{"id":1491,"date":"2010-12-01T07:49:58","date_gmt":"2010-12-01T13:49:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/?p=1491"},"modified":"2025-11-08T11:25:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T17:25:37","slug":"mailbag-christmas-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/2010\/12\/01\/mailbag-christmas-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Shift Your Focus This Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-FB.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"704\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-FB.png?resize=1024%2C704&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Shifting Christmas Focus \" class=\"wp-image-85464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-FB.png?resize=1024%2C704&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-FB.png?resize=300%2C206&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-FB.png?resize=768%2C528&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-FB.png?resize=400%2C275&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-FB.png?resize=600%2C413&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-FB.png?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I received the following message from a reader recently, but it could&#8217;ve been written by almost any mother of young children at some point or other in their upbringing. Our culture works overtime to convince us we need a lot of stuff to be happy, and children are often intentionally targeted by the onslaught of advertising. So what can we do to shift their\/our focus this Christmas?<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1491_10306d-02 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1491_10306d-02 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1491_10306d-02 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id1491_10306d-02 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1491_10306d-02 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1491_10306d-02 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1491_10306d-02 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1491_f98643-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1491_f98643-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1491_f98643-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1491_f98643-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1491_f98643-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1491_f98643-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1491_f98643-cf{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1491_f98643-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1491_f98643-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1491_f98643-cf\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Christmas-Presents.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Christmas-Presents.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"christmas presents\" class=\"wp-image-1494\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/4;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Christmas-Presents.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Christmas-Presents.jpg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Christmas-Presents.jpg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Christmas-Presents.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Christmas-Presents.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Christmas-Presents.jpg?resize=250%2C250&amp;ssl=1 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column1491_9ebcff-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1491_9ebcff-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1491_9ebcff-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1491_9ebcff-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1491_9ebcff-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1491_9ebcff-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1491_9ebcff-8c{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1491_9ebcff-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1491_9ebcff-8c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1491_9ebcff-8c\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-small-font-size\"><blockquote><p>Dear Jennifer:<br>My kids are driving me crazy with their endless lists of stuff they want for Christmas. <br><br>I love the holidays, but I hate the commercialism with its selfish focus on me, me, me. And with the economy like it is, I really can\u2019t afford to indulge them this year, anyway. Help!<\/p><cite>Beleaguered Mom<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-here-s-my-suggestions-for-shifting-perspective\">Here&#8217;s my suggestions for shifting perspective:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dear Mom,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sit your kids down as soon as possible and tell them that they will only be getting one gift this year (or two, or just stockings\u2014whatever <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/2015\/11\/30\/mailbag-how-do-you-handle-gift-giving\/\">scaling back <\/a>looks like for you) and that you will pick it, so they can keep their wish lists to themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, enlist their help in making a new sort of list\u2014a list of things they would like to do all season long to celebrate Christmas together. Activities need not be expensive. Ask if they would would like to:<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items1491_a524ba-c8:not(.this-stops-third-party-issues){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items1491_a524ba-c8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list:not(.this-prevents-issues):not(.this-stops-third-party-issues):not(.tijsloc){margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-left:0px;padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items1491_a524ba-c8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list{grid-row-gap:5px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items1491_a524ba-c8 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:var(--global-palette1, #3182CE);}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items1491_a524ba-c8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap .kt-svg-icon-list-single{margin-right:10px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items1491_a524ba-c8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-0 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-iconlist kt-svg-icon-list-items kt-svg-icon-list-items1491_a524ba-c8 kt-svg-icon-list-columns-1 alignnone\"><ul class=\"kt-svg-icon-list\"><style>.kt-svg-icon-list-item-1491_f28f1c-6d .kt-svg-icon-list-text mark.kt-highlight{background-color:unset;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<li class=\"wp-block-kadence-listitem kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-1491_f28f1c-6d\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_checkCircle kt-svg-icon-list-single\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"\/><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">String popcorn for the tree? <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-icon-list-item-1491_029b84-04 .kt-svg-icon-list-text mark.kt-highlight{background-color:unset;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<li class=\"wp-block-kadence-listitem kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-1491_029b84-04\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_checkCircle kt-svg-icon-list-single\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"\/><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Drive around to look at Christmas lights? <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-icon-list-item-1491_842b9c-f9 .kt-svg-icon-list-text mark.kt-highlight{background-color:unset;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<li class=\"wp-block-kadence-listitem kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-1491_842b9c-f9\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_checkCircle kt-svg-icon-list-single\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"\/><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Watch It\u2019s a Wonderful Life as a family? <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-icon-list-item-1491_648aea-0d .kt-svg-icon-list-text mark.kt-highlight{background-color:unset;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<li class=\"wp-block-kadence-listitem kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-1491_648aea-0d\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_checkCircle kt-svg-icon-list-single\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"\/><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Sing carols on the neighbors\u2019 doorsteps? <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-icon-list-item-1491_24c71a-9e .kt-svg-icon-list-text mark.kt-highlight{background-color:unset;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<li class=\"wp-block-kadence-listitem kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-1491_24c71a-9e\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_checkCircle kt-svg-icon-list-single\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"\/><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Take homemade cards to shut-ins? <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Try to think of things you can do to serve others this season, as well. When our family made our list several years ago, one child suggested we take hot coffee to the Salvation Army bell ringers when the weather was especially cold\u2014something we\u2019ve done every year since (see what else is on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/family-fun\/countdown-to-christmas\/\">our list<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/2012\/12\/05\/67-ways-to-celebrate-the-season\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"721\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Countdown-to-Christmas-Printable-FB.png?resize=1024%2C721&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Countdown to Christmas Printable\" class=\"wp-image-27314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Countdown-to-Christmas-Printable-FB.