As you know we’ve been rebuilding things on here even though we want to keep the heart of TheMommiesReviews.com on The Greatful Moments but with upgrades and that is why our Gift Guides have gone Interactive this year. Make sure you not only check out our Christmas Interactive Gift Guide Here! Along with our Fall Interactive Gift Guide and our Interactive Halloween Gift Guide here.

I don’t know about you but Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. But it’s not because of the presents. It’s not because of what we might find underneath the Christmas tree. It’s because of the meaning of Christmas.

Here at Greatful Moments, we believe in the Lord, and we believe that the true meaning of Christmas is something worth remembering and celebrating because he is the reason for the Season and it is his Birthday and it’s why here at Grateful Moments were thankful, grateful and thankful for the season.

We all our own person and we may not believe the same thing and we may have a different belief. Perhaps faith isn’t part of your Christmas at all. That’s okay. But I want to be honest with you about what you’ll find here at Greatful Moments.

You will hear about Him throughout our Christmas season. And not just during Christmas. Faith is part of who we are at Greatful Moments, so you’ll continue to see and hear about the Lord throughout our site.

If that’s not something you’re comfortable with, we completely understand. Like I said earlier you might enjoy our Interactive Fall Gift Guide or our Interactive Halloween Gift Guide instead, where you can find plenty of family activities, fun ideas and ways to make memories together.

But if you’re joining us for Christmas, welcome. Because this year we’re doing Christmas a little differently. I usually believe in enjoying one holiday at a time. I want to enjoy Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving before jumping headfirst into Christmas.

But Christmas has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute we’re sitting down for Thanksgiving, and the next we’re wondering how Christmas arrived so quickly—and how we’re going to get everything done. So this year, we’re giving you a little something extra.

We’re taking our usual Christmas Gift Guide and turning it into the Greatful Moments Christmas Interactive Gift Guide. And it isn’t going to be just a list of presents. We’re going to create activities that families, friends and neighbors of all ages can enjoy together.

Children can participate. Teenagers can participate. Parents can participate. Grandparents can participate. Friends can participate. And we’re even going to create activities that can bring neighbors and our communities together along with our pets.

We’re also going to keep one very important thing in mind: You shouldn’t have to spend a lot of money to have a wonderful Christmas. Before you purchase something for one of our activities, check with your family and friends. Someone may already have what you need.

Then check your craft drawers. Look through the supplies you already have. Look in the pantry. Check the Christmas decorations you’ve packed away. Also check out decorations you’ve used during other parts of the year.

And when we do need to purchase something, we’re going to look for inexpensive supplies, clearance finds, bargain stores and ways to make your money stretch.

Look at home first.
Ask friends and family second.
Check the clearance aisle.
Spend money only when you need to.

Because this isn’t supposed to become another reason to spend money during an already expensive time of year. It’s supposed to become another reason to spend time together. And here’s where the interactive part comes in.

Throughout the Christmas season, we’re going to create activities. Complete an activity? You can earn a Christmas Ticket. Reward for at least 10 minutes and earn a 2nd ticket. Those tickets will go into your family’s Christmas Treat Jar.

And at the end of our Christmas adventure, those tickets can be turned into a special reward chosen by your family. Remember Greatful Moments will not be providing the prizes they come from your family.

It could be a favorite treat you make together. Maybe it’s a movie night and you get to pick the movie and snack. Maybe it’s hot chocolate or your favorite Winter beverage and cookies.

Maybe it’s choosing what’s for dinner and helping prepare it. Maybe it’s going to look at Christmas lights and you get to pick the snacks and drinks to take with you. Maybe it’s an inexpensive outing. Maybe it’s simply spending special time together.

The reward doesn’t have to cost much. It may not cost anything at all. Because the real reward is the memory you make getting there. We’re going to read and we’re going to bake. We’re going to create and we’re going to play. We’re going to explore our communities and were going to look at Christmas lights.

We’re going to watch Christmas movies and we’re going to find budget-friendly Christmas ideas. We’re going to discover places to go and things to do. And we’re going to look for ways to help others along the way.

Some activities will be silly and some will be educational which #Homeschoolers can use as a lesson. Some will be delicious and some will get us moving. And some will simply give us an opportunity to sit down with the people we love and talk. Because sometimes that’s exactly what we need.

One of my favorite ideas we’re going to do this year is our Christmas Lights Neighborhood Walking Challenge. Grab your favorite beverage and gather your family or friends. Leave the phones in the car—except for one designated photographer.

Then walk and look at the lights. Talk to one another. Decide which house you like best. Which display is the funniest and which one is the most creative? Which one made you smile? And while you’re doing it, you’re getting some steps in and spending time together instead of everyone staring at a screen. That’s the kind of Christmas I want to help create.

A Christmas where we remember why we’re celebrating and a Christmas where we don’t have to spend a fortune. A Christmas where children and adults can participate together and a Christmas where families make memories. A Christmas where friends and neighbors can join in. A Christmas where we slow down long enough to appreciate the people around us.

So yes, we’re going to have Christmas gifts. We’re going to have Christmas shopping. We’re going to have reviews, recipes, cookbooks, books, movies, local events, DFW adventures and plenty of fun.

But those things aren’t going to be the heart of this guide. The heart is Christmas. And for us, that means remembering the meaning behind it. So welcome to the Greatful Moments Christmas Interactive Gift Guide.

We’re going to shop a little. Save a little. Create a little. Play a little. Give a little. And hopefully, we’ll make a whole lot of memories. Tomorrow, we’re going to make our Christmas Treat Jar and our Christmas Tickets.

So check those craft drawers before you buy anything. Find a jar. A box or envelope to keep your tickets in and you will need one for everyone participating and yes, mom and dad that means you to.

Find some ribbon and find some paper. Find something you already have that can become part of our Christmas adventure. Because we’re starting this journey together. Do the activity and earn a ticket. Fill the jar and make a Christmas memory. And most importantly, remember the meaning of Christmas which is why my family is Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates