One of the coolest parts of Truth in the Tinsel is that it is so versatile. You can adapt it for any age and interest. Of course, I think doing it as is, is pretty fun and exciting but I love that people have come up with new cool ways to use it with their kids!
I’m going to share several free supplements and additions to Truth in the Tinsel made my actual Truth in the Tinsel alums. These are not alternatives to Truth in the Tinsel, you still need the ebook to do the devotions and have the conversations. These are simply fun additions or as I like to call them–Truth in the Tinsel hacks! Enjoy, the creativity:
1. Printable Mini Album from Pink Paper Peppermints
If you’re planning on doing our printable ornaments, Melissa has made the coolest printable for a mini-album to keep them in! You simply print, cut and staple the book together then glue your ornaments in as you go.
You can even attach a ribbon and make them into an ornament. How super adorable is that?! If I ever travel during the holidays again, I’m doing this with the kids!
2. Countdown Riddle Cards from Mama Jenn
Included in Truth in the Tinsel are fun printable clues to introduce the theme and ornament of the day. Mama Jenn has taken it a step further and has made little riddles for each day and once the kids guess the riddle, they run through the house looking for the hidden clue!
Isn’t that fun? And I love how she displays the clues like a Christmas tree!
3. Active Advent Exercises from Everyday Faith & Fitness
First of all, I have to tell you a little back story on this–a few weeks ago, a mom sent me a Facebook message and said asked if I had any “games, challenges or physical activities” to go along with each day as her son isn’t really into crafts. There is a fun obstacle course suggested for the Joseph day, but besides that, I’d never ever thought about something like that.
THE NEXT DAY, Dawn from Everyday Faith and Fitness emails me and says, “As I was thinking about the Truth in the Tinsel activities for this year, all of these exercise-related ideas started coming to me (God is so cool!). I’ve got the whole Advent season sketched out with exercises that correlate with each of the days from Truth in the Tinsel.”
Isn’t that amazing? Dawn has created some fun exercises to go with each day of Truth in the Tinsel and I think she’s going to be adding some videos through the month so you can see how to do them with kids. The kids and I are totally doing these!
4. Truth in the Tinsel Tracing Cards from All Our Days
This is another way to easily use our printable ornaments and keep them all in one spot. Cute, right?
I had to link to this post even if it is from my own blog! My friend Lindsey gives a TON of great ways to use Truth in the Tinsel with the littlest of kids.
Wanna add some yumminess to your celebration? Liz made up some fun food for each day!
Lots of people have made Lego ornaments in lieu of the ornaments prescribed in the ebook. My friend, Tina (Cogs of Encouragement) took pictures of all the Lego creations her kids made to spur your creativity!
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Are you inspired? I hope you’re inspired and not overwhelmed. The point of this post is not to make you do ALL THE THINGS this Christmas season. In fact, Truth in the Tinsel has the opposite goal–to help you slow down and focus on God’s Word and His wonderful gift of Jesus. These activities are how real mamas have done just that–whether it’s through music or Legos or exercise.
There’s no wrong way to do Truth in the Tinsel. Truth in the Tinsel works because you work. Truth in the Tinsel is a guide to help you lead your kids to Jesus. That’s all. I pray this Advent season will be one of fun memories and sweet times of communion with God.
If you still haven’t downloaded your copy of Truth in the Tinsel, do so now! Then you can create your own TNT hack! I’d love to hear about it!
This is exactly what I want to be doing with my two toddlers this year!!
But I’m a little devastated it looks like Paypal is the only payment option? We’ve had our identity stolen twice through that site, so my husband does NOT like using that “service.”
Is there ANY possible alternative? Thank you in advance for your response. 🙂
Can you email me amanda at ohamanda dot com!
I’ve been doing truth in the tinsel for some years now and I am soooo happy for this list and seeing how other moms have changed up the daily items to fit their famlies. Excited to use the ideas to create a fun way for my boys to learn about the amazing story of Christ’s birth – thank you for this post!
This will be out first year using Truth in the Tinsel. My kiddos are 6 and 12. They are both very excited! 🙂
I love TNT. My boys have their own miniature trees in their rooms. They decorate them with their ornaments they make. Thanks so much for putting this ebook together.