Sure, I’d love to have my grandkids coming over to help bake cookies and decorate the tree — but that’s not going to happen this year. But no “Bah Humbug!” from me.
My husband and I have remarkably good Decembers even though our grandkids are across the country. One of the big reasons is we engage with our grandkids and make them a part of our Christmas prep time.
Here are ways we include them in Christmas fun the whole month through. Many of them are thanks to video chatting through FaceTime, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.
Decorate with them.
My younger grandkids watch on a video chat as we unpack some of our boxes of Christmas decorations. “Oh, look at the gingerbread-kids stuffies! Who remembers where they go?”
Let them see you hanging stockings and other colorful, easy decorations. It’s all about the experience — not getting things done. Decorating will take you at least five times as long — but be 25 times more fun!
Avoid the boring.
We avoid the boring aspects of holiday prep. Nobody wants to watch Grandpa hang up Christmas lights outdoors — not even Gram!
Read Christmas books to them.
Check out books from the library or start your own collection. For tips on how to read to little ones on a video chat, check out my blog post.
Trim the tree.
Our grandkids remember from year to year some of the ornaments we have. I put the ornaments on a tray and let them taking turns telling us which one should go on the tree next.
such as this one from one of their great-grandmothers.
We never get the entire tree done with them, of course! But we do it until they get tired.
Countdown to Christmas.
For about 7 years, we’ve used this fun tree from the well-known Melissa and Doug brand to count down to Christmas. On video chats, we get up-to-date with how close Christmas is by letting the kids take turns telling us which ornament goes on the tree next.
Baking cookies.
One of my girlfriends is a fabulous baker and has her grandkids watch her on a video chat as she bakes cookies. She always sends a tin of cookies in the mail to them. (I tell my friend I would like to watch her, too, so she’ll send a tin to me!)
Picking out wrapping paper.
Yes, we let our grandkids pick out which of our wrapping papers they want us to use to wrap their presents before we mail them. It’s a really big deal! They love looking the papers over to make their decision. We let them take as much time as they need.
makes them want to connect with us.
Christmas characters.
Our grandkids love our ever-growing collection of singing and dancing characters, and like to see them perform during video chats.
Connecting with pre-teen grandkids.
I make it a point to send some Christmas text (short!) to my pre-teen frequently (1-2 a week) during December. Some ideas for texting:
- I might share: as we were putting up the tree this year, we remembered how when she was three or four, she always wanted us to always show her the ballerina ornament. Every video chat!
- I take a picture of a present I just wrapped for her and will be mailing shortly.
- I send a funny Christmas cartoon.
- I send a photo of her at Christmas, a long time ago.
Always when texting the older kids, I try my best to refrain from asking questions. They would feel like they had to answer my question and, pretty soon, would dread seeing another text from Gram.
It’s fun to send the older child a small Christmas item way before Christmas, such as some fun Christmas socks or earrings, a Christmas candy, or a Christmas novelty item.
Make new traditions.
For your younger grandchild, introduce them to Christmas fun — and chances are they will remember it next Christmas.
- During a video chat, explain the tradition of mistletoe. Hang some mistletoe and tell them you want to steal a kiss from your spouse. Then have your spouse walk in the room after the mistletoe is up. Surprise kiss! The grands will laugh — and probably want you to have mistletoe every year.
- Tell your grandkids you’ll wait for a video chat session before you put the topper on the Christmas tree. Ask them to sing Jingle Bells as you do.
- Read The Night Before Christmas to them on Christmas Eve.
Mail your grands an early surprises.
And I don’t just mean presents for Christmas day! Throughout December, you can send little surprises like new ornaments for their tree, coloring books, stickers, window clings, etc. A hand-written letter or card is always a big hit.
delivered right to their house with a greeting from you.
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My new book Miles Away Grandparenting helps you through holidays and as you face other challenges we far-away grandparents have. Also, this book makes a special Christmas gift for other grandparents who are miles away, too. Click here to order a copy.