A Family Guide to Gratitude

How can you make this holiday mean more than just turkey and football? Choose one or several of these ideas to help your family enjoy fun Thanksgiving traditions while expressing thanks to God for His many blessings.

Holidays Family Night Tool Chest 
By Jim Weidmann, Ron Wilsen, Kurt Bruner

Give your kids meaningful holiday memories they'll treasure for a lifetime. This delightful book is jam-packed with fun-filled activities and creative craft ideas for kids and parents to enjoy together on holiday "family nights." Includes devotional lessons, activities, and discussion starters for Christmas, Easter, Mothers' and Fathers' Day, Valentine's Day-even the Fourth of July.

Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember (Hardcover with CD)
By Barbara Rainey 

Thanksgiving often concentrates only on food and football rather than spiritual freedom and God’s provision. This year, take a biblical look at Thanksgiving’s original meaning and make traditions tailored to your own family. Full-color gift book with CD-ROM that includes 20 to 35 minutes of Thanksgiving music, pages to journal your own memories, and ideas for family Thanksgiving traditions.

Created by Barbara Rainey of Family Life Today, each elegant page reflects her warmth and creativity. A keepsake book with presentation page, beautifully illustrated; Scripture quotations throughout. A bestselling Thanksgiving book you’ll enjoy all through autumn!

Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember (Audio Book)

By Barbara Rainey

Begin a new Thanksgiving tradition in your home with this dramatic audio presentation of the Pilgrims’ exciting Thanksgiving adventures! You will be moved by their courage, challenged by their perseverance, and influenced by their heart of thankfulness for God’s goodness and provision. This creative resource will inspire you to remember the past and express gratitude for the blessings of today.

It’s perfect to listen to on the way to Grandma’s. Includes a Thanksgiving praise and worship CD, too!

Let’s Talk Turkey (Resource Pack)

By: FamilyLife®

If you’ve ever hoped Thanksgiving could last longer and mean more, then fill your holiday with God-ward gratefulness, warm conversation, and rich history with the Let’s Talk Turkey resource pack. Suitable for any spiritual level, these eighteen ink-jet-compatible table tents serve as place cards with a thought-provoking question of gratitude for each guest. They are also designed as keepsakes for each person to record a point of personal thanks. The host guide will help maximize your experience and get your conversation cooking.

Growing Together in Gratitude (Hardcover)
By Barbara Rainey

Whatever it is, He is still good. Children are not born thankful. After all, adults struggle with thankfulness; we often feel we deserve good things. We are selfish and we want what we want. Yet we are often disappointed and think gratitude only applies to happy times.

But God has made it clear that expressing gratitude is not optional or occasional and that He takes our lack of faith, expressed in complaining, very seriously. Our circumstances leave us with choices: Will we focus on ourselves or God’s character? Our short-sighted plan or His perfect, all-seeing faithfulness?

Gratitude is neither easy nor quick. But it can be taught, and inspiring role models can lead us there. The heroes who step from these pages motivate us to follow. They possessed the courage to deny self-pity, believing in God and His loving interest in their circumstances. Their true stories will capture your family’s imagination and hearts, granting vision and role models who will redefine contentment, trust, and thankfulness for everyone around your table.

With captivating stories to read as a family, this seven-day interactive devotional from speaker and best-selling author Barbara Rainey saturates minds and hearts with memorable accounts and vivid illustrations of true heroes who made noble choices.

Each day also includes: A key Bible verse, questions to discuss together, a suggested prayer, and a personal record of your family’s character as it relates to these stories.

Encounter real-life heroes right in your living room and begin to grow together in character as a family.  Growing Together in Gratitude is part of The Character Stories for Families Series: Heart-changing history.

Thanksgiving: A Harvest Celebration (Softcover)
By Julie Stiegemeyer

The American holiday of Thanksgiving began when settlers set aside time to give thanks to God for preserving them and providing for them in the very harsh environment they discovered in the New World. Today, we still set aside time to gather with people who are important to us, to share God’s abundant gifts, and to give Him thanks and praise for these gifts.

This picture book presents a shortened, somewhat fictionalized version of the Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving feast. It discusses current Thanksgiving traditions, such as a family meal and sharing with those less advantaged. Recommended for ages 4 to 9.

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving
By Eric Metaxas

This entertaining and historical story shows that the actual hero of the first Thanksgiving was neither white nor Indian, but God. In 1608, English traders came to Massachusetts, captured a 12-year-old Indian, Squanto, and sold him into slavery. He was raised by Christians and taught faith in God. Ten years later, he was sent home to America. Upon arrival, he learned an epidemic had wiped out his entire village. But God had plans for Squanto. God delivered a Thanksgiving miracle: An English-speaking Indian living in the exact place where the Pilgrims land in a strange new world. Recommended for ages 5 to 10.

The Legend of Squanto (CD)
Focus on the Family Radio Theatre

This audio drama brings to light the story of one of America’s early legends – "Squanto." History remembers Tisquantum as the Native American who taught early settlers to fish and farm. He’s even credited with the first Thanksgiving. But few hear the story of the condemnation that dragged him outside America to a life in chains and what he discovered after his exile. It’s an inspiring true story of this little-known early American who triumphed over injustice and changed what would become the United States.

A Bethlehem Christmas
By Chuck Swindoll

Sit back with some eggnog and enjoy a fresh version of the Christmas story – retold by Insight for Living host Swindoll! Combining regal mystery and humble human experience, he weaves the perspectives of Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, and Immanuel into a unique and joyful glimpse of the baby who changed the world. 192 pages, 5" x 7" hardcover from Countryman.

A Christmas Carol: Focus on the Family Radio Theatre
By: Paul McCusker, Dave Arnold

A full cast of award-winning voice actors bring Charles Dickens’ timeless story to life as never before! Dramatizing the struggle between earthly gain and eternal treasure, it challenges you to examine your own heart to re-evaluate where your treasure lies. This Focus on the Family Radio Theatre production features over 90 minutes of family entertainment. Full cast narration. Cinema sound. Original music score. Recorded at the Soundhouse LTD. London, United Kingdom.

25 Days, 26 Ways to Make This Your Best Christmas Ever
By Ace Collins

If Christmas seems like it is all about finding the perfect gift, maxing out your credit cards, and endless baking, Collins wants to help you make this Christmas your best holiday ever! In 25 Days, 26 Ways, he blends fascinating stories from history and spiritual truths about the holiday season, gently guiding you toward a new way of thinking about Christmas. Reading this partly devotional, partly practical, and always thoughtful book, you are only twenty-five days and twenty-six ways away from your best Christmas ever! Jacketed hardcover.

Advent Foretold: A December Devotional for All Ages
By Gary Sanseri

Exciting for children and edifying for adults, this December devotional enables all ages to study together the many foretold prophecies of the coming Messiah. Marvel together at the supernatural fulfillment of each of these unlikely predictions, and sing the carols which highlight daily readings throughout the month of December. Rejoice together as you share in our rich Christian heritage.

Christ in Christmas:  A Family Advent Celebration
By Chuck Swindoll

A perfect way to make sure the Light of the world shines brightly in your home this holiday season. Devotionals, hymns, prayers, scripture passages, Christmas carols, questions to ponder, a complete Advent Scripture reading plan, and special activities to help you build family traditions for years to come.

Holidays: Family Nights Tool Chest
By Jim Weidmann, Ron Wilson, and Kurt Bruner

Give your kids meaningful holiday memories they will treasure for a lifetime. This delightful book is jam-packed with fun-filled activities and creative craft ideas for kids and parents to enjoy together on holiday "family nights." Includes devotional lessons, activities, and discussion starters for Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and the Fourth of July.

Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving
Veggie Tales DVD

Laura Carrot’s holiday stocking might be empty this year because her dad could lose his job. While Larry is sure a letter to the North Pole will fix everything, Bob thinks he knows what will really help! But his story about a boy named Nicholas who changed Christmas forever leaves everybody wondering, "What’s that got to do with us?" Discover the power of a simple gift with this fun-loaded DVD. Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving also features the new song and Operation Christmas Child video "Give this Christmas Away" with Matthew West and Amy Grant! Approx. 45 minutes.

The Legend Of The Candy Cane 
By Lori Walburg

One dark November night a stranger rides into a small prairie town. Who is he? Why has he come? The townspeople wish he were a doctor, a dressmaker, or a trader. But the children have the greatest wish of all, a deep, quiet wish. Then a young girl named Lucy befriends the newcomer. When he reveals his identity and shares with her the legend of the candy cane, she discovers the fulfillment of her wishes and the answer to the town's dreams. Now will she share what she has learned? Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

The Nativity Story, DVD Word Entertainment Inc

The most magnificent portrayal of the nativity ever! Witness the struggles and joys of the Holy Family – and the Savior’s birth at the turning point of history. Epic in scope yet intimate in detail, this major motion picture spared nothing to ensure historical accuracy and cinematic power. A film to be cherished for years to come! Starring Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) and Oscar Isaac. Rated PG (some violence). Dove approved. Approx. 101 minutes.

The Very First Christmas, Hardcover
By Paul L. Maier

Many children’s Christmas books are long on fancy and short on fact. Most of them ignore the themes of the first Christmas and opt instead for fairy tale settings or winter tableaus. This beautifully illustrated book, a Gold Medallion Book Award winner, fills the gap by presenting fresh insights into the Christmas story from both the scriptural and secular context.

The book tells the story of a young boy, Christopher, who no longer wants to hear fairy tales; he only wants real bedtime stories. So his mother tells the amazing and miraculous story of Jesus’ birth. Along the way, Christopher learns the answers to some challenging questions about the Christmas story. And all the answers are right from the Bible. Recommended for ages 5 to 10, 32 pages.

What God Wants for Christmas (Book with Audio CD)
By Amy L. Bradford

The What God Wants for Christmas read-along / sing-along set makes storytelling fun! Enjoy a beautifully illustrated book and a read-along / sing-along audio book featuring narration by the angel Gabriel and carols sung by children. Word-for-word narration encourages independent reading while revealing the exciting gift God wants for Christmas.

The Legend Of The Christmas Tree 
By Rick Osborne

A father’s prayer for his family to understand the deeper meaning of our Christmas celebrations becomes a reality during the search for a perfect Christmas tree. The family discovers the meaning behind one of their favorite Christmas traditions in The Legend of the Christmas Tree.

Resurrection Eggs  
By Family Life

Teach your children the true meaning of Easter with a unique dozen of interactive eggs, each containing one object pertaining to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Colorful plastic eggs with visual reminders are a proven learning tool for children age 3 and up. Directions are provided in English and Spanish; use for Sunday School, family devotions, and sharing the good news that Jesus lives!

What God Wants for Christmas--An Interactive Kid- Friendly Nativity 
By Family Life

Create a powerful Christmas memory! Gather daily with your family to share a Bible-based poem, and as your children open the colorful little presents one by one, they'll discover the characters to complete the nativity scene. But the seventh gift is the surprise that God wants most--one that will open a child's heart to Jesus. From the same people who brought you the Resurrection Eggs, you can use this hands-on lesson in Sunday schools, outreach events, or family devotions, over many days or all at once. It's simple, easy to use, and fun for all ages! This set includes a colorful pop-up stable, seven gift boxes, six hand-painted nativity figures, and an illustrated storybook/guidebook. Recommended for ages 3 and up.