Purpose of this Blog...

You may have noticed that not all books are equal in capturing children's imaginations and in cultivating those innocent, tender souls. My goal is to help you find the ones that do!
(Painting by Mary Cassatt: "Mrs Cassatt Reading to her Grandchildren" -1888)




Tuesday, November 24, 2015

A Giveaway for St. Nicholas Day!

As mentioned in my last post, to celebrate crossing 1,000 likes on my Good Books Facebook Page, I'm going to be hosting several giveaways throughout this holiday season.  

Here's the first one, a special "St. Nicholas Bundle" sponsored by EmiliasPost (the package will arrive at your house just in time for St. Nicholas Day!)...

The Saint Nicholas Bundle features:


  • 4 hand-illustrated postcards (featuring Saint Nicholas on the front and postcard design on back)
  • 1 bag of St. Nicholas chocolate gold coins (by Paidea Classics)
  • 1 handmade St. Nicholas cookie cutter with a cookie recipe
  • 1 “Life of St. Nicholas” card with instructions for celebrating his feast day

This is seriously the sweetest bundle of goodies from EmiliasPost, an Etsy shop that a young friend of mine recently started.  As a busy mom, she and a friend wanted to find some way they could help Syrian refugees - so they came up with the idea of selling the bundles on her Etsy page to benefit IOCC's Syrian Relief Fund

Traditionally, the chocolate gold coins are put in children's shoes that have been left out on the night of December 5th for St. Nicholas' visit.  But they make great stocking stuffers too!


I can't fail to mention this year's book recommendation for St. Nicholas Day on December 6th:  St. Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coins by Jim Forest, luminously illustrated by Vladislav Andreyev. 


...the popular perception of Saint Nicholas today diverges greatly from his original veneration as a compassionate almsgiver and defender of the poor. Saint Nicholas has been reduced to the pop culture fi gure of Santa Claus, a jolly old man who brings presents to good little boys and girls. Th is book reacquaints those boys and girls with the authentic Santa Claus—Nicholas, a man who found greatness not simply in spreading "good cheer," but in being a true icon of Jesus Christ in word and deed.

Just as St. Nicholas gave gold coins to help the poor, I hope you take time this Advent season to teach your children to consider those who are poor and needy.

Everybody does Black Friday shopping, how about some Advent Giving...
I know this is a busy time with Thanksgiving approaching and with December right around the corner!  But I hope you'll stop by EmiliasPost Etsy Shop and (in the spirit of St. Nicholas) consider purchasing a St. Nicholas Bundle to send to someone special this December.
The St. Nicholas Bundles are $20, which includes shipping; 100% of the proceeds goes to IOCC Syrian Relief. You can also donate directly through IOCC here.

But back to my Celebratory GIVEAWAY! 
Leave a comment for your chance to win this bundle of joy...

  • You have from today through Sunday, November 29, 2015 to post a comment here and/or on Facebook for a chance to win the St. Nicholas Bundle.
  • Comments closed at midnight.  
  • Winner announced on Monday, November 30, 2015. 

Please watch and come back to see if you're the winner, then email me your address so EmiliasPost can get the bundle mailed out to you in time for St. Nicholas Day!
UPDATE 11/30/15: Thanks to everyone who participated in this giveaway! Congratulations to my giveaway winner, Maria, who is one of my Good Books For Young Souls Facebook followers.

25 comments:

  1. This is so inspiring! And the bundle looks like a great set. How awesome--I know Peter and Edward would love these! :)

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    1. Aw - glad you saw this, Mary! Miss you daughter - good luck! :)

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  2. We would love to win this for the Feast of Saint Nicholas.

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  3. St Nicholas is so dear to my heart, thanks fir the book recommendation! my kids would really enjoy to win the giveaway package, happy thanksgiving! !

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  4. Our family loves celebrating St. Nicholas' feast day!

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  5. What a lovely gift basket! We are looking forward to his feast day. :)

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  6. What a great giveaway! Thanks for hosting this and may you and your family have a blessed Nativity season.

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  7. CONGRATS on the "Likes" - well earned - your blog is a GREAT blessing! Love you!

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  8. This looks great! Thank you for creating this blog.

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  9. A great giveaway for any age! I have a 6 and 7 year old and we are just starting our Orthodox journey. This would be a great addition to our advent! Thanks!

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  10. This is lovely! I'd love to make St. Nicholas cookies with my girls.

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  11. Beautiful! Would love to win😃

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  12. Thanks for your fun giveaways and posts! We love St. Nicholas day. :)

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  13. This is a beautiful and generous giveaway. Everything is lovely.
    Marilyn

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  14. What a lovely giveaway. Would cherish these prizes. Thank you for the chance to win.
    Marion

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  15. Would love to have this for St. Nicholas Day. The prizes are beautiful. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Joan

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  16. ooooh! How wonderful! Count me in! St. Nicholas is my very, very favorite saint :D I was wearing my St. Nicholas medal necklace when Robbie was born!~ Happy Thanksgiving!~!~!

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  17. Oh, this looks amazing. Thank you for the opportunity!

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  18. My sweet nephew Ollie would love this. He is 7 and reading like crazy. Great Auntie would love to read this with him! It is such a wonderful opportunity to teach and share the wonder.

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  19. I would love to gift this -- it's beautiful :-)

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  20. Thanks to everyone who participated in this giveaway! Congratulations to my giveaway winner, Maria, who is a Good Books For Young Souls Facebook follower!

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