Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool, also blogs about motherhood at Steady Mom

Gift-giving this time of year can feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to. We want to fill our homes in the same way we fill our lives: with what matters to us, with what’s really important.

For homeschooling families, this means that we want the presents we give–to our kids and others–to contribute to an atmosphere of learning.

With this goal in mind, I wanted to highlight the sponsors who have been a part of Simple Homeschool this year. Many of them are offering substantial discounts for you this holiday season, too. Enjoy!
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See more of our Thanksgiving snapshots

The winner of yesterday’s Sparkle Stories giveaway is Bernadette – congratulations!

Special offer: You can download the lovely Martin & Sylvia Christmas audio book for just $3! Head here for more details.

• Using Netflix to teach history :: From contributor Jena of Yarns of the Heart
  
• Simplify the holidays :: New American Dream
• To the weary family on food steps, you deserve to eat well too :: My Humble Kitchen
• 3 queens :: Vimeo (A beautiful tribute to moms)
• 5 gifts no child should be without :: Steady Mom

A special welcome and thank you to the sponsors here on
Simple Homeschool for the month of December!
Take a few moments to check out all the cool stuff
they have to offer this holiday season:

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• Paper Gains: A guide to gifting children great books :: From contributor Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy
  
• The ultimate Thanksgiving Day printable pack :: The Better Mom
• Taking away my daughter’s smile :: Huffington Post
• NY principals speak out against state testing :: Education Week
• An open letter to the mothers of preschoolers :: We Are THAT Family

The winner of this weekend’s Home Art Studio giveaway is Heidi Kaldenberg – congrats!

Remember Home Art Studio is offering discounts to Simple Homeschool readers–just use the code “HSC2013A” at checkout to receive:

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual…O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it, for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

• Middle school reading list :: From contributor Kris Bales of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
  
• Welcome to Dinovember :: Medium (so fun!)
• “What about their careers?” the fathers asked :: A Thomas Jefferson Education
• Hestia Rising :: Sorta Crunchy
• They just don’t do that anymore :: My post on Steady Mom this week

A favorite quote from my reading this week:

“Befriend narrow limits. Let them be a reminder to you that your work and your art are impossible without divine resources. You can do nothing on your own anyway.

Be relieved to show up with all of your love as well as your insecurity, your skill as well as your fear. Show up in the world and be who you already are.”
~ Emily Freeman, A Million Little Ways, Uncovering the Art You Were Made to Live

• How to stay sane when your schedule gets manic :: From contributor Rachel Wolf of Lusa Organics skin care and Clean
  
• Invisible bike helmet from Sweden :: Traveling Greener (inspiring!)
• Are you suffering from Tired-Think? A quiz. :: Conversion Diary
• “I don’t want to disappoint you” :: Brave Writer (so good for a perspective switch!)
• Pope Francis’ embrace of a severely disfigured man touches world :: CNN

The winner of yesterday’s giveaway from Artterro is Stephanie H. – congratulations!

Remember, Artterro is offering all readers 20% off orders through December 15th! Just use the code “SHS20″ at checkout.

“…a good book can teach you about the world and about yourself. You learn more than how to read better; you also learn more about life. You become wiser…in the sense that you are more deeply aware of the great and enduring truths of human life.”
~ Mortimer J. Adler, How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading