12 Days of Christmas Carols and Crafts: Away in a Manger

Welcome to the first day of Christmas carols and crafts!  Please join us the next few weeks for what I consider "classic" Christmas crafts for little ones!  

I wanted to extend the crafts with my oldest daughters, so I bought the book Christmas Carols for Kid's Heart (Hymns for a Kid's Heart, Vol. 3).  The book shares stories and background information for twelve Christmas carols.  I also love the included CD with orchestral arrangements of the songs and sweet little children's voices!  We won't make a craft for every song in the book, but we'll do several of them -- along with some fun songs like "Jingle Bells"!

Today's Hymn:  Away in a Manger. 

*You can find the words and music here.

Thought for discussion:  Talk about the line "No crib for a bed".  Does your child know what a manger is?  What would it be like to sleep in a manger?  Find more information to share here.

Let's begin with an easy Nativity set!

You need:

Cards with nativity scenes

or printable nativity from Making Friends

Scissors

Glue

Magnets

1)  If you're able to find cards with nativity scenes, cut out the various people and animals needed.  If not, print a Nativity set on cardstock.  You could even color your own!

2)  Cut out the figures and attach magnets.

3)  Use the magnetic figures to retell the story of Jesus' birth.

We currently have our figures on the dishwasher, but a metal cake pan with a lid would also make a great place to retell the story.  You could store the pieces inside, too!

Free Advent Devotional from A Holy Experience

I've posted quite a few bargains and coupon codes over the last few days.  My hope is that it helped you save some money on your Christmas shopping! 

But now, I want to draw our attention back to the real meaning of the season with this beautiful, free download from A Holy Experience (and my final bargain post of weekend)! 

May your heart be quiet and still in the midst of the chaos of the season.  May you worship the One who came so humbly and gave His life so we might have life abundantly!

Thanks, I Heart Coupon Deals

$10 Off $25 Purchase at The Natural Store

If you're interested in natural and organic items, I just signed up for this Tell-A-Friend program at The Natural Store!  If you click my link, I'll receive credit and YOU can receive $10 off your $25 purchase. Then, you can sign up and tell your friends about it to earn credit and share a coupon with them, too!

6PM: Shoes up to 85% Off

6pm has several clearance items up to 85% off.  These Converse shoes for kids start at $5.60!  You can also find New Balance shoes from $10.48!  Shipping is a flat $6.95 regardless of order size.

Up to 59% Off Toys at Diapers.com

Through today, Diapers.com has up to 40% off select toys!  If this is your first order, use the code mess to save an extra 15% off everything.  Plus, you can shop through Ebates to earn 4% cashback!

Free shipping starts at $49, but if you buy something through their sister site (Soap.com), you can get free shipping starting at $25!  See site for details!

20% Off Fashion Playtes

 

Just a reminder!  Fashion Playtes has offered a special coupon code for my readers (amazingmess20).  Enter it when you check out to save 20% on merchandise orders over $35 through tomorrow (11/30)!

Oriental Trading: FREE Shipping + Extra 8% Off Sale Prices

If you're looking for stocking stuffers, crafts kits, or party items, make sure to check out Oriental Trading's Christmas SALE!  Shipping on any size order is free with the code FREENOV. 

*Shop through E-bates to earn 8% cashback today! 

The Christmas Baby for $2.69

I have a tradition of buying the girls a book about Christmas and giving it to them at the beginning of December.  This year, I bought The Christmas Baby for $2.69 at Christian Book.  It is so cute (with an Advent calendar and a pop-up Nativity) -- and a great value!

Christian Book has many bargain books available (some as low as $1)!  If you're looking for inexpensive Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers, check out their selection!

Download VeggieTales' Singing Christmas Tree for FREE!

Amazon still has The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree MP3 album available to download for free!  Plus, several songs from the VeggieTales' 25 Favorite Christmas Songs are free!

Not interested in VeggieTales?!!  Check out Amazon's free sampler - Timeless Christmas! 

4 GB Flash Drive for $5.99

Office Max has this Kingston 4 GB Flash Drive for just $5.99 (regular $19.99).  You can check out all the Cyber Monday deals here.

*To save even more, shop through E-Bates to earn 6% cashback!

Final Day of Usborne Bargains!

Usborne has more great bargains today!  My two favorite deals include the Luxury Touchy-Feely Polar Bears book for just $6.40 (regularly $15.99) and the Farm Magnet Book for $8.00 (regularly $19.99).  Several more items are available (including stencil books and sticker books).  See them all here!

Melissa and Doug Toys up to 60% Off AND Free Shipping

For a limited time, Amazon has $10 off a $40 purchase of select Melissa and Doug toys and activities.  This is on top of already discouted prices!  Find more details here!

