The past few years we have been giving our children stacks of books on Christmas morning. This year, between the morning sickness and the virus I caught a couple weeks before Christmas, I never got around to ordering the last of the books. I had more than enough books for a few of the children but not even one for a couple of them… I ended up deciding to save the books for Epiphany (Little Christmas) instead, giving myself plenty of time to find a few more. However, the weather got really bad and some of my shipments didn’t even arrive by Epiphany. I ended up simplifying some of the stacks, to make them a little more even, and saving some of the extra books to give as Easter and Birthday gifts later this year.
Most of the children didn’t mind at all that their stacks were smaller, but our nine year old commented, “Now that I actually like books, my stack is so much smaller than usual!” A few years ago he was the one who, as he was opening the last book in his stack, was overheard saying, “Please don’t be a book, please don’t be a book, pleeeeassse don’t be a book… Oh NO! It is a BOOK! And it’s a bad one… There is a FAIRY in it!”
Captain (age 16) received two additional books from the series he was given last year by Rev. Henry S Spalding S.J. The Marks of the Bear Claws and The Race for Copper Island. Also available directly from St. Augustine Academy Press.
Ranger (age 14) received Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 3: Build Siege Weapons of the Dark Ages along with Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction Targets: 100+ Tear-Out Targets, Plus 5 New Mini Weapons
The older boys were also given a copy of the brand new book by John Flanagan, The Battle of Packham Heath to add to their collection of Ranger’s Apprentice books, the inspiration behind the Ranger’s Apprentice Birthday Party a couple years ago.
Twinkle Toes (age 13) has been reading through the Nancy Drew books again and asked for Book 1 in the series to add to the collection she has from my childhood. She received The Secret of the Old Clock as well as Color the Classics: Anne of Green Gables: A Coloring Book Visit to Prince Edward Island.
Chiquita (age 11) received God and the General’s Daughter as well as The Chronicles of Narnia Official Coloring Book. She has been loving her writing class this year using Following Narnia Volume 1: The Lion’s Song and has already requested a Narnia themed birthday!
Snuggles (age 9) received Strangers at the Manger, as well as three books from the Matt Christopher Sport Series: The Hockey Machine, Ice Magic, and Body Check. (Thank you for the suggestion, Debbie, he has read all three of them already and looks forward to reading more in the series!)
Rose (age 7) ended up receiving (and has been loving!) the Jingle Bells Christmas Carol Coloring I had gotten at a discount with purchase at Barnes and Noble, a copy of I am Therese (to go along with the Doll she received for Christmas, and The Story of the Snow Children. She was one of the ones whose books didn’t arrive in time, but I now have some gorgeous fairy tales stashed away for her Easter basket!
Bud (age 5) received Ollie’s Ski Trip, Favorite Thornton Burgess Animal Stories Boxed Set and Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Oh joy! So many inspirational ways to celebrate Epiphany! So many terrific book recommendations! Thank you, Jessica, for sharing and inspiring us in ways to glorify God. You are a blessing.
2017-01-16 16:50:13
What a great idea to give books as gifts on Epiphany. Our family keeps books for upcoming holidays and birthdays. I love your posts. Marion
2017-01-16 23:07:07
Beautifully wrapped gifts for Epiphany! I love the gold wrapping paper and I love that the Epiphany gifts are BOOKS! Giving the gift of "wisdom". I think you started a new tradition…. for your family…. and ours!! "Stacks of books"!!
2017-01-17 04:09:57
I enjoyed this post concerning books for your children. My sisters and I always give and receive mainly books for special occasions. We always give books for birthdays,Christmas.We give books on ,name days and baptism days most of the time,too. Marilyn
2017-01-17 20:35:39
This is a lovely tradition…celebrating Little Christmas on the Feast of Epiphany. Such wonderful books for all of your children. I am so tickled that Snuggles enjoyed reading the hockey books by Matt Christopher. He was such a talented author with great stories about boys sports. I am so happy that his books are still in print for all boys to enjoy reading. Beautiful photos of your dear children and your family celebration. Thank you for sharing…~Debbie
2017-01-25 04:29:34