Are You Grumpy Santa?

Today's highlighted book is: Are You Grumpy, Santa? by Gregg & Evan Spiridellis

We all have those bad days where nothing seems to go our way, turns out even Santa does. This rhyming picture book tells of Santa's no good, very bad day, and the kicker is it's also Christmas. Fortunately some kind children help to save the day and drive the grouchiness away!







Similar Titles:

• The Longest Christmas List Ever by Gregg & Evan Spiridellis
• Santa's Stuck by Rhonda Gowler Greene
• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Elf Yourself and More!

The author's of today's highlighted books are also the brothers who founded JibJab. Every year around this time their website hosts a tool to let you Elf Yourself for free, sponsored by Office Max. Using digital pictures you can elf your whole family and easily share it with friends via email or Facebook.

In addition to Elfing Yourself, you can also send ecards using you family's digital photos, including versions of "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story". There are even sendables for Hanukkah!

Your family is sure to get a good belly laugh from this activity, one Santa himself would be proud of.

Dear Santa

Today's highlighted book is: Dear Santa: The Letters of James B. Dobbins complied by Bill Harley

This book tells the story of hockey loving big brother, James Dobbins, as told through his own letters to Santa in which he tells St. Nick of his difficulty with being nice to his sister, his strong desire for all things hockey, a rink in the back yard would be amazing, and how sorry he is for the bad things he's done in the past year. One particular touching moment happens when James gives his teacher her Christmas present and then confides in Santa how much fun it is to give to others and see their faces when they receive your gift. An endearing book, great for sharing.



Similar Titles:

• Dear Santa Claus by Alan Durant
• Dear Santa . . . by Ronne Randall
• Cat's Letters to Santa by Bill Adler
• The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg

Write a Letter to Santa

There's not real instructions required for this activity - just make it fun! You might consider including: Christmas stationary, special Christmas stamps (The USPS has made evergreen seasonal Forever Stamps this year), stickers, rubber stamps, glitter and sealing it all up with some sealing wax before mailing it off to Santa! (I love Nostalgic Impressions for sealing wax and seals).

One suggestion I do have might be to include a thank you within the letter and requests for gifts for needy children, especially if your family sponsors a child. And if you don't sponsor a child, you might consider it, even if just for the holiday season, through organizations like The Angel Tree, Salvation Army Angel Tree or Operation Christmas Child.

Also, if you want to be really green and not use paper to send Santa a letter, you can Email Santa.

Happy Holidays!