The Bible tells us that Grandmas and older women are important. Check out this instruction to older women:
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. – Titus 2:3-8, ESV
Young women and younger men learn to be self-controlled, kind, respecters of the Word of God, models of good works, integrity, dignity, and sound speech from older women in the biblical model. They learn how to follow the Lord–what that looks like, and how to love others.
Grandmas are important.
Timothy, who was an upstanding young man who loved Jesus and served him as a pastor in the first century Church, was the son of a pagan Greek man. He learned of Jesus through his grandmother and mother’s teachings.
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. – 2 Timothy 1:5, ESV
Godly grandmas are important. We can strengthen and encourage the relationships our kids have with their Grandmas, and Christmas is the perfect time to do that.
Christmas Gifts for Grandma that Build Relationships
Gift giving can be weird, can’t it? I mean, how do we know that our gift will be appreciated? How can we show that we put thought and care into the gifts we give?
When I was growing up, Christmas was spent baking with my Swedish grandmother, listening to stories she told about her family, learning how she saw life, and building an understanding of what a working kitchen looked like. I actually don’t remember my grandma outside of the kitchen. She was always there, and when she was cooking, she was always sharing.
As a grandma now myself, I want to spend quality time with my grandgirl (and hopefully, someday, plural grandchildren). I want to develop relationships with her (someday them) that will allow me to share my faith, my thoughts, and my love.
As a mom, I want my kids-at-home to have strong relationships with their grandparents, and I know the kitchen is a great place to develop those relationships.
Grandma and Kids’ Kitchen Recipes and Devotions
In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together
I first met Lydia Harris at a writer’s conference (Oregon Christian Writers) a number of years ago. At the time, I was thrilled. She and I were actively writing for the same magazine and my littles loved her creative recipes and devotions that were included in many of the issues. They would joyfully pour over the recipes, gather the ingredients, and ask me to help them make fruit caterpillars.
That’s how I knew you’d love her new book, In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring up Tasty Memories Together (Harvest House Publishers, 2019). Our family has loved her work ourselves, and this recipe book for Grandma is the perfect Christmas book.
Stuffed with recipes that are easy for kids to make and delicious for the whole family, In the Kitchen with Grandma is a great way to encourage special memory-building times between Grandma and grandkids.
The recipes are divided into seasons:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Year-Round
- Holidays (We all know special days are their own season, right?)
Each section has five sub-sections:
- Main Dishes
- Salads and Sides
- Snacks
- Bread
- Desserts and Sweets
You’ll find fun and nutritious recipes (many gluten-free) like:
- Butterfly Waffles
- Chilled Strawberry Soup
- Mac and Cheese Cups
- Cornbread Pilgrim Hats
- Tasty Toboggans
- Frosted Nativity Cookies
Each recipe has a brief description, a difficulty rating from one to three spoons (usually with a prep time of 10 to 40 minutes), a Gather with Grandma ingredient list, and a Make with Grandma recipe. The margins have a place for notes, and many of the recipes have a brief devotion section called A Spoonful of Sharing that includes discussion questions and often a verse to reflect on.
Lydia E. Harris has put together a really fun, well-organized, nutritious recipe book for Grandma to use with her grandkids. It’s the perfect Christmas gift for a grandma who loves Jesus, loves her grandchildren, and loves cooking and baking.
Want to add to the Christmas fun? Check out the ideas below that will turn this fabulous family recipe book into a Christmas gift that will spoil Grandma and excite your kids!
Kids in the Kitchen with Grandma
Now, you could just give Grandma In the Kitchen with Grandma, and that would be a wonderful gift.
However, if you want to add to the fun, putting together a fun Christmas gift for Grandma that will help her get your kids in the kitchen isn’t hard. There are some great products available that both Grandma and your children will love. I’ve put together a few Christmas gift ideas for Grandma that are budget conscious and fun. You can throw in other items, take some out, or customize your Christmas gifts for Grandma to suit her tastes.
Be sure to involve your kids in the packing of Grandma’s Christmas gift. They’ll love being an integral part of the gift you’re giving her so that she can spend more time with them!
The Warm Home Linen Storage Basket
It’s always fun to receive a basket full of goodies, and this linen storage basket will serve double duty as it helps Grandma store her kids’ baking and cooking supplies.
Animal Parent and Child Aprons (Several cute styles!)WeeSprout Little Chef Kids Cooking & Baking SetKitchenAid Onion Quilt KT OM PH Kitchen Towel, Oven Mitt & Potholder Set, Pistachio
It’s so fun to have an apron to match Grandma! These adorable aprons (available in several cute styles) allow Grandma to and grandkids to match. The WeeSprout Cooking and Baking set is the perfect size for little hands, and classy enough to leave at Grandma’s, with a handy carrying basket. Of course, Grandma will need a new pair of oven mitts, too, like these great KitchenAid mitts.
The Gift Wrap Company Recipe Box and CardsPILOT G2 Gel Pens Assorted Colors
Grandma and your kids can make their own recipe cards with this cute recipe card box set. Not only will they be building memories and relationship as they cook together, they’ll be creating a family legacy through the recipes they keep. I added the pens because everything is better written in color, and these are my favorite colored pens. What Grandma doesn’t love cool pens?
Reusable Silicone Baking Cups, Pack of 12Wilton Cookie Cutters Set, 101-PiecesCurious Chef Children’s 3-Piece Nylon Knife Set
Round out your basket with fun accessories, as space and budget allow. Your kids will look forward to being in the kitchen with Grandma with fun silicone cupcake cups, cookie cutters galore, and child-safe knives.
I know I keep a basket of fun sprinkles in different shapes and dipping chocolate cups, as well as baking and decorating supplies. Just swing through your local baking supply store and see what you can find!
Well, there you have it: Christmas gifts for Grandma that will get your kids in the kitchen. It’s those moments that seem the most mundane that build relationship and create teachable times. Your mom will love this thoughtful idea, and your kids will have a blast putting it together and anticipating using their new supplies!
Your kids can learn about the Bible, who God is and more with this fun daily devotional for kids. With 12-months of Bible verses calendar printable sheets, your family will concentrate on a monthly focus. There are six days of reading each week, each day with it’s own focus within the monthly theme.
Your 12-month Bible verse calendar has themed devotions focusing on:
- The Bible
- Love
- The Church
- Resurrection
- Jesus
- Prayer
- The Holy Spirit
- The Fruit of the Spirit
- Salvation
- Our Father
- Thanksgiving
- Advent
Want a sample calendar? Grab your free Christmas Advent calendar here.
Books Make Great Gifts!
Teach the kids about the Bible and Christian history…
…with fun books they’ll love reading!
Introduce your children to engaging stories written in an engaging narrative they’ll want to read. As they learn more about God’s Word and gain real-life heroes, they will learn to apply Scripture to their own lives. And, give yourself the gift of a book that will help your kids learn and love the Bible.
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