Not all Christmases look the same year to year and family to family. So, whether you’re looking for a quiet moment alone, lively festivities with family and friends, or anything in between, here are a few traditions that you might like to start with your family.
New from David Butler and Emily Belle Freeman
The Immanuel Wreath is meant to be used in anticipation of Christmas and Easter. The 12-inch wooden wreath has 25 candle slots that can be used in two different ways: either fill all the slots with candles and light a new one each day, or move a single candle around the circle to a new slot each day. Each candle slot has been marked with a name of the Savior, a daily reminder to invite Him into your celebration.
Listen to David and Emily explain how the wreath came to be and why they're excited to use it this year in the video below.
Download a list of the 25 names of Christ and their associated scripture references below:
We encourage you to preorder the Immanuel Wreath at deseretbook.com to be the first in line as new shipments come in. Due to global shipping delays, Deseret Book cannot guarantee that the Immanuel Wreath will arrive in time for December 1st.
This Christmas, start a sweet and simple tradition with these new socks available exclusively at Deseret Book. These cozy socks are an easy way to bring your whole family together no matter how and where you are celebrating this Christmas season.
Join the tradition people have participated in for more than a decade by collecting and sharing your change with someone. The Christmas Jar tradition is based on the 2005 New York Times bestselling novel by Jason Wright.
A Christmas Jar is a pickle jar, peanut butter jar, Mason jar, or anything else you have to collect spare change in each day. All coins are dedicated to the jar, and the week before Christmas you carefully select someone to give it to anonymously.
Was a neighbor laid off? Is a coworker struggling with health problems? Has a friend lost a loved one? Simply put your jar on their porch, in their car, on their desk—wherever. With $50, $100, even $200, you’ll be surprised how much change you can generate and how much you can impact someone’s life.
The Little Lamb from Bethlehem tells the story of Jesus’s miraculous birth from the perspective of one of the lambs in the stable on that sacred night. The lamb loved baby Jesus, and as they both grew, the lamb promised to share Christ’s story with everyone.
The Little Lamb can teach your family about the Savior’s life and share ways to follow His example and serve others throughout the Christmas season. Make Christmas more meaningful as you use this little plush lamb to learn of the Savior, serve others, and celebrate the true spirit of the season with this new Christ-centered Christmas tradition.
For free printables to use with your family, including activities and advent calendars, visit littlelambfrombethlehem.com.
It’s no secret that David Butler and Emily Belle Freeman love Christmas. When Emily's daughter was young, she said “Mom, you believe in Jesus, and I believe in Santa.” Together, David and Emily have created traditions and products to help you and your family have a Christ-centered Christmas.
It started with a book by Emily that focuses on seven figures central to the birth of Christ and shares a tradition for each person.
Now there is a children’s edition of the book with delightful illustrations that were then used to create a 12-piece nativity set.
Note: The children’s edition of the book is currently sold out—order now to reserve your copy when they begin shipping again.
In 2019, LDS Living created a series of videos with David and Emily—one for each of the 7 figures that are a part of the Christ-Centered Christmas tradition. Watch the playlist here.
