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Hello, Reader.

Have you finished all your Christmas shopping? Or are you more akin to my son who had to swing by a gas station early one Christmas morning to have something to wrap for his "Secret Santa" gift exchange?

That was over a decade ago, but his siblings have never let him live it down (especially the recipient of that shoebox full of Twinkies -- or whatever it was he finally settled on).

Just in case you're still searching for a few last-minute stocking stuffers or neighborly niceties, this week's link list (and podcast!) is all about gift-giving. Just remember: It's the thought that counts! 🤔

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Friendship Soup Mix - layer these dry ingredients in a jar to share with friends and neighbors
• ​Candy Cane Gospel - tie one of these tags on a candy cane for a sweet stocking stuffer
• ​Snickerdoodle Recipe - a quick and easy cookie recipe good enough to share
• ​Every Good Gift Coloring Page - a reminder that all the best gifts come from God
• ​Holiday Thank You Notes - use these cards to acknowledge with gratitude the gifts you receive

What I'm reading this week:

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​The Little Liar by Mitch Albom This book was voted onto our family reading list this year. One of my adult daughters suggested it, but I knew nothing about the story before listening to the audiobook with my husband last week. We both found it powerfully moving. Albom tells the poignant story of a Jewish family from Greece, split apart by the Nazis, and the lengths to which each family member goes to protect one another and survive the Holocaust -- some, successfully; others, not.

This week's reader request:

I posted a couple more Christmas games this week for the readers who've been asking for new ones: a Christmas Crossword plus a fun (and educational!) Poinsettia Trivia Test. Enjoy!

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 105 ​THE REASON FOR THIS SEASON​ I love all the bright lights and decorated trees and beautiful packages and cheerful songs that so characterize Christmas in so many people’s minds, but if we miss the real reason behind all those things, we’ll miss the whole purpose and most important part of the season. ​ Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I finished exactly half of the items listed on last week's to-do list. I ✅ enjoyed our last few days in San Antonio, ✅ celebrated our youngest son's 18th birthday, ✅ posted our 2025 Christmas update on the blog, and ✅ recorded a new podcast episode (linked above).

However, I did NOT ​❌ print my new day planner, ❌ put up any new freezer meals, ❌ share any vacation photos on Instagram, or ❌ do any film editing ​for my grandson's upcoming family film festival (which got indefinitely postponed and forgotten when all our kids and grandkids were sick with the flu).

Personal goals for this week:

• attend Christmas Eve service(s) tonight
• fill 33 Christmas stockings
• celebrate Christmas with family (a day late, since my husband is on 24-hour call tomorrow)
• print 2026 day planner
• lay up half a dozen new freezer meals
• write a new Timberdoodle review
• organize costume boxes in our garage
• clear off my desk
• reduce emails in inbox by 50%
• record another podcast

If you enjoy this newsletter and would like to support my work, there are five ways for you to do that:

1. Say a quick prayer for me & my family 🙏
2. Invite a friend to ​​subscribe to this newsletter​​ 📭
3. Follow me on ​​Instagram​​ 📸
4. Buy one of ​my books​​ 📚
5. Hit reply and say hello 👋

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Thanks so much for all your help! I'll be back next week with more links, reviews, and resources. If you have any special requests, please let me know. 😊