The Giving Manger – Advent Activity Set for Families (My Review and a Giveaway)
There is something about the Christmas season that brings out kindness in us. Whether it’s the bright lights, gathering with family, or giving gifts, we enjoy a spirit of anticipation and joy.
The Christmas season isn’t just about shopping and gifts. It is a season of giving from the heart that frankly I wish lasted all year, not just the Advent season. Yet to establish good habits, it takes practice and consistency. So when the publisher at Worthy Kids asked for a review of The Giving Manger, I couldn’t refuse.
You see, I want to instill this spirit of generosity in our grandchildren. And for those of you who have children at home, this is a perfect activity for the Christmas season.
As A Little Girl…
I remember my mom telling me and my brothers and sisters about children who might not get gifts for Christmas. So we would each choose some of our toys to ‘share’ with them. Then, Mom dropped them off at the fire station so they could be given good homes. It was hard to part with my toys but as I look back, I know it fostered a spirit of sharing with others.
The Giving Manger by Allison Hottinger
The Giving Manger shares the idea of giving gifts to one another every day in December. The children in the story are sure that it will be the worse Christmas ever. Suddenly they notice little things, like their chores being done, laundry folded, and a note that said, “Go have fun.” They began to realize how it felt to receive kindness and began to think of ways to pass it along to others.
This gift set includes a storybook, a wooden manger, Baby Jesus, and pieces of straw to line the manger. As someone offers kindness, a piece of straw is added to Baby Jesus’ bed, preparing for His arrival on Christmas morning.
You will love the unique paper-pieced illustrations by Emily King also. So creative!
This Advent season family activity is a hands-on way of teaching children about the spirit of giving to others. They may not be tangible gifts, but rather kind gestures that come from the heart.
The Giving Manger tells us that Jesus spent His whole life loving and serving and giving. He asked for nothing in return but our love.
The Giving Manger, by Allison Hottinger gives families a hands-on way of teaching children about the spirit of giving to others. #BookReviewAndGiveaway #ChristmasGiving Click To Tweet
The book also gives plenty of practical ideas for serving others, called Manger Moments.
Ideas for:
Children – hold the door open for someone, make someone’s bed, set the table for dinner.
Teens – babysit for free, tape change to a parking meter, clean the house without being asked.
Families – Pay for someone behind you in the drive-through line, volunteer at a soup kitchen.
Giving Kindness to Others All Year Long
Giving to others needn’t be just a Christmas thing. As we become more aware and grateful for everything we have, we will desire to meet other’s needs as they arise. These kindnesses reflect our generous God, who gives to us.
Offering our gifts by serving and helping others shows the real spirit of Christmas. John 3:16 says, God so loved the world that He GAVE. So this helps children and adults, as we seek to offer our time and generosity without expecting anything in return.
Offering our gifts by serving and helping others shows the real spirit of #Christmas. John 3:16 says, God so loved the world that He GAVE. #GivingGiftsFromTheHeart Click To Tweet
Be sure to look for The Giving Manger wherever books are sold. Here is the info:
The Giving Manger
Written by Allison Hottinger
Illustrated by Emily King
Published by Worthy Kids
The publisher has graciously offered a giveaway copy of The Giving Manger to one of my readers (U.S. addresses only please).
Your comment enters you in a drawing for this gift set. Winner will be announced on October 8, 2021.
Do you have ideas on how to share kindness with others? Share your ideas below. Was someone kind to you; how did it feel?
Hard to believe the holidays will be here soon! Ready, Set, Give 🙂
Jeanne
Looking Advent activities for your family? Enter to win The Giving Manger, by Worthy Kids Publishing. A book, manger, baby Jesus and tales of Giving #GiftsFromtheHeart Click To Tweet
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Thank you Jeanne! What a wonderful way to share the true meaning of Christmas. It is a blessing to receive kindness and then give it as well. God has given us so much!
We can never outgive God, Karen. What a wonderful gift He has given us in His Son, Jesus. Thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts today
Over the years, I have been gifted with the kindness of others in many different ways. It helps when people are kind to you when you’re going through difficult times.
Michelle, those gifts are the best! It’s like God sends them through the hands of another, with a message of ‘you are not alone.’ I appreciate your comment today
God has shown us the greatest kindness in giving us His Son! While we will never out match God’s kindness to us, any little thing that we do for another no matter how big or small out of love for Christ is a gift of kindness.
He is indeed the greatest gift. A kindness undeserved, yet given out of love. Thanks, Sheree
What a sweet way to teach children valuable life lessons. Thank you Ms. Jeanne.
Thanks for stipping in, J.D. I love hands-on learning. The lessons seem to stick better 🙂
I love Christmas–the joy, celebration, giving, love–all of it. This sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you for sharing this review. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for stopping in to share your thoughts, Katherine. I love Christmas too. This book will be a great one to share with my grandchildren year after year.
I love this. What a great idea.
Hi Jennifer. Isn’t it wonderful to hear about creative ideas to share with our kids? Let me know if you use it with your kiddos. I’d love to hear how they like it.
This is so beautiful and creative. Kids will love this and they will be learning valuable lessons without even knowing it. Isn’t that how Jesus taught? Parables gave people life adjustments by listening and then taking His words to heart. Thank you for sharing this, Jeanne!
Thanks for your thoughts, Barbara. Yes! This is such a creative way to engage children in kindness and giving to others. I am looking forward to using it with my grandchildren. Though it will be long-distance sharing which will have challenges. But I think they will love it. I plan to send a pattern for a baby Jesus, manger, and straw for them to make at home.
What a wonderful way to teach kindness! I love the idea of using it with grandchildren long distance. Thank you Jeanne!
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Mary Beth. I think the hands-on activities stick with us…for me at least. Hoping this will be a good long-distance thing we can do together. 🙂
Woohoo!! Mary Beth, you have won a copy of The Giving Manger. Please let me know your mailing address so that the publisher can send it out to you.
I love this idea of teaching kindness to children. Giving is such an important part of who we are as Christians. Thank you for your review.
Shawnee, I’m so glad you joined the conversation. Yesterday was ‘show kindness day’ and a fitting way to share this resource. Kindness is such a simple gift. Simple but it needs to be intentional. And I do think that kindness is caught more than taught. So the more we can model it, the more it will become part of what we are as people and Jesus-followers. Thanks for commenting today