall a simpler gift giving idea.
We have loved coming up with traditions that don’t cost anything =). One of the things we look forward to each December is reading through Christmas stories together and we are fortunate to have a wonderful library with great books to choose from!
I simplify my Christmas by doing my shopping throughout the year and focusing on a few important Christmas family traditions. If anything else gets done, great – But no worries if something doesn’t get done. Thanks for the giveaway Tricia!
I start out earlier than most so that the holidays do not feel rushed and I can enjoy the time with my family and friends. I put all my decorations up in the middle of November, I shop year round for stocking gifts and sale items such as curling irons etc. I bake everything the first week of December and freeze it, so I can pull out goodies as I need them. Merry Christmas!
Spend more quality time with family making memories to last a lifetime
Traditions… our traditions multiplied when my son was young… if we did it once, he made sure we did it every year there after! …He’s now 21 years old, I don’t think that has changed much for him.
This is a great suggestion. I wish there were going to be more than just my husband and I for Christmas so we could do it.
I forgot to look and see what I was supposed to comment on specifically. This year will be very simple since I’m currently undergoing chemo for breast cancer and I have a treatment on the 22nd.
I have not went anywhere that shows this little 3 pointed propeller thing for the Rafflecoptor that it has ever brought it up like the old one with the little gear looking thing. What is wrong? This has been doing this several days for I’m not getting to enter any contest with Beaming it up. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
I simplify by not over-doing things! We make sure to have special family times and fun traditions and a few outings, but we don’t try to participate in every activity or event we hear about.
Hi Tricia. I love your website. I entered your contest to win the gift basket. The book Where Tree Tops Glisten would be great to read. My Dad was in The Canadian Air force during World war ll. I was born in 46. I love to read books from those time frames. It was a simpler time.
I hope that you will have the Nerdiest of Christmases.
Shirley
Sorry about the Nerdiest on my comment. I had put merriest but spell check put in nerdiest . I appologize for not editing.
Shirley
Thank you for sharing these creative ideas to simplify Christmas. I believe setting limits is key to enjoying the season. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Blessings 🙂
I love this idea. I think I will try this this year!
grandchildren are young so we are starting new memories and traditions that don’t cost much if anything
We don’t have many visitors so the decorating I do for Christmas is usually just what brings me the most joy, the things that it’s not Christmas without.
Our family simplifies however we can… Less time shopping, the gifts don’t have to be perfectly wrapped, if we have soup and sandwiches that’s okay too. We love the holiday season, but as a Christian, we try to put Jesus first year round (hard to do sometimes).
This is going to be fun!!!
I have come to realize over the years that things don’t have to be “perfect”…..and that people are more important than presents! The idea of the Christmas story being read with sound effects is great…..I am sharing it with my Daughter who has 5 girls 10 and under….they will love it!
I am simplifing by not stressing over what I can not do.I am going do what I can,making more handmade gifts and spending less and enjoying more.
After nearly 10 years of angst late in the evening on Christmas Eve, waiting for everyone to get to our house to wake up together Christmas morning, we made the decision last year to have Christmas NOT Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. We will plan our celebration just before or just after. We are a blended family and our grown children (now with children of their own) are trying to be present at all their parent’s houses. The grandchildren don’t ask “When will Santa be here?”. They keep asking over and over “When will my cousins be here?” I don’t know why we waited so long to arrive at this decision!
I simplify Christmas by beginning my crafting and shopping in January, and try to be finished long before Christmas. That way we can enjoy the time spent with each other more.
I’m new to your blog, and I love it! I have simplified Christmas at my house by limiting the amount of baking I do. I bake only our favorites and then only in half recipes.
We homeschool, but we take about a 2 1/2-3 week break so we can bake together and just enjoy our family. We always attend our church’s Candlelight Christmas Eve service and take the trip back to our hometown with everyone ( married, boyfriends, etc.) to spend the day with Grandparents. This giveaway looks awesome. 🙂
decorate the inside only
We keep things very simple at our house. I’m not even sure I will decorate this year. It’s just my husband and I and we celebrate the birth of Christ & our new life in Him. And we make sure that no one gets any gifts that are more expensive than what we donate to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for missions.
I love having my son who is away at college come home for Christmas. We like to plan special family outings, such as a movie, driving around to see the lights and taking small treats to friends. This year will be different as my daughter was recently diagnosed with a heart condition so we will be a spending more of our time together at home.
My 2nd Christmas without my husband will be simple indeed. Celebrating the hope of the gospel through the resurrected Christ child will be the focus. I have children and grandchildren to delight with the wonder of the season but Jesus is the simple focus.
basically, just a tree and the Christmas village
Our family simplifies Christmas by focusing on the meaning of Christmas which is the birth of Jesus. We make sure we leave plenty of family time in our schedule and we don’t commit to too many things. We stay home on Christmas day and don’t do any traveling. We go to see family before or after Christmas. We buy a few Christmas gifts for each other, meaningful ones.
I like to focus more on Jesus’ birth and also family time rather than so much on “things”
My girls have talked me into using paper plates for our family get together!
