Advent is a season of pausing, pondering, and preparing for celebrating the arrival of the Christ Child. It is a time of wonder and expectation. The eyes of a small child, enamored and mesmerized by lights and shining packages, quickly remind us of this fact.
Amidst all the tantalizing smells, sights, and sounds, let us be deliberate in pointing our grandchildren to Emmanuel – God with us. May these practical ideas be a jumpstart for you.
1. Share the Story
There are so many ways to accomplish this. A quick perusal of Pinterest will supply more ideas than you can use. Two of my favorites are the Jesse Tree and story stones. Using visuals and symbols is especially important when your grandchildren are young. Scripture is read as each visual is focused on.
Our grandkids love flannelgraph. This year, Legacy Coalition is offering the Christmas Flannelgraph Set from Design Visuals as one of our affiliate products. Check it out at this link and get 10% off by using the code “LEGACY” at checkout.
An Advent wreath is also a great way to incorporate symbols and scripture readings. The four purple candles represent the prophets, Bethlehem, the shepherds, and the angels. They correspond to hope, faith, joy, and peace. The white candle lit on Christmas morning is the Christ candle. He is the light of the world. There are various readings to do with each candle. Pick one that is appropriate for the age of your grandchildren. We also add the appropriate nativity pieces as each portion is read. For instance, when angels are spoken of, we add the angels to the Advent wreath.
No matter what you choose to share the story, be sure to use your Bible. Maybe you are thinking about purchasing a Bible for your grandkids. Here are a few of our favorites:
Maybe the grandchildren are ready for deeper conversations. Engage grandkids with illustrated stories of faith and adventure using the Power Bible Set. This affiliate product can be purchased using this link, and you automatically get a 14% discount and a free study guide.
2. Worship
Christmas music is so beautiful and sets the stage for a worshipful heart. We have it playing in the background throughout every day. Consider choosing a song to learn about its history as well as its lyrics. Share what you learn with your grandchildren. Maybe choose a song from your ethnic heritage. If you have musicians within your family, play and sing it together. Maybe you could even write your own song.
Looking for good music for preschoolers? Check out Miss Pattycake. Her resources are faith-based, music-driven, and designed to introduce young children to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible.
3. Family Activity
Another goal is to spend time together, creating memories and building stronger relationships. One of our favorites is building a puzzle – each year we choose a more complicated puzzle in line with the grandchildren’s ages. Consider using our Let’s Talk Cards as conversation starters while you put the puzzle together. Our Let’s Talk: Holiday Edition has great questions for Christmas, New Year’s, and many other holidays.
We also enjoy watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate. Additionally, we seek to find a way to serve the community together. Whether it is purchasing items for an at-need family or delivering cookies to first responders, we want to show love in a tangible way.
We also love to play games. Some of our favorites are Christmas Scattergories, Pictionary, charades, and minute-it-to-win-it games. During these fun and laughter-filled times, we intentionally point to how God was faithful through the past year. God has provided and blessed in so many ways. We encourage all to share.
4. Shower for Baby Jesus
Consider contacting your area charities or crisis pregnancy centers to see what critical items are needed. It is a joy to gather items that a new baby would need and then deliver them to the center. Conversations with your grandchildren can center around Jesus coming as a baby.
5. Love Jar
Write on slips of paper the reason you love each member of the family. Try to be specific and include several for every member. Place the slips in a jar or candy dish on the table. At Christmas, take a slip out and read it. Continue for the upcoming meals until all the slips have been read.
The Blessings Plaque and Blessing Coasters are partner products that serve as a reminder of how much you are thankful for your family. Have them out all year and consider giving a set to family members as a daily reminder of how much you love them.
Another idea is to start in January, writing down all the ways God has blessed your family. Then next Christmas season, you could read some each day and rejoice anew at how God has been faithful.
6. Send Greetings
Be sure to send greetings to each family. Marco Polo, Zoom, or other apps are excellent ways to stay connected, especially to those who live at a distance. You could write a note or letter to each grandchild, letting them know how you will be praying for them in the next year. I think about what character trait I have noticed needs some extra effort, and what spiritual gifts seem to be surfacing. I then construct my prayer around those things, always listening to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
7. Treasure Hunt
Treasure hunts are especially fun for the younger grandchildren. You could write Luke 2 on slips of paper, breaking it up into portions. These slips of paper can be hidden around for them to find. When they are found, encourage them to put them in order. Then read the passage from the Bible.
If the grandchildren are very young, hiding items that are found in the Luke account is a good option. Once all the hidden items are found, read the Luke account from a children’s bible.
