Blessing Box

I saw a great idea in a magazine once that encourages family members to look for ways that they can be a blessing to one another. So many times, it is easy to pick on those we love the most by pointing out the areas where they need to grow. But if you start a blessing box in your home, you might find that it points out and strengthens your family to be generous, helpful, and loving… instead.



Just get a box and place it in a central location in your home. You can find a box that is fancy – such as a painted red metal one, or an elegantly painted one – or you can use a simple shoebox.


Whenever you see a small item that you know would cause another family member to smile – you put it in the box, and attach their name to it. Then, at a previously appointed time (maybe dinner time, or bedtime) – you present that item to them. You can also write down “Acts of blessings or kindnesses” down in the box and read them aloud at this special time. Soon you will find your children inserting their own thoughts and small items into the box to share with other family members. These items don’t have to be something new. Maybe the small item is something you made, or an item that you saw someone else admire. It could even be something you shared a joke about previously.

Sharing “smiles” and “blessings” is a wonderful habit to get into. It teaches everyone to look and listen to when someone else needs some encouragement and love. And you can all learn to expand the box to include special friends and neighbors, as well.

Making Mealtime Fun

Mealtime is one of those areas of life that can sometimes use some fresh ideas. Face it, we make the same food day in and day out. Our children are more than ready for us to add some zest and fun to the occasion. I think you will find that once you start adding some pizzazz to the family meals, you will like the changes and realize how much you needed that little something extra as well.



Here are some fun and fresh ideas for you to spruce up that boring “dinner” call.


*Have everyone in the family pick out a TV tray and eat in your Family Room while watching a favorite family movie together.


*Eat out on your deck or back porch for a change. Use either a picnic table or set up a card table and enjoy the fresh air.


*Have an indoor picnic. This is one of my daughter’s favorite things to do. Pull out a blanket, get out the paper plates and just add the food! You can make dinner or bring in sub sandwiches from a local sandwich shop.


*Let your children decorate placemats and get a tablecloth that they can color on.


*Switch places at the table for a change. Everyone needs to sit somewhere other than his or her normal seat.


*Get some chopsticks and use them for fun instead of silverware.


*Buy festive napkins, plastic goblets and fancy straws.


*Have backwards night. Eat your dessert first and your main course last.


*Make normal foods fun by adding food coloring or using cookie cutters to make shapes.


*Let your children make the meal!! Even a 3 year old can plop some peanut butter and jelly on bread. Promise to at least take a “thank-you” bite of each item on your plate.


*Serve food on fun dishes instead of your normal plates. Spaghetti can be eaten out of a popcorn or ice cream bowl; veggies can be placed in crystal candy dishes, etc.


*Turn out the lights and use candles. Adds such a relaxing atmosphere and will become a favorite incentive for calming down at the dinner table.

Love Shack

I wanted to do something special when we were built our home. I wanted to do something that would influence the way we saw our new home; the way we felt inside of its walls; and something that would create a lasting impression on us.



When our home was in the framing stage, I went out and I wrote scripture verses in the door frames of almost every room within our home. They were verses that pertained to each room. For instance in our master closet I wrote, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, gentleness, kindness..;” right above our front door I wrote, “As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.”


I chose a special verse for each one of my children’s rooms based on their special personalities and characteristics.


I know that when it came time to sheetrock and paint – those verses got covered. But the neat thing is that they did not get removed. They are still there – underneath our walls. Those words are everywhere within our home and that has set the tone for the atmosphere within our house.


If you are building a home, this is a fantastic thing to do together as a family. If your home is already built – you can still set a tone for inside your four walls by making a plaque, writing elegantly in paint or calligraphy on top of your paint, or even typing something out and framing it in a prominent spot.


What you surround yourself with really affects the mood of your home. So choose wisely.