Christmas Ideas from Episode 3

Fun and Meaningful Christmas Ideas to Celebrate with Your Family

The Christmas season is a time to reflect on traditions, create lasting memories, and celebrate the birth of Jesus with loved ones. Whether you’re looking for ways to teach your children or grandchildren the true meaning of Christmas or simply want to add some extra fun to your family celebrations, these ideas will help make your holiday season even more special.

A Couple things to keep in Mind:

• As you observe traditions with children, don’t be surprised if things don’t go as planned or not everyone is on topic. Instead let the foibles and off beat comments become a part of the memories as you look back over the years of observing Advent & Christmas together.

• Consider these reflective questions to learn about your grandkids and family members to prepare for your observance:

  • “It wouldn’t feel like Christmas if we didn’t…”

  • “What are you hoping for Christmas that can’t be wrapped?”

1. Share Family Birth Stories

In honor of the birth of Jesus which is an amazing birth story - share the stories of your children’s births or your own. Recalling the excitement, joy, and even the challenges of those special days can be a meaningful way to bond with family.

2. Celebrate Advent by Wrapping the Nativity Pieces

Advent is a time of preparation, waiting, and anticipation leading up to Christmas. Instead of just reading through an Advent calendar or devotional, make your own hands-on Advent celebration. Wrap each piece of your nativity set in wrapping paper. Each day, have a family member unwrap one piece and tell a part of the nativity story. By Christmas Eve, you’ll have the full nativity scene, and everyone will be immersed in the story of Jesus’ birth.

3. Play Christmas Story Charades

What better way to get the whole family involved than with a game of charades? Write down different scenes from the Christmas story (the angel visiting Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, the shepherds in the field, the wise men bringing gifts, etc.) on slips of paper. Take turns acting them out while the rest of the family guesses. One round have the adults act out and children guess and then reverse it for the next round. 

4. Carol with Your Family

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and make a plan to go out and carol.  Choosing those who might be home bound or are just some of your favorite people makes it even more special.  Pack some cocoa, dress warm and brush up on a few traditional tunes.  It might feel like a chore at the start but we dare you not to be smiling when you’ve finished.

5. Have a Birthday Party for Jesus

Grab cake mix and make your own cake or get some store bought cupcakes.  Include some birthday candles and a reading from Luke 2 and  maybe even a few traditional birthday games.  It is a fun way to reinforce the true meaning of the holiday.

6. Host a Grinch Day

Host a Grinch-themed day filled with fun, laughter, and some lighthearted mischief. Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the animated classic or the Jim Carrey version), have everyone dress up as their favorite Grinch character, and serve Grinch-inspired snacks like green “Cindy Lou” pudding.

Shrinky Dinks are plastic sheets that shrink when baked, and they can be drawn on and cut into any shape you like. Create some hearts and have them shrink in the oven (like the Grinch’s heart) Try this great question, “What would make someone’s heart grow?”

Shrinky Dinks are plastic sheets that shrink when baked, and they can be drawn on and cut into any shape you like. Create some hearts and have them shrink in the oven (like the Grinch’s heart) Try this great question, “What would make someone’s heart grow?”

6. Read a Christmas Book Together

Along with all the wonderful Christmas themed movies, reading a book together can make a great addition to your time together at Christmas. Here are a few of our favorites:

Please Share Your Holiday Ideas & Stories!!

What traditions or holiday ideas do you share as a family? Any funny holiday grandchildren stories to tell? Please share!! Use this link (there is no cost) - just use the recording link to give us your brief story!!