Jan Dargatz

Of all the Christmas books of this ilk, it's the most helpful one I've read; though, it is repetitive in some places. Every Chapter was supposed to have a different Christmas related suggestion. At times it seemed like suggestions would come in one chapter and then have their own heading later on, having already been mentioned under a different chapter heading. I enjoyed it though, and actually took down some notes in my journal on suggestions for Christmas questions to contemplate in show more Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. I also took down some of the craft/packaging suggestions. For example, Dargatz recommended taking the fronts of of last year's Christmas cards and sending them as postcards in order to save money and paper. That seems pretty cute and clever. I'd recommend borrowing it from the local library, as I am glad I read it, but we don't need to own a copy. show less

All pretty obvious, but well organized as a checklist.I am watching my daughter and son-in-law prepare their twins for life..now 16, and they have just about done them all....maps, tutoring, selecting schools, build a home library. Turn off the TV is the hard one and were this book edited this year texting and cell phones would be the biggies.

Exciting, easy to use ideas for celebrating the season: International Christmas custom, build an ornament collection, invite a foreign student to share your Christmas dinner, Have a caroling party, make a special gift to your favorite charity etc.

I suppose this book is designed for reading and meditating upon over a period of fifty-two weeks. I took about two months to read it as part of my daily reading program. The book is an easy read. The author offers good suggestions on how to improve your spiritual life.