For this time just before Christmas, we got the opportunity to review a fun family activity. This is the Family Honor Plate. The plate comes in solid white with the words on it that you see above. It includes paint and a palette so that your family can decorate it all together. You then bake it, following the directions, to make the paint permanent. After the design has set, the plate can be used and washed like normal dinnerware.
The idea included with the plate is for parents to talk about and model the virtues that are written on the plate, and then to encourage the children to emulate the virtues. The virtues listed are actually the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The parents should then watch the children and choose a child who is acting out these virtues to be rewarded by getting to eat a meal on the Family Honor Plate. A different child can use the plate each night at dinner.
Sometimes, it just works out to use things we are sent for review in a different way that works better for us. I can see this plate becoming a source of contention among my children, and I didn't really want to make the fruits of the Spirit into a competition. I decided to use the plate for decoration or to serve something for everyone from the middle of the table.
I love having family crafts that make something that is truly quality and also useful. This was an excellent family craft that I can see us using for years. I also think that having this reminder on the table is a great way to spark conversation about such virtues. Gathering around the table as a family for dinner is a wonderful time to talk each night about things that are important in our family.
That brings us to the second item we received for review, the Table Thyme Discussion Cards.
This is a great activity for just our own family or for when we have friends over. Questions are asked like, would you rather receive $500 cash or a dream vacation getaway? Every question is followed up with the question "why" to spark more conversation and to get kids to think about their answers. I love activities like this for getting everyone to talk and discuss their thoughts and ideas. The kids love to be the ones asking the questions, too!
If you are looking for some ideas for Christmas presents that veer away from the traditional cheap toys that fill up your house and that encourage family together time, these two items are a great option!
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Merry Christmas!