Orthodox Christmas Gift and Stocking-Stuffer Ideas

Hi friends, it’s that time of year again! I’ve been a mom for almost ten years now, and with 5 children, I have a lot of experience with managing the holidays with little ones! We have all witnessed the difficulty of keeping Christmas about Christ and not about all the presents. I personally come from a broken and blended extended family, which at the holidays often makes the presents multiply exponentially. This is something we struggle to keep in check. 

I also get asked a lot by other “mommy friends” for Christmas/St. Nicholas Day gift ideas, so I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite go-to items for Orthodox families and my best advice on keeping the number of presents under control and maintaining our focus on Jesus. I have relied on both Orthodox and Catholic sources for my religious gift suggestions, as you will see below: 

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Children’s Book Recommendations for Advent and Christmas

Hi readers! In a previous post, I have discussed how my family practices Advent, so I wanted to follow up with a guide of what you could be reading with your kids during this season to prepare for Christmas. It’s tempting to jump on board the Christmas train as soon as Thanksgiving is over (or even right after Halloween!), but as Orthodox Christians, we believe it’s important to observe a season of expectation, waiting, and even penitence before we start celebrating. This may look differently in each family, but one way we, a Western Rite Orthodox family of 7, mark the season of Advent is through books.

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