Manger in Danger is another one of our affiliate products that will keep the grandkids focused on why Jesus came. It does this through fun, engaging daily activities leading up to Christmas morning. Â Find out more at this link, and you automatically get a 15% discount and a free Gospel of John.
8. Honor Your Heritage
Share about the customs and food from where your ancestors came. There are places online as well as books about how Christmas is celebrated in other countries. It has been so fun to learn how Christmas is celebrated across the world. You may even want to learn how to say Merry Christmas in your family’s native language. Teach your grandchildren about where they came from; it bridges the past with the present while also giving a sense of security, safety, and belonging. Making recipes from your ‘home’ country is also so fun. Be sure to tell your family stories, making connections to how your grandparents celebrated Christmas.
Interested in additional ways to transfer your family values during gatherings? Check out the book A Legacy That Lasts, written by Trudy Cathy White
9. Dinner by Starlight (Candles)
Eating dinner by candlelight is a special way to set apart this season. Candles set a tone of contemplation and quiet.
For younger grandchildren, you could make a meal with the food items cut into star shapes. The conversation could center around what parts stars played in the Christmas story. One example is the shepherds keeping watch over the sheep at night. Another is the wise men following the star.
Consider ending this special time by reading the book My Wish of All Wishes. God sent the best gift ever, Jesus. This is also the gift you want your grandchildren to receive. This book from Larry Fowler is a tool that Christian grandparents can use to express their greatest hope – that their grandchildren will be in heaven with them!
10. Attend an Event
Show your support and love by going to any event that you can. Most schools and churches have events during this time of the year. Cheer them on.
11. Read a favorite Christmas book
Share with your grandchildren some of your favorite Christmas books. The Gift of the Magi is one of my favorites. One of our traditions is to read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve just before the grandchildren go to bed. Ask the grandchildren what their favorite one is and read it to them during this season.
Books are always a great gift. Here are a few of our favorites:
12. Gift Making
One of our favorite activities is helping the grandchildren make gifts for their parents and siblings. They come individually to us with their ideas. Depending on the idea, we help them make their gift. It is a double blessing as we get to spend concentrated time with them while also teaching them a skill.
In past years, their grandad has done woodworking, painting, and building with them. I have done crafts, photography, and cooking.
Additional Gift Ideas for Grandkids:
- Yearly magazine subscription to grow the grandkids’ faith – Clubhouse Jr. and Clubhouse Mag
- Grandparent Camp Programs – Unique faith adventures for grandparents and their grandchildren focused on leaving a faith legacy for the next generations. Check out Christian Grandparenting Network GrandCamps and Twin Lakes Bible Camp.
- Camp Scholarships – Check out the camp that the grandchild would like to attend or has attended in the past and help cover the costs.
- Gifts around a talent or skill – If your grandchild enjoys music, you could cover the cost of music lessons. If they enjoy sports, you could cover the cost of a league or sports camp.
- Missions Trip Fund – You can help start a savings account for them to go on the trip!
- Adventure/Experience – Find out the cost of something your grandchild would like to do and create a gift certificate with the details to give them.
- Personal Journal – You can purchase a journal with a specific grandchild in mind. Then encourage them to develop the habit of writing down what they are grateful for each day along with what God is teaching them, prayers, or praises.
- Bible Study Book – You can purchase one for the grandchild and one for you to do together, in person, or virtually.
Gift Ideas for Grandparents:
Consider sharing this list with your family and friends if they ask you what you want for Christmas.
- Prayers for My Grandchildren Desk Pad – A great reminder to pray for your grandchildren, no matter how far away they are. Â
- Ticket to National Grandparenting Summit 2026 – It is the 10th Year Celebration, and the theme is A Heart for Eternity. Get all the details.
- Airline ticket to visit long-distance grandchildren
- Grandparent Camp Program – Unique faith adventures for grandparents and their grandchildren focused on leaving a faith legacy for the next generations.
- Legacy Coalition Book series – We have books on a wide range of topics for grandparents!
Conclusion
This year, may you focus more on giving your presence and less on presents. May you purpose in your heart to find ways to be more present in your grandchildren’s lives this next year. Be creative if your grandchildren live at a distance, or if other barriers or obstacles make it difficult.
Remember, even if you cannot talk to your grandchildren, you can always talk to God about your grandchildren. Go to Him, rest in His presence, relish His promises, and rely on His faithfulness!
Let’s remember Deuteronomy 4:9, “…Make them known to your children and your children’s children”, and Psalm 16:6, “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
Do not forget during this busy season to stop, rest, and share your God story with the grandchildren. Help them come to believe, adore, and celebrate the Christ Child.
