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Families With Grace

Helping Christian moms create homes filled with grace, love & faith

Fun Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your list 2024

55 Unique Christmas gift ideas for kids and adults that they’ll love — and your wallet will, too!

Fun Christmas gift ideas Pinterest image 10

Coming up with fun Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list can be a challenge. And coming up with the perfect gift for people in your life who have everything is even more challenging. 

But there are great gifts that are both fun and practical gifts for pretty much everyone on your list — and you don’t even have to break the bank.

And, even better, these are all on Amazon, so you can order them and have them show up at your house with the click of a button. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

Affiliate links are used in this post, if you make a qualifying purchase via my link, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. It helps support my blog, so thank you for your support! Read my full disclosure here.

For almost anyone

The whole world is obsessed with insulated tumblers with straws and a handle. And I’d guess at least one person on your Christmas gift list falls into this category.

The perfect present for these folks that’s also a lot of fun is straw toppers! Even my teenage daughter is in love with them.

One of the most fun and surprisingly inexpensive options at less than $5 is a set of four personalized straw toppers. Use your own photos and text to make this gift super fun and unique.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Personalized straw toppers

Some other fun options are this set of four emoji toppers and this set of six cowboy hat straw toppers.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Emoji straw toppers
Fun Christmas gift ideas: Cowboy hat straw toppers

Evidently this is called a pin art board. Who knew? 

No matter what you call it, they’re one of the best gifts for any age. They seriously work for your whole crew from the preschooler to the hard-to-shop-for old guy!

Pin art boards are great for a desk, bookshelf or wherever you want to have something to do with your hands while you’re thinking. (Or wherever you want to occasionally gently smush your face and look at your profile!)

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Pin art board

Unless your friends and family live somewhere magical that it never rains, they could use an umbrella. These reverse inverted inside-out umbrellas are awesome! 

I’ve been using one for a few years and love how easy it is to put up and down as I’m getting in and out of my car. It’s one of the best products I’ve found for keeping dry.

These come in two sizes 31 different colors and patterns. 

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Inverted umbrellas

Everybody has a slew of pencils and pens that need organized whether it’s at home or at work or both! You might as well organize them in something fun and clever. 

Even better, this top pick is an adorable elephant pen and pencil holder that can hold writing utensils and a phone! It’s a small gift with a sense of humor that’s also practical.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Elephant pencil and phone holder

If you think just a device holder would be a better fun Christmas gift idea for your friend, I’ve got you covered for that. I use mine all the time. 

In fact, I use it so much that it resides on my kitchen table. It is ideal for a Kindle. I love being able to prop up my Kindle Paperwhite and read during my lunch breaks. There are all sorts of great options!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Dinosaur device holder
Fun Christmas gift ideas: Dog device stand
Comes in four different dog breeds
Fun Christmas gift ideas: Thumbs Up Device Holder
Comes in a two-pack with multiple color options.
Fun Christmas gift ideas: Sweet love bunny device stand
Fun Christmas gift ideas: Pig device holder
Available in four different poses

While you’re at it, you might as well add a fun charging cable to go with the phone stand. This 46-inch USB charging cable that lights up like Christmas lights is one of the best Christmas gifts this holiday season.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Christmas light USB charging cable

And then there is this 14-in-1 hammer tool. It looks cute because it looks like a little hammer, but it’s also incredibly functional and would be something pretty much any gift recipient could use in one of their kitchen drawers.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: 14-in-1 hammer tool

Fun gift ideas for the person who loves retro


It pains me a bit to say that cassette tapes are retro, because they were such a big part of my childhood, but the truth is, they are. My kids were recently confounded by cassette tapes, in fact. 

This tape dispenser and pencil holder looks like a cassette tape and would be a fun, useful addition to any desktop — at home or at work. It definitely earns a place among gift guides of fun Christmas gift ideas!

This fun gift is available in gray, blue and pink.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Cassette tape tape dispenser

To go even more retro, check out these cute vinyl record drink coasters. I won’t even pretend that I also didn’t have a few records as a kid, because I certainly did. 

I’m a fan of fun coasters. If you’re going to use a coaster to be a responsible adult, you might as well have fun with it! The low price on this ideal gift also make it a great stocking stuffer!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Vinyl record coasters

This Hemingway typewriter pencil holder just makes my heart happy. I’m not really sure why because I was only on the very tail end of using typewriters way back in the day, and then they were electric.

But something about this just makes my old soul happy, and I’d bet you know someone who would agree!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Typewriter pencil holder

If you’re Christmas shopping for a bookworm this year, one of these old-school library check-out card themed items may be just the right gift. 

