Gifts from the Heart: Simple ways to make your family's Christmas more meaningful [Paperback]

Virginia Brucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 2009

Are you overwhelmed by the frantic commercialism of our modern Christmas? Do you long for a more meaningful celebration? Gifts from the Heart contains hundreds of simple ideas that will help you create a warmer, more loving celebration focused on sharing and giving. Parents, grandparents, early childhood educators, teachers, and youth group leaders will love the imaginative ideas in this book. Gifts from the Heart is filled with: -time-saving tips for busy families -delightful kid-tested craft projects -heartwarming ideas for family traditions and capturing memories -fun-filled activities that help grandparents connect with their grandchildren -terrific suggestions for gifts that develop imagination, creativity, and literacy -practical ideas for helping our planet and our animal friends -delicious tried-and-true recipes for cooks of all ages -presentation tips and fabulous recipes for gifts from the kitchen -party and potluck tips and recipes -easy-to-do volunteer activities that make a difference to others during the holidays -tips for divorced parents and blended families -meaningful ways to help friends and family struggling with illness or loss at Christmas

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Virginia Brucker has been a primary school teacher for more than 20 years. She lives in Nanoose Bay, BC.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 334 pages
• Publisher: Idiomatic (January 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001P7DPDQ
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,111,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A number of delicious holiday-themed recipes pepper this welcome antidote to the rampant commercialization of Christmas., March 4, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gifts from the Heart: Simple Ways to Make Your Family's Christmas More Meaningful (Paperback)

Written by teacher Virginia Brucker, Gifts from the Heart: Simple Ways To Make Your Family's Christmas More Meaningful lives up to its title by offering ways to celebrate the Christmas holiday centered upon sharing, giving, and community rather than simple consumerism. Chapters cover volunteering as a family, tips for getting organized and freeing up time, ways to reach out to friends and loved ones suffering from loss during the holidays, kid-tested craft projects, ways to celebrate with books and share the gift of literacy, and much more. A number of delicious holiday-themed recipes pepper this welcome antidote to the rampant commercialization of Christmas.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring back holidays with heart, October 24, 2007

By 

A. Medea - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gifts from the Heart: Simple Ways to Make Your Family's Christmas More Meaningful (Paperback)

Does it feel like the only meaningful holiday experience you have with your kids involves sitting in front of a TV? Do you want something more for your family? Gifts from the Heart will show you how.

This wonderful book has long been a seasonal best-seller in Canada, where Ms. Brucker first created it as a fund-raiser to fight cancer. This book shows you how to take back the Christmas season. It features suggestions for volunteering as a family, tips to offset the "gimmies," and simple, but meaningful traditions and crafts. It's also a great book for families pulling together in the face of misfortune, like a serious illness.

This book can help your family create memories worth having and will help you believe in the holidays again. It's a book with a tremendous heart.

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a gift from the heart!, October 10, 2007

By 

Cheryl F. Coon "author, Books to Grow With: ... (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gifts from the Heart: Simple Ways to Make Your Family's Christmas More Meaningful (Paperback)

What a lovely book, just right for the season! This gentle, charming book reminds us of what the meaning of the holidays really is -- while providing hours of fun activities and recipes. Written by a teacher who knows what appeals to kids and families, it's the one book you need to share with your children and grandchildren the true meaning of Christmas.