Cyber Monday!

I have a few Cyber Monday savings posts coming up.  Then, we'll be back to regular posting! 

Thanks for letting me share with you!  I've had great fun sharing bargains and several reports of saved $$.  That makes me happy! 

I hope you'll stick around!  Starting tomorrow, I'll be posting The Twelve Days of Christmas Crafts and Carols!

Spirited Sunday: Mom Heart Conferences

Last winter, a group of us went through Sally Clarkson's The Ministry of Motherhood: Following Christ's Example in Reaching the Hearts of Our Children.  It is an inspiring book on our role as mothers.  When I'm feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, I like to pick up this book and be reminded how important my job is and how God will strengthen me for the task.

I can't recommend this book highly enough!  She has several other books I own and love as well:   The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity and Educating The WholeHearted Child (which is currently being revised and will be republished early next year)!  A friend has also recommended Seasons of a Mother's Heart.

Over the next few months, Sally Clarkson will be speaking at four conferences entitled My Mom Heart Matters - Reclaiming Motherhood, Shaping the Future.  The two-day conference will encourage and inspire you!

Four locations include:

January 21-22: Colorado Springs, CO
February 4-5: Irvine/OC, CA
February 18-19: Irving/DFW, TX
March 4-5: Raleigh/Durham, NC

If you live anywhere close to these locations, I would encourage you to check the conference out!  If I could, I'd be there in a heartbeat!  Sally is so passionate about communicating how much mothering matters!!

"Happy Birthday, Jesus" Kit from Dayspring

Dayspring has this Really Woolly Kids - Happy Birthday, Jesus! Celebration Kit on sale for $3.99 AND they are currently having a Super Sale!  Use the coupon code SUPER30 to receive 30% off and get the kit for $2.79! 

Dayspring also carries many other cards, gifts, and home decor.  Several of their clearance items and cards would be quite inexpensive after the 30% code (SUPER30).  The code is valid through November 30th.

Free Shipping at Oriental Trading

When I was teaching, I used to buy craft kits and other supplies through Oriental Trading!  I was excited to see that through November 29th, you can receive free shipping on any size order with the code FREENOV.

Plus, if you shop through E-Bates, you can receive 8% cash back today!

$5 Veggie Tales at Family Christian Stores

Family Christian Stores has $5 Online Doorbusters and $5 Family Values through November 28th!  I found several Veggie Tales DVDs for $5 (including The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's and The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything).  Orders over $40 ship free.  They have many other gift items as well!  Check out their selection here!

*Shop through Shop-at-Home to receive 2% Cash Back!

Save 20% and Get FREE Shipping at Kohl's

Kohl's has some great sales going on today!  You can use the code EXTRA20 to get an additional 20% off your order.  Also you can stack it with the code CONTACTFR to get free shipping!

Also, Shop-at-Home and E-Bates are offering double cashback at many online locations today.  Shop through them to get 4% cashback on purchases at Kohls!

Thanks, Money Saving Mom

15% and FREE Shipping at ShindigZ

If you're needing party supplies or crafts, ShindigZ has free shipping and 15% off any size order through November 29th!!  Use the code WSTCAH  (It looks like several of the shape bracelets from last week's deal are still available as well).

 

*Update:  If you shop through E-Bates, you can get 24% back! (Thanks, Crystal!)

Workbook for Christmas?!!

I'm not sure what to think of this, but my four year old is asking for a workbook for Christmas!!   I'm looking at The Old Schoolhouse store (one of my favorite places to find homeschooling resources) and Christian Book.

Today through Monday, the Old Schoolhouse store is offering special gifts with every purchase $30 and up!!

Secret Groupon Deals

This is fun!!  Groupon (a daily deal site) has offered me a special link with great deals you won't find on their homepage.  They are "hidden" and only accessible through this link!!  Go here to see five special Black Friday offers!!  (Looks like lots of yummy things to eat -- and read!)

$5 Magazines at Amazon

If you're looking for magazine subscriptions for gifts, Amazon has several titles available for $5 right now!  Plus, spend $30 on magazines and receive a $10 credit to use on a future purchase!  (You could possibly score 6 magazine subscriptions for $20!!)


Titles include:
 
Woman's Day (1-year auto-renewal)

 

Sports Illustrated KIDS (1-year auto-renewal)

 
Popular Science (1-year auto-renewal)

 

Health (1-year auto-renewal)



Redbook (1-year auto-renewal)


SmartMoney (1-year auto-renewal)

There are several other $5 titles!  One thing to keep in mind is that all of these subscriptions are auto-renewal!  But don't worry...it's no problem!  After your order has been processed, go into your account and find "Manage Magazine Subscriptions".  Then, turn off the automatic renewal!