12 Gifts for Christ by Merrilee Boyack

Publication: October 2013
Length: 112 pages
My Rating: *****--5 Stars
Source: I received a copy from the publisher for review

Book Blurb: 

Christmas is a time for celebrating the birth of Christ and a time for giving. In the middle of this busy season, it is easy to forget the very reason why we celebrate. The first Christmas began with gifts of light and gold. This Christmas ask: What gifts can I give to Him?

In 12 Gifts for Christ, author Merrilee Boyack suggests ways we can give to the Savior, including having gratitude, sharing through service, and loving others. With examples of these gifts shared through personal stories, scriptures, activities, and family home evening lessons, she suggests presenting those gifts to Christ in letters placed in stockings or brightly wrapped boxes. Following the ideas of this book will truly add joy to the spirit in our hearts and homes during Christmas!

My Review: 
I thought this was a fantastic book with some really good ideas on how to bring Christ more into your Christmas traditions. I loved how each chapter had ideas for personal scriptures study, family devotionals, family home evening ideas (including songs, lessons, games and activities), as well as things to do specifically on Christmas. The conclusion shares some great ideas as well.

I have two teenagers and two younger kids. Even though this book seems geared more towards a younger family, I found there are definitely some things in here that can benefit us and help us focus more on Christ this holiday season. I'm not a really creative person, so having someone give me ideas on ways to serve and show love gets me thinking and a lot of these ideas are easily adaptable to your own personal situations.

This is definitely a keeper and I'm glad I read it before the Christmas season officially starts so that I can start plugging some of these things into our own family traditions.

About the Author:
Merrilee Boyack is a crazed woman who loves eating out and taking naps when she can. She is an estate-planning attorney who conducts her law practice from home. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in business management—finance, and from University of Santa Clara Law School. Merrilee is also a professional lecturer, featured for many years at BYU Education Week, and a published author. Her interests include reading, camping, talking, eating, and helping children in Africa. She’s now a pesco-vegetarian and is having to relearn how to cook!

She is the author of several books and talks, including The Parenting Breakthrough, Strangling Your Husband Is Not an Option; Toss the Guilt and Catch the Joy; and her most recent, In Trying Times, Just Keep Trying. Merrilee and her husband, Steve, reside in Poway, California, and have four sons, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way!