We simplify Christmas by centering on church Advent activities and choir rehearsals and fulfilling gift requests from the Angel tree.
We simplify by our family all going to Colorado to ski.. While there, we donate to local charities that provide dinners for the homeless.
Spending time together! This year we will be coming from three states to meet at a fourth for the weekend together. I am excited with work schedules, for our three daughters to be together! We are are staying downtown so it is an adventure for our oldest daughter’s children and grands who live there to come to swim. Instead of individual gifts, we are getting family tickets for ice skating, the little ones discovered at a birthday party and enjoyed. We eat, hug, play boardgames and enjoy each other being all together.
Here at home we have an early December dinner with our small groups together, this Sunday following the afternoon women’s gathering our Pastor’s wife is hosting (Held Together ~ Laminin, Louie Giglio; I have DVD). Always a good time with the younger mom’s doing the snacks (cheesecake this time; yum!); praise and worship, prayer, and a fun time of being together. We live in a small rural community and there are three area acting guilds that rotate putting on plays throughout the year at the old movie theatre. So enjoyable! I love how all ages participate and they are wonderful. This year for Christmas they are doing a repeat of It’s A Wonderful Life from four years ago ~ we didn’t see as we were at one daughter’s home. My husband and I are in a Christmas movie, Biblical/modern, that will be previewed with pizza for the cast next Saturday and for the community the next weekend at our church. How the Lord meets our needs in every generation only He can fill.
So this CHRISTmas is His gift-giving of ourselves!
Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
How do I simplify Christmas? One way that I try to simplify Christmas for my family is learning to say no to many of the activities that would otherwise stress me or the family out. We also do less schoolwork during this time and focus on Jesus.
My family simplifies Christmas with a Christmas tree, presents, and dinner.
Purchasing less, shopping small local businesses, etsy and handmade. Plus, making gifts!
Tricia,
Simplifying Christmas around here means sticking to our traditions. They aren’t extravagant or anything. My favorites are: going to view Christmas lights with my family on or around Christmas Eve, reading the Christmas Story before we swap presents, and of course swapping presents. But it’s so much more than those things. It’s spending time together, deepening our bond, as we remember and celebrate our Savior’s birth and life, death and resurrection, and His saving grace.
Blessings,
Andrea
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
P.S. Reading Where Treetops Glisten right now and loving it!
Living on just my husband teacher’s pay, we never had a lot of money for Christmas. I have always made many of the presents we give, and our kids have always understood that we don’t ask for a lot. Especially as the got older, their list were short and simple enough,that we could get them everything we wanted and not go over budget. Christmas was (and is still) more about the program at church, baking cookies and 2 whole weeks with all of us together (one of the perks of bing teacher!).
It’s just hubby & I at home now. He’s a pastor, so most of our time revolves around the things at church. Christmas Eve Service is a biggie – and sometimes our kids get to be here for it,, most times not. Some years we travel to their place after the service to be there for Christmas day, some years not.
I haven’t even put up a tree the last few years, but think I might this year == simple, pre-lit, not too decorated, We don’t do a lot of shopping, but do try to give gifts that are wanted or needed.
We gather around to read the Christmas story and have Christmas music playing softly in the background and then we open the presents and then prepare the Christmas meal!!! Thank you for the awesome giveaway and God Bless you!!!
thank you for the giveaway love your books
What a wonderful give away please enter me blessings
To simplify Christmas, our 4 young boys decorate the tree and I love how they do it. As I pull out the ornaments, they ask the story behind each one. We have Christmas lunch with family where everyone brings a dish. We love to play card and domino games together. Focusing on Jesus’ birth instead of all the things we think we need helps us keep things simple.
We make sure we spend special time with each other, as a family, watching Christmas movies, looking at Christmas lights, or going to free events/activities (like free horse and carriage rides at the shopping center). This gives us special memories with each other and something to look forward to, especially when it starts getting busy! 🙂
I love all of these wonderful ideas. I have been feeling the urge to simplify more. We do the 4 gifts for the kids (something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read) and that’s it, total. Sibling gifts are hand-made or handed-down. They have to get creative! We try to make it more about experiences and making memories than about things and try to get out together as a family and take advantage of some of the many, many wonderful things to do here in Portland, OR. Trying to find ways to volunteer and give to those in need, as well.
They way I am going to try to make it easier on me this Christmas season is to give giftcards.
Wonderful! Thank you for the giveaway.
We draw down our commitments and reserve time in our holiday schedule for Christmas devotions. We also give with purpose – baby Jesus received 3 gifts so our children receive 3 gifts. (Simple stocking gifts are from Santa)
How do we make a difference? We “adopt” kids from our local Angel Tree. We send 10 Operation Christmas Child boxes. We provide blankets, gloves, and hats for our local Salvation Army to hand out to the homeless in our community. We “adopt” a family who would not usually have a good Christmas and provide food for a Christmas dinner and gifts for the family members so they will have a better Christmas. Thee, when we get to Harrisburg (where my mom and some of my brothers live), we donate to the Alzheimer’s Association (what my dad died of) and the Purple Heart Association (for veterans and families of of soldiers who didn’t return from the war).