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Countdown-to-Christmas-Printable-FB.png?resize=600%2C422&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Countdown-to-Christmas-Printable-FB.png?resize=300%2C211&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Countdown-to-Christmas-Printable-FB.png?resize=768%2C541&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll want to include all the normal activities that have become cherished family traditions, like going to grandma\u2019s or putting up house lights or making fantasy fudge. But you should also brainstorm to come up with new ideas, like working at the soup kitchen, or reading The Gift of the Magi, or attending a candlelight service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep a copy of your list to reference again next year. Add to it as inspiration strikes. You may not always get to every item on the list, but the process of trying will help change your family\u2019s focus from the gifts under the tree to the people around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sending my prayers and best wishes for a Christ-filled Christmas&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-theme-palette-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1105599eb14a672b1974719fcf8f12f9\" id=\"h-jennifer\"><em>Jennifer<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-want-more-christmas-printables\">Want more Christmas printables?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our two new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/product\/christmas-cheer-bundle\/\">print pack collections<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/product\/big-book-of-christmas-printables-volume-1\/\"> <\/a>and download scores of our most popular Christmas printables &#8212; games, quizzes, children&#8217;s activities, coloring pages, stationary, crafts, advent calendars, bucket lists, and much, much more. Best of all, you&#8217;ll save time by downloading everything in a single click!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/product\/christmas-cheer-bundle\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Big-Book-of-Christmas-Printables-Ad-FB.png?resize=1024%2C660&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Big Book of Christmas Printables \" class=\"wp-image-85359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Big-Book-of-Christmas-Printables-Ad-FB.png?resize=1024%2C660&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Big-Book-of-Christmas-Printables-Ad-FB.png?resize=300%2C193&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Big-Book-of-Christmas-Printables-Ad-FB.png?resize=768%2C495&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Big-Book-of-Christmas-Printables-Ad-FB.png?resize=400%2C258&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Big-Book-of-Christmas-Printables-Ad-FB.png?resize=600%2C387&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Big-Book-of-Christmas-Printables-Ad-FB.png?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>PLEASE NOTE:&nbsp;<em>This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through any of those links, we may receive a small referral fee, at no extra cost to you. Such fees help defray the cost of running this website. This, in turn, allows us to continue offering our readers a wealth of FREE printable resources. So thank you for your support!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-Pin.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1753\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-Pin.png?resize=1200%2C1753&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Shifting Christmas Focus \" class=\"wp-image-85466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-Pin.png?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-Pin.png?resize=205%2C300&amp;ssl=1 205w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-Pin.png?resize=701%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 701w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-Pin.png?resize=768%2C1122&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-Pin.png?resize=1051%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1051w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-Pin.png?resize=400%2C584&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Shifting-Christmas-Focus-Pin.png?resize=600%2C877&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I received the following message from a reader recently, but it could&#8217;ve been written by almost any mother of young children at some point or other in their upbringing. 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Every December (with the exception of that year we had the chicken pox), we pull out our Santa hats, bundle up warm, and head over to the mall to man the red kettle for an hour or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christmas&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christmas","link":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/category\/holidays-2\/christmas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Bell Ringing 2016","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Bell-Ringing-2016.png?fit=1024%2C961&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Bell-Ringing-2016.png?fit=1024%2C961&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Bell-Ringing-2016.png?fit=1024%2C961&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Bell-Ringing-2016.png?fit=1024%2C961&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13324,"url":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/2015\/12\/01\/advent-christmas-chain-free-printable\/","url_meta":{"origin":1491,"position":3},"title":"Advent Scripture Chain (Free Printable)","author":"Jennifer Flanders","date":"December 1, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"It's December! Can you believe it? Only 25 days until Christmas, and I'm determined this holiday season to keep my heart focused on CHRIST, where it belongs! And today's Advent Christmas Chain will help me do exactly that. Want to join me? The principle behind this Christ-focused Christmas Countdown is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christmas&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christmas","link":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/category\/holidays-2\/christmas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Scripture Chain for Advent","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Scripture-Chain-for-Advent-1.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Scripture-Chain-for-Advent-1.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Scripture-Chain-for-Advent-1.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Scripture-Chain-for-Advent-1.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19604,"url":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/2017\/12\/06\/5-things-i-dont-want-to-miss\/","url_meta":{"origin":1491,"position":4},"title":"Simple Christmas Bucket List: Name 5 Things","author":"Jennifer Flanders","date":"December 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Are you looking for ways to make the Christmas season less hectic? Do lengthy to-do lists overwhelm you? Then use our simplified Christmas bucket list to plan a holiday that is memorable and meaningful to YOU. Since one of our sons (along with his wife and daughter) moved to Germany\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christmas&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christmas","link":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/category\/holidays-2\/christmas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Simplified Christmas Bucket List","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Simplified-Christmas-Bucket-List-IG.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Simplified-Christmas-Bucket-List-IG.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Simplified-Christmas-Bucket-List-IG.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Simplified-Christmas-Bucket-List-IG.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15872,"url":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/2016\/12\/07\/more-i-spy-christmas\/","url_meta":{"origin":1491,"position":5},"title":"I SPY Christmas Printables","author":"Jennifer Flanders","date":"December 7, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"I have a different sort of Christmas game to share with you today: a holiday version of an old family favorite. Check out these I SPY Christmas Printables: download all 4 I Spy Christmas Printables \u00a0I made these during an extended road trip last summer, and they helped keep my\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christmas&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christmas","link":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/category\/holidays-2\/christmas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"I SPY Christmas Printables","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/I-SPY-Christmas-Printables-IG.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/I-SPY-Christmas-Printables-IG.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/I-SPY-Christmas-Printables-IG.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/I-SPY-Christmas-Printables-IG.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1491"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85535,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1491\/revisions\/85535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}