Free Christmas Clipart and GIFs

I just wanted to share a cool website with free holiday clipart. There's a lot of secular Christmas clipart and .gif images (moving ones). And some religious Advent themed clipart. Not as much as I'd like, but I think there may be some I haven't found. Anyway, hope it helps for your Christmas card-making or decorating. Free Christmas Clipart and GIFs - News - Bubblews

Free Printable Pilgrim Crafts for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in the US celebrates the survival of the pilgrims who came on the Mayflower. We wrongly refer them as pilgrims. A pilgrim is a religious adherent who journeys (makes a pilgrimage) to particular shrine or holy place. San Juan Compostela in Spain, Glastonbury Abbey were two common medieval pilgrimage sites for Catholics. Muslims make pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina. A Jew might travel to Jerusalem.

The American "pilgrims" were actually Puritans who came to the New World seeking religious freedom. We remember the difficulties they faced and the help they received from local native American Indians. We celebrate their survival at Thanksgiving. Here are free printable pilgrim crafts.  Free Printable Pilgrim Crafts for Thanksgiving

Free Printable Advent Calendar Activities

Advent is a penitential season that starts four weeks before Christmas in Catholic and Orthodox-christian churches. As in lent (before Easter) we pray, fast and give alms to prepare our hearts for the "coming" (advent) of Christ (from the Latin "adveniat regnum"--coming of Christ's kingdom.) The first Sunday of Advent in 2013 is December 1. Here are printable advent calendars for families. Photo is free advent calendar from The Toymaker. Great site. Free Printable Advent Calendar Crafts for Kids

Free Printable Advent Calendars, Religious and Secular

Advent is a penitential season that starts four weeks before Christmas in Catholic and Orthodox-christian churches. As in lent (before Easter) we pray, fast and give alms to prepare our hearts for the "coming" (advent) of Christ (from the Latin "adveniat regnum"--coming of Christ's kingdom.) The first Sunday of Advent in 2013 is December 1. Here are free printable advent calendars (secular and religious)  Free Printable Advent Calendar Crafts for Kids

Free Day of the Dead Crafts, Activities to Print

I'm seeing a lot of advertising Day of the Dead schmaltz--beer, food, parties etc. But El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in Latino culture, commemorates the lives of beloved dead. It's not a gimmick.Day of the Dead coincides with All Saints Day and All Souls Day, November 1 and 2, in the Catholic Church.

For many of us, these holy days mark the countdown to our advent preparations. I started planning advent lessons, as a homeschool mom, after All Saints. So back to dia de los muertos. Need free printable activities for this holiday? You've come to the right place.

Traditionally commemorative altars are brought to the cemetery so that the family may visit with the dearly departed. The human skull is an integral symbol. Candies are made in the shape of skulls and people may paint their faces to represent a skull. Some of the United States Halloween traditions stem from the Day of the Dead celebrations. The Day of the Dead is a religious holiday, connecting Catholic All Saints, All Souls Day and old Aztec, Mixtec, Olmec and Toltec pre-Columbian traditions. Read on for ways to celebrate Free Printable "Day of the Dead" Crafts, Lessons and Activities

Free Printable Christmas Bible Story Coloring Pages for Advent

Psst--I've got a secret! Jesus is coming soon! Dec. 2, 2012 began the Catholic church new year and Advent. Yes, I know, Jesus was born some 2K years ago. But we Catholics and Orthodox Christians (and many other protestant Christian denominations) relive that most blessed event annually. We commemorate the birthday with a special season called Advent (that means "beginning" or "coming."). We believe that we need to open our hearts to Jesus and let him be born again there. We celebrate with generosity and good deeds. We practice virtues of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We look for Jesus in everyone we meet. We live out Our Lord's command to "love one another as I have love you." To help kids get closer to Jesus and his Holy Family, here are free Christian Christmas printables. Use these to count down to the feast of Christmas. Let kids follow the penitential season advent and the Octave of Christmas and epiphany by coloring one page each night. 

Free Printable Advent Calendar Craft Activities

Free Printable Advent Countdown Calendar Craft Activities Looking for a cute Advent countdown to Christmas calendar? Here is a complete free printable advent countdown calendar activity featuring teddy bears labeled from 1-25. This Christmas countdown craft can be adapted in many ways for religious and secular advent calendars. read on

Free Printable Advent Games, Crafts, Lessons, Activities

Free Printable Advent Games, Crafts and Activities Advent 2012 will began Sunday, December 2. For four weeks, catholic, Orthodox and Coptic Christians (and some protestant churches) follow this lesser penitential season. We prepare our hearts for the coming (Advent) of Jesus. Here are free printable Advent coloring, puzzles, crafts, calendars, wreaths and activities to celebrate the season. free printable advent games

Advent and Hanukkah Lesson Plans for Interfaith Families

Hanukkah FAQs: History, Celebration and Symbols historical description of Hanukkah, the festival of lights, its symbols, ways of celebrating. Hanukkah generally falls during the Christian season of advent. Interfaith families might use these activities to explore Jewish festivals. Hanukkah activities

Free Printable Advent Paper Chain Craft

Easy craft for all ages to help eager children anticipate the Christmas holiday. Use recycled materials. Teach math, writing, cutting skills lesson plans. Activities include alms giving and service project connections, too. Here's a free printable paper chain Christmas countdown craft.Click for free printable Advent paper chain crafts