A little Jesus every day – reading verses and singing carols to daddy’s guitar after lighting the Advent wreath. And not stressing if we miss a day! Finding joy in the small wonders: lights on the tree, taking turns opening the Advent calendar, playing games by the fire… We also do the “3” gifts: something they want, something they need, something that helps them grow closer to God. Really has made an impact on the “gimmie, gimmie” attitude. As a family, choose our “gifts to Jesus” (whoever gives to the least of these gives to Me) by donating to World Vision/Samaitian’s Purse/Compassion International through their “gift catalog”. 🙂
About 15 years ago, I petty much stopped “doing” Christmas…no tree, decorations, baking, etc. My daughter missed the festivities, so she would go to my mom’s for a week or so and really enjoyed it, as Mom put up several trees, baked really awesome cookies, and always had an impressive feast for Christmas day. Because of the seasonal nature of my business, there was never any money for gifts and trying to come up with something was really stressful. I always sang in the church Christmas cantata, and that was my favorite part, but a few years ago I lost my voice and could no longer sing. Mom died 5 years ago, and although different family members tried to pull something together each year, it never really came together, and my dad couldn’t tolerate the activity at his house. Dad died a couple of months ago, and we have all decided there will be no big family gathering. This is my daughter’s first year in her new place, and since she now has two children of her own, she is having a tree and gifts, and trying to make her own traditions, and has invited me to spend a few days at her place, and I hope it works out, as travelling is very stressful for me, especially when the roads are not driver friendly. I plan on sewing a few items for the kids, but I will probably not get everything done that I want to., No stress there! For as long as I can remember, Christmas has always been an incredibly sad time for me, and even when my mom was alive, I would have to get away from everyone, go off to a back room and have a good cry. This holiday depression goes clear back to my childhood and started sometime in the early 1960s but I have never really been able to pinpoint any reason for it, but most years I wish I could just shut myself off after Thanksgiving and re-emerge on January 15th.
This book looks wonderful, and I love that you all are focusing on keeping Christmas simple. I look forward to reading this and to trying out some of your ideas! Thank you!
OUr Christmas is always simple, mostly because we’re all too tired to do anything fancy LOL
I love Christmas time….such a wonderful time to celebrate the birth of Christ and being thankful for our many blessing…and gifts homemade are quite wonderful…they are made with love and from the heart
We attend the Christmas Eve service, then all family come to our house for eats and opening gifts after reading the Christmas Story out of Luke.
This idea of reading the Christmas story with sound effects is a really good one!! I’m going to try it with my kids & grandkids this Christmas! Thanks!
This has been a really tough year, but I am still blessed in so many ways.too many to write, but my newest blessing this Christmas is a new granddaughter..Quinn. Wishing everyone a beautiful Christmas. Do not forget..thru Christ all things are possible.
Looks like an awesome gift basket!
Love Christmas time. My 14 year old grandson told me today that it is his favorite time of year because of the Christmas music and family time. Have many blessings to celebrate along with the birth of our Lord.
Love the contest.
This year, instead of exchanging gifts with my extended family, we are giving the money we would have spent on gifts to help others.
With 12 children there is not a lot of money to go around at Christmas time. From an early age I have taught the children the true meaning of Christmas adn that’s not presents. We enjoy togetherness and a msall gift. We put our energy into chruch, baking and fun togetherness.
Merry Christmas to all! Have a Christ-filled holiday season.
We have never been big spenders when it comes to Christmas Giving but we do enjoy preparing the special foods that have become traditions in our family. I appreciate the ideas you have shared.
We’re letting our adult kids do more of the cooking. I never wanted to ask, but they don’t mind at all. Spreading the work around reduces stress for everyone!
Love this WWII Christmas Romance! Well Done Ladies!
Thank you to Tricia, Sarah, and Cara for the giveaway! I simplify Christmas by just putting up a Christmas tree. My son and I are going to finally put up the ornaments on our tree tonight. I work as a manager in retail so any precious time I get with my family during the holidays is a blessing. I always emphasize that is always better to give than to receive. Christmas is about Jesus’s birth. Although I make my wages in retail, I believe to many people are focused on spending money on others to make them happy. We have become a commercialized society and that is really sad. I really liked how Kirk Cameron made the movie, Saving Christmas. So one more simple thing that I enjoy about Christmas is us watching Christmas movies together. Merry Christmas to all three of you!
I am so fortunate that the Christmas season is so low-key in my home. I see so many people making themselves crazy! It’s easier because we don’t have any children, but my hubby and I also avoid the pressure of buying gifts for each other. The gift of time together is so much more valuable. Instead of shopping, we will go to lunch and a movie.
We don’t a lot of expensive presents.
Thank you for the giveaway. My dad used to read the Christmas story to us every year. It’s a wonderful memory.
This year I am trying to focus on what matters most– Jesus.
We decorate our tree and make cookies. We try to focus more on the real meaning of Christmas and less of the commerical reasons for the season.
Experiences over presents…spending time instead of money, making time to be together.
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