First up is a pair of socks that looks like well-used library check-out cards which many of us remember from childhood. (And this could also be a perfect gift for a white elephant exchange!)

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Library check-out card socks

Next is a zipper pouch with the same theme. It could certainly be a fun conversation starter for your entire family at your holiday gathering since younger generations have probably never seen these cards!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Library check-out card zipper pouch

This TV speaker phone holder is a great throwback option for your secret Santa or a gag gift for those who like old school things!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: TV speaker phone holder

Fun Christmas gift ideas for home cooks

I love having fun stuff in my kitchen, and I assume everyone else does, too! I found some unique and fun Christmas gift ideas that would be great Christmas presents for any home cook.

Fun in the kitchen kicks off with making food. If you’ve got to measure out ingredients, you might as well have some fun measuring cups. 

These OXO Good Grips Measuring Beaker Sets are great for that. You get a set of seven. I love things that are useful AND fun!

Unique Christmas gift ideas: Measuring beaker sets

Whether you’re buying a gift for a novice cook or someone who seldom cooks, everyone can use cooking utensils. They just seem to make any kitchen work a bit more fun and days brighter. 

This colorful set of human shaped kitchen gadgets is a great way to bring a smile to someone on your Christmas list who has kitchen duty. I have a soup ladle made like this, and my whole family gets a kick out of it every time I use it!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Human shaped kitchen utensils

If wooden spatulas are more your preference, check out this adorable set of wooden face spatulas.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Wooden face spatula set

And if that doesn’t get you smiling while you cook, add on this smiley face turner, which is perfect for making pancakes on a weekend morning.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Smiley face kitchen turner

The best option for home cooks who also love cats is this cat turner spatula. It’s cute enough to function as home decor and practical enough to flip pancakes!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Cat face kitchen turner

When it comes to unique and fun Christmas gift ideas, this clever Nessie Ladle that looks like the Lock Ness monster would bring some fun to soup night!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Nessie Soup Ladle

Staying with the theme of fun utensils, this dinosaur pasta server makes me smile. Anyone with kids would enjoy having this in their kitchen. Kids love pasta and dinos, so it’s a great combo.

My son would think this was fabulous if I used it to serve him dinner! As a bonus, it’s dishwasher, top-rack safe.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Dinosaur pasta server

To keep the kitchen dino fun going, you have to know someone who would love this TriceraTaco Taco Holder. While it is adorable and cracks me up, it’s also helpful and useful. Hard taco eaters would love it.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Triceratops taco holder

There’s also a TacoSaurus Rex and a NachoSaurus snack and dip bowl set.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Tacosaurus Rex taco holder
Fun Christmas gift ideas: Nachosaurus

This funny kitchen towel is a great option to go with the dino taco or nacho holders! It’s available in white or gray.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Funny taco kitchen towel "Every now and then I fall apart"

An incredibly clever Christmas gift idea for any Star Wars fans on your list (and I’m sure there’s at least one if not more!) are these light saber chopsticks that actually light up.

You can get two sets in red and blue or opt for 8-different color options for two sets. The 8-different color light saber chopsticks can also be bought as a single set or a set of four.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Light saber chopsticks

With all that fun going on in the kitchen, it’s going to have to be cleaned. While cleaning a kitchen isn’t the most fun job in the world, this adorable sponge holder makes me smile every time I see it.

It’s a great gift for pretty much anyone on your list who has a kitchen — and that’s everyone!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Bed sponge holder

Everyone can use a cutting board, and this pirate cutting board comes with a knife that looks like the pirate’s peg leg. If that’s not the best way to store a knife for this cutting board, then I don’t know what is!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Pirate cutting board

Finally in kitchen, check out this Gracula garlic crusher. It’s functional in that it crushes garlic, but it’s funny and quirky in that it looks like a vampire.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Dracula garlic crusher

Fun Christmas gifts for a family

Coming up with a gift to give to a family can be a challenge sometimes, so I’ve got some great ideas for family gifts all family members would love!

This indoor electric smores maker is one of my favorite things we have! I can make smores year-round. I don’t have to worry about an open flame. 

And it really does toast the marshmallows just like I want them. My kids get a kick out of it, too. It’s a great family gift! 

This smores maker is a fun Christmas gift idea that works well for families with small children, older children or no children. Who doesn’t love a smore?!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: electric smores maker

Another great option is family conversation starter cards. They’re perfect for chats at dinnertime or even long rides in the car.

Check out this set of 101 Conversation Starters for Families or 88 Conversation Starters for Husbands and Wives.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: 101 Conversation Starters for Families
Fun Christmas gift ideas: 88 Conversation Starters for Husbands and Wives

For the coffee or tea lover

I don’t drink coffee or tea, but I love a fun mug nonetheless. I mean, I do drink hot chocolate. And it tastes better when it’s something fun to drink it out of! 

Mugs make a great gift for nearly any adult — coffee lovers or not!. They even make good pencil holders! 

You can give mugs solo or pair them with a coffee shop gift card or fill them with candy. There are lots of good options. And there are even more fun options when it comes to finding the right mug.

Unique Christmas gift ideas: Harry Potter cauldron mug
Fun Christmas gift ideas: Smore coffee cup with lid
Fun Christmas gift ideas: llama coffee mug
Fun Christmas gift ideas: Jabba the Hut coffee and soup mug
Fun Christmas gift ideas: Fish mug with bobber infuser

(If you go with the fishing mug for the angler in your life, consider pairing it with this fishing memory picture frame for a fun — and meaningful — gift!)

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Fishing photo frame

For the kiddos

And, of course, we can’t forget fun Christmas gift ideas for kiddos. I purposefully trying to add small gifts for my kids they will actually play with or use versus just buying a bunch of cheap stuff that breaks quickly or is tossed aside. 

It was with that in mind that I looked for some interesting gifts kids would actually like.

The first one has to be this Little Live Pets Wraptile. I got this for my son for Christmas a couple of years ago. He absolutely loved it! 

One of his favorite features was he could talk into a microphone on it and it would repeat what he said (in its voice). He also liked that the eyes change color based on what mood the creature is in, which is pretty neat. 

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Little Live Pets Wraptile

For crafty children, a glow-in-the-dark rock painting set is a fun gift to add to your holiday shopping list. It takes crafts up a notch!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Glow in the dark rock painting kit

Another fun option for craft-loving children is the set of liquid pens. They’re part toy, part pen and all fun!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Liquid pens

For kiddos as young as 24 months, this dog grooming and doctor kit actually straps on like a backpack. It comes with an adorable white plush dog and a variety of accessories that any kiddo would enjoy playing with.

Unique Christmas gift ideas: Dog grooming and doctor kit

When I was a kid, I had something very similar to this rainbow silk streamer and loved it! I made up so many routines and dances and flung that thing all over the place. It would be a hit with kids a wide array of ages.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: rainbow silk streamer

Continuing the stroll down memory lane leads us to a Lite Brite. Remember those? It’s a great holiday gift idea for any kiddo.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Lite Brite

​And I’d be remiss to have a gift guide of fun Christmas gift ideas without including some potty humor for children. First up is the bag of reindeer farts

Kiddos will get a kick out of eating reindeer farts, which is actually just yummy cotton candy!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Bag of reindeer farts

For even more fart fun, this farting ink pen is another fun gift idea for children.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Farting ink pen

For the game-loving family

Games are also a great idea for Christmas gifts. If you’ve got little kiddos on your list, check out this list of five cheap games for small children the whole family will love

Beyond those games, though, there are some other fun game options families with love, including some updated classics.

First up is the classic hot potato game. Instead of someone having to play music and hit stop at random, the potato now plays music and stops on its own. How nice is that?!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Hot potato game

Another update on a classic game is this Connect 4 Shots game. I got it for one of my nephews one year and my own kids the next. We have had fun with it. 

It has the same basic rules as the classic Connect 4 but with the twist of having to bounce balls into the holder instead of dropping in pieces. Our whole family enjoys it!

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Connect 4 Shots

To get in the Christmas spirit, this set of 12 Games of Christmas is a perfect gift for game-loving families. It has 12 simple and easy-to-learn games the entire family will have fun playing.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: 12 Games of Christmas

Finally, Kids Versus Parents is a fun family game that will help families get to know one another even better and share laugh along the way.

Fun Christmas gift ideas: Kids Versus Parents game

Looking for more Christmas ideas? Check out these posts!

Christmas gift ideas for people who are hard to shop for

The best Christmas gift ideas for 14-year-old-girls

The best Christmas gift ideas for mom friends

Funny Christmas gift ideas for coworkers: 25 clean gag gifts

Christmas gifts for men under $35

30+ of the best white elephant gift ideas under $20

Christmas gift ideas under $20 for everyone on your list

When motherhood feels lonely, God is right beside you

Why God’s friendship means everything in the loneliness of motherhood

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Something that surprised me about motherhood was how lonely it can be. I’m a natural introvert who thrives on alone time. As a mom, getting alone time in the early years can be downright difficult or even impossible.

Yet, it can also be so lonely and draining. We spend every moment of the day giving ourselves away. Finding the time or energy to talk with someone else about how we’re doing can be a challenge. And that’s assuming we have someone with whom we can talk who understands us.

I have learned time and again – especially during a season of one loss after another – that God is dependable. He doesn’t leave me and is right there to listen to me.

Since becoming a mom, I appreciate the friendship of God more than ever. I am thankful He is there when I’m up with a sick child in the middle of the night or fretting about a challenge one of my kids is facing while I’m washing my hair.

We are able to find contentment, joy, peace and friendship with our Heavenly Father at all times.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for always being with me. I appreciate having you as a friend who is constant, dependable and true. When I’m feeling lonely and out of sorts, remind me of your goodness and presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hebrews 13:5
A prayer for loneliness in motherhood

Promises kept: Finding faith in God’s unfailing Word

Why you can trust God’s promises, even when life shifts

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

Joshua 21:45

Have you ever made a promise you couldn’t keep? I have. It’s not that we’re lying or trying to be mean. Instead, life sometimes happens, and plans have to change. We can end up disappointing the people who love the most – our families.

However, I am thankful that God’s promises never fail. This verse talks about His promises never failing to Israel, but it is true for us as well. And, let’s just think about the Israelites for a moment.

They were God’s chosen people. They followed Him closely, except when they didn’t. They got distracted and sidetracked so many times. They doubted God. They made idols to worship. They let other people influence them.

In short, they were just like us. Yet, God remained faithful and true to the promises He made them just as He will for us. That’s the God we serve!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for your faithfulness and the promises you make in my life. When I start to have doubts and get distracted, bring me back to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Joshua 21:45
A prayer for the weary mom

Christmas gift ideas under $20 for everyone on your list

Find a Christmas gift idea for most of your list!

Finding the perfect gift ideas for everyone on your list from family members to friends to teachers doesn’t have to break the bank. And when the holiday season hits, budgets are often stretched even thinner. So I’ve got the best Christmas gift ideas under $20 for nearly everyone on your list!

Christmas gift ideas under $20 Pinterest image 1

For me, the best gifts are ones that can be bought online (because the bustle of holiday shopping stresses me out!). And they’re affordable gifts that don’t seem like cheap gifts.

Coming up with Christmas gift ideas can be difficult. Finding the perfect present in a good price range can be even more difficult.

I decided of all the gift guides I could do, this one is important! I’m highlighting some of my favorite finds that make great gift ideas or stocking stuffers for less than $20 each (most are well under $20). 

You’ll find an ideal gift for pretty much everyone on your Christmas gift list from your mom to your kids’ teachers to your husband to your best friend. These are also great gifts for secret Santa gift exchanges! 

And if you want to snag a couple of these items for yourself, go for it! They are all priced well to be easy on the budget.

Affiliate links are used in this post, if you make a qualifying purchase via my link, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. It helps support my blog, so thank you for your support! Read my full disclosure here.

For your best friend or mom (or yourself!)

One of my favorite gifts for moms is a wallet purse. It’s a perfect addition to any woman’s bag collection. 

Often we just need something to hold our phone, debit card and keys. And it’s a thoughtful present because every mama needs something easy to grab and carry that won’t weigh down her shoulders or back. 

The nice thing about a wallet purse is that it’s the perfect size to fit down inside a larger purse or bag as well. So if you need something bigger, then you don’t have to go through the hassle of switching your cards and everything else from one bag to another.

I really love these purses for taking along on field trips with my children or longer walks. It’s one of the easiest ways to carry my phone a lot of times since most of my pants don’t have pockets.

Wallet purse

For your kids’ teachers (or pretty much anyone!)

I love stainless steel tumblers. I’m not sure love is a strong enough word, actually. I use one every single day. 

I love it for ice cold water, because that’s what I drink most, but these cups work well for anything hot or cold. And they’re a great idea for a Christmas gift idea for pretty much anyone, including your kiddos’ teachers, babysitter, postal carrier, hairdresser, best friend, mom and on and on the list goes. 

Really, who couldn’t use a cup that keeps their beverage hot or cold all day long?! When these cups first came out, they were mostly plain stainless steel and few had handles, but now there are all sorts of fabulous options. 

The good news is we all have to stay hydrated, so this is a thoughtful gift that’s also practical and can be fun. Yes, there are name brand versions that are pricey, but you can find great tumbles at lower price points as well!

This 40-ounce tumbler comes with a handle and straw in a wide variety of colors. But, the very best part? It’s dishwasher safe!

40-ounce tumbler with handle

For a slightly smaller option, this 30-ounce tumbler has a flip straw and handle for easy carrying. My daughter has a tumbler with this design that she loves for when she’s carrying lots of things with her.

Having a handle on top is a good idea to make the tumbler easier to carry, and the flip straw makes it less likely to spill.

30-ounce tumbler with top handle

For your baking friend

Honestly, I don’t buy many cookbooks any more because of the plethora of recipes online. I love Pinterest for organizing them! 

However, after reading so many of the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery books by Joanne Fluke (which I recommend if you are looking for easy, fun books with intrigue), I kept wanting to try the recipes included. 

The main character in the series owns a cookie shop and there are all sorts of yummy recipes as a result. As the series progresses, the recipes go beyond cookies to breads, cakes, pies and savory dishes as well. 

I decided I might as well just buy the Lake Eden Cookbook. I’m glad I did. 

I’ve used multiple recipes from it and even found my favorite ever chocolate cake recipe in its pages. It is one cake I gladly make from scratch because it’s easy and so scrumptious. You don’t have to be a reader of the book series to appreciate the recipes. 

The cookbook has some text written about the characters, but I’ve never read it! (And I enjoy the series.) I just really like the recipes most. 

The cookbook is basically compiled like it’s from a variety of small-town folks who appreciate good, filling dishes that don’t use a huge amount of ingredients or things that are hard to find. It’s practical and also has very detailed directions for each recipe.

The Lake Eden Cookbook is one of the more unique gifts on the list that most bakers would enjoy more than receiving kitchen gadgets that clutter their drawers!

Joanne Fluke's Lake Eden Cookbook

And if you feel like going further with this Christmas gift idea, add some nonstick Rachael Ray bakeware like I told you about in the pumpkin bread recipe would go well with the cookbook. While an entire set of the bakeware is pricier, you can get a 9×13 rectangle pan or a cookie sheet for less. I love the Rachael Way cookware so much! 

Rachael Ray cookie sheet
Rachael Ray 9x13-inch pan

For your fellow mom (or dad!) friend

Can we all just agree that kids are messy eaters? We are constantly battling crumbs at our house. 

Once my kids were old enough to get in on the action with sweeping the floor and wiping down the table as part of their chores, I realized they weren’t necessarily so great at managing crumbs. 

My husband ordered up a mini vacuum that made crumb clean-up easier. It sweeps up crumbs from the table and is perfect for little hands to use! 

It eliminates the struggle of trying to wipe crumbs from the table into your hands to carry to the trashcan. I have trouble with that myself sometimes; my kids struggle even more.

This little vacuum, however, works well. We use it on our kitchen table and chairs. We got a new table and chairs recently, but the bristles are soft enough that it doesn’t leave any scratches or marks on my table, which was important to me, too. 

Any parent  with kids would love this! And being able to use a gadget helps the kids get more excited about helping with clean-up.

ladybug mini vacuum

For your geek or gamer friend (or husband)

As I shared in my list of gift nerdy gift ideas for him, my husband is a bona fide geek — in a cool way! So, I have to include a fun gift idea or two for others like him.

First up is this set of Paladone Nintendo NEW Cartridge Coasters. How cute are these?! They look like old school Nintendo cartridges that any kid from the 1980s would love. 

I just wonder if you have to blow into them sometimes to get them to work! (And if you understand why I’m saying that, this is totally something you should order!)

Nintendo NES Coaster set

Another set of cool throwback coasters I found look like floppy disks. They are so cute! 

There are a few different option of these available, but I like this six pack of floppy disk coasters the most because they don’t have anything written on the label. 

You could totally use a Sharpie and customize the labels for yourself or just leave them blank. They come in more fun colors than I remember any of my floppy disks ever being!

Set of 6 floppy disk coasters

For your husband, dad or brother

For a few years now, my husband has been carrying a multi-tool in his pocket. It comes in handy so much for things like opening packaging, cutting straws for our kids at restaurants and all sorts of other random tasks.

Right now, in fact, he has two because he misplaced one for so long that he ended up ordering another one. We’ve also gotten this pocket tool as a gift for my father-in-law who enjoys it just as much.

Men tend to like tools that have so many components and options and this one certainly does that. It’s a great Christmas gift idea for pretty much any guy on your list.

pocket multi-tool

For your daughter or niece

When my daughter was almost 6, we got her ears pierced. Once she was able to start changing her earrings, we learned pretty quickly that anything not gold-plated made her ears break out in a rash. 

Both my mother-in-law and one of her sisters are the same way. They basically have an allergy to metals. We even tried the hypo-allergenic metals and silver-plated. All of them hurt her ears.

However, buying gold-plated jewelry for my then kindergarten-aged daughter to wear to school wasn’t something I had expected. I went in search of earrings she would like but also I wouldn’t have to stress about getting lost. 

Looking locally, I didn’t find a pair of gold-plated, girls’ earrings under $50, which seemed steep to me. I decided to check out Amazon and was so pleased to find a variety of gold-plated girls’ earrings for under $20. They make a nice gift for any age. 

These dangly, multi-colored flower earrings are one of my daughter’s favorite pairs that work well with different outfits. They are priced well for a stocking stuffer!

Dangly flower earrings for girls

Small, colorful hoop earrings are also a special gift for the little (or not so little!) lady in your life. Available in single sets or three-packs, these hoops come in a variety of colors and are perfectly sized.

Colorful hoop earrings for girls

If you’re looking for slightly larger hoops, these pearl twist hoop earrings are a great choice. I gave them to my daughter for her 15th birthday, and she loves them!

Pearl twist hoop earrings

And for those who don’t have pierced ears, go for a nice bracelet. This simple cross bracelet was also a gift to my daughter for her birthday, and she wears it daily.

Delicate gold cross bracelet

For your son or nephew

I’m not sure boys ever stop loving dinosaurs and fierce animals. I mean, they really are cool. 

​Combine dinos with Legos, and it’s a match made in heaven! This Lego Creator dinosaur set is perfect because it builds three different dinosaurs in one set.

Lego Creator Dinosaur set

If vehicles are more his thing, then this Lego Creator transportation set is a great option.

Lego Creator modes of transportation set

For kiddos a bit older (4th grade and up), this magnetic pen makes an excellent gift. Last Christmas, in fact, I bought it for my three nephews and then ended up getting one for my son as well. You can make all sorts of creations with it!

Magnetic fidget ink pen

Finally, if you’re buying for a child who has a good imagination or like fidgeting, then these transformable fidget spinners are perfect. This was a gift for my son last year as well.

He’s transformed them into a variety of different things with his imagination and really enjoyed them.

4 Transforming fidget spinners

Looking for more Christmas ideas? Check out these posts!

Christmas gift ideas for people who are hard to shop for

The best Christmas gift ideas for 14-year-old-girls

The best Christmas gift ideas for mom friends

Funny Christmas gift ideas for coworkers: 25 clean gag gifts

Christmas gifts for men under $35

30+ of the best white elephant gift ideas under $20

Quirky, fun holiday gift ideas under $25 for everyone on your list

God’s rest for weary moms: Find peace in His presence

Rest in God’s presence and feel His love when you need it most

“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”

Exodus 33:14

When my son was 4, we moved from the house he’d always lived in up until that point. Recently, he was sharing with us that he has only a few memories from living there.

One of those memories is a time he was upset and lying on his bedroom floor. He might have been crying. What he remembers most, though, is how I responded.

Instead of lecturing him or getting upset with him, I just laid down beside him in his preschool misery. Honestly, I don’t remember this specific moment, but I know I’ve had quite a few like it in motherhood.

Because, sometimes our children need most for us to just be with them in their misery so they know they aren’t alone. They can rest in our presence and know they are loved.

This is exactly what I picture with God. Sometimes I’m so beside myself that I fret and wail and flail. I want to lie on the floor and throw a fit.

And you know what He does? He lays there with me and puts His arms around me – even when I’m upset because of something I messed up on my own. He lets me just feel His love and support so I can rest and then get up and keep going.

Enjoy God’s rest today in whatever you’re facing. He will be there to hold you close and give rest to your weary heart.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for always being with me. Help me to feel your presence today and be able to truly rest in you. I get so weary and need your strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Exodus 33:14
A prayer for weary moms

Christmas gift ideas for people who are hard to shop for

40+ Christmas gift ideas under $30 for those on your list who have everything

The most challenging part of Christmas shopping can be coming up with good inexpensive gifts for someone who has everything. Figuring out the best gifts for someone you don’t know so well is also challenging.

Inexpensive gifts for someone who has everything Pinterest image 8

While I can usually come up with ideas for kiddos I don’t know as well, I often struggle to come up with ideas for adults. After talking with a few friends, I quickly realized I am not the only one!

So I scoured the Internet for some ideas and spent time on Amazon tracking down 40 awesome Christmas gift ideas for the hard to shop for folks on your list. 

And I kept it budget-friendly at $30 or less to keep your bank account happy as well! The perfect gift doesn’t have to be pricey.

You’ll find a variety of categories to help you find just the right gift and save you shopping time with your busy schedule as a mom!

Affiliate links are used in this post, if you make a qualifying purchase via my link, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. It helps support my blog, so thank you for your support! Read my full disclosure here.

Savory food Christmas gift ideas

Even the people on your list who have everything still need to eat. Food gifts are great options for a Christmas gift idea if you aren’t sure what to get for someone. While you can put together your own basket of items for someone, I am a big fan of gifts I can just order and they’ll take care of themselves. 

I’ve also found it’s usually cheaper to find a pre-made basket than to try and make one myself. Not only is that great for a tight budget, but the best part is it’s also easier!

Popcorn is one of my favorite things and really the perfect snack food in my opinion. I love this popcorn set from Urban Accents that includes three different kinds of popcorn and five premium seasonings. This Christmas gift idea would come in handy for movie night at home for the entire family. And, even better, it encourages family quality time, which is a win-win!

Another popcorn option is this Popcornopolis 12 Cone Snack Pack. It includes zebra, cheddar cheese, caramel and kettle corn in adorable Christmas themed cones. You can get a 12 Cone Snack Pack that isn’t Christmas themed as well.

Because I’m a fan of puns, I can come up with some groan-worthy puns to go along with this gourmet holiday nut gift basket. Your friends and family will go nutty for this tray of delicious Kabukim, honey roasted peanuts, American peanuts, honey glazed peanuts, salted roasted peanut, toffee coated peanuts and chocolate coated peanuts.

Gourmet nuts

If you’d rather go for a mix with more than just nuts, this nut and dried fruit gift basket from Oh Nuts! might be the perfect Christmas gift idea. The vegan treat includes kiwi tidbits, papaya bites, royal dates, dried pears, raisins, plump apricots, dried summer plums and peaches, exotic pineapple, apple rings, heart-healthy pistachios and premium roasted almonds.

This set of organic infused and smoked maple syrup from Runamok Maple Sugermaker’s in Vermont comes in an assortment of flavors. Who wouldn’t want to cover their pancakes in vanilla cinnamon real maple syrup?! Christmas is the perfect time of year for this unique gift idea since families often have more cooked breakfasts at home.

This 5-pack of gourmet organic spices from FreshJax is a great gift for anyone, especially someone who loves to grill or is an avid home cook. There are a few different variety packs available. Each seasoning lists what food items it would be good for. For example, Grill Master works well for burgers, veggies and kabobs. Cheeks is tasty on ribs, pork, chicken and even popcorn.

FreshJax is a small, family-run company who donates a portion of their profits to feed children in need. So that makes buying from them feel even better!

My maternal grandpa loved good summer sausage. I remember snacking on it with him sometimes as a kid. It’s still a meaningful gift for me, so I always think of Hickory Farms gift boxes as a great Christmas gift idea. This set includes two summer sausages, 4 ounces of sharp cheddar, sweet hot mustard, crackers and 8 strawberry candies.

Food gifts don’t have to be gourmet or fancy. Especially as families are home more throughout the holiday season, snacks are always appreciated. Pretty much anyone would like this snack box variety pack. It’s a practical gift that’s perfect for families with children.

Sweet food Christmas gift ideas

Treats are a great option for anyone who has a sweet tooth. And these affordable picks include gourmet chocolate for at a great price.

First up, this Hazel & Creme Biscotti gift box looks as pretty as it does delicious!

Christmas gift ideas that include chocolate get me excited! And Godiva chocolate is some of the best there is. It’s so creamy and delicious. I love this great deal on a whole box of chocolates.

Godiva Belgium Goldmark Assorted chocolate
Godiva masterpieces
Godiva signature milk chocolate hot cocoa

Chocolate covered pretzels always seem like a treat and this large box of gourmet chocolate covered pretzels from Hazel and Creme would be a good gift for just about anyone.

Hazel and Creme also has this gift box of chocolate covered cookies that looks absolutely divine. The lucky recipient of this gift may not want to share!

Around the home or office Christmas gift ideas

Decorative items for the home or office are good ideas of inexpensive gifts for someone who has everything. These budget-friendly gifts are perfect for throughout the home from the coffee table to the kitchen counter to the living room. 

I love the versatility of bowls. They can be used for their named purpose (like holding fruit) or for decoration or really whatever your gift recipient has in mind.

Turn the bowls into thoughtful presents by adding in homemade treats or other small gifts.

And if you think the bowl may need a filler, consider including some decorative rattan balls with it as well. These 2-inch balls are available in a wide variety of colors as a pack of 24.

Sometimes the person who has everything doesn’t have some unique kitchen gadgets. Some small appliances are an amazing gift idea for the person who has everything or is otherwise hard to buy for.

My family got this Nostalgia electric indoor s’mores maker a few years ago and we absolutely love it. It’s so much fun and a delicious way to feel like you’re in the great outdoors during colder months. 

An easy way to take this gift up a notch is by pairing it with s’mores ingredients.

I keep coming across this hot dog toaster and hearing incredibly good reviews of it from people I trust. It’s a bit quirky, but it would also make an excellent Christmas gift. (There is also a 4-slot hot dog toaster, but it costs $40.)

Another helpful kitchen item that just about anybody would like is a pizza cutter. My husband prefers the rocker pizza cutters. This one from Checkered Chef is stainless steel, dishwasher safe and comes in 14-inches or 16-inches.

And then I have to throw in this pizza wheel from Fred and Friends that looks like a saw. It’s certainly one of the more unique gifts on this list and would make an ideal gift for those who use saws regularly!

Candles are also a great gift idea for those who are challenging to buy for. You can go for a scented candle gift set like this aromatherapy one with four different scents that burn for 120 hours.

Or you can go for a battery-powered, flameless candle like this set of three. With flickering LED lights, they look like burning candles without the risk of the flame. There are four vibrant colors and styles to pick from.

Along with decorative items, everyone can always use tools around home. A couple of multi-tools are ideal for a kitchen drawer for anyone.

Book Christmas gift ideas

While I’m an avid reader, I know that not everyone is. However, there are still books that work for just about anyone, even those who aren’t book lovers. Check out these books that just about anyone would like.

Pampering Christmas gift ideas

Who couldn’t use some pampering once the holidays are over? I love pampering products as a thoughtful gift for anyone. 

Lotions and bath gels are almost always a hit with women, especially. Light, clean scents instead of stronger scents are the best option for a perfect present if you aren’t sure what she’ll like.

Bath bombs are another great pampering gift idea. From Life Around 2 Angels, these handcrafted bath bombs are made in California.

Quirky Christmas gift ideas

Sometimes you ned a Christmas gift idea that’s just a bit quirky for the person who has everything. (If you need more of these ideas, be sure to check out my post of quirky, fun gift ideas under $25 for everyone on your list.)

If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for someone who has everything, consider this gift that they surely don’t have: a star. You can order this kit and complete paperwork to name a star after someone. You can do it for them or let them do it themselves. How fun is that!

While we are celestial, check out this really cool moon nightlight. It comes in three sizes and is USB chargeable. The light works by touch to adjust its brightness.

Another space-related gift idea is this 3-inch plasma ball. It’s sensitive to touch and sound as it safely conducts colorful electricity.

Coming back to earth, this mini zen garden with rakes, rocks and figures is a fun Christmas gift idea!

Mini zen garden kit

Another fun option is this set of 100 Scrabble magnets. You could practically write your grocery list in magnets on your fridge!

I’m not sure it gets much more quirky or fun than this tortilla blanket from mermaker. The double-sided blanket is 71 inches and comes in three different colors as well as in pizza or waffle.

And because it’s 2020, I just had to add in this final quirky gift for your friend who has everything, including a sense of humor! This 1,000-piece puzzle is covered in toilet paper rolls and should certainly keep your friend or family member busy putting it together during times of quarantine and self-isolation. (Funwares also makes a 1,000-piece puzzle covered with face masks!)

Looking for more ideas? Don’t miss these lists full of gift ideas!

30 White Elephant Gifts Under $20

Quirky, fun and unique Christmas gift ideas under $25

15 Christmas gift ideas under $25 for everyone on your list

Christmas gifts for men under $35

Gag gift ideas that are clean and fun

Bible verses to give you hope for your children’s future

7 Bible verses about hope for the future to encourage moms

From the time we find out we’re pregnant, we moms think about the future and our children. And we may find ourselves stressing out with worries about what the future will hold. 

Turning to the Word of God is always helpful in times like these. I’ve pulled together seven of the best Bible verses about hope for the future that remind us mamas of God’s promises and faithfulness — no matter what the future holds.

It’s easy to put together a collection of Bible verses and declare they’ll help in whatever hard times you’re facing. But, let’s dig deeper into these verses to find the ultimate hope we have for the future in God. 

I’ve got some practical ways you can apply some of my favorite Scriptures into your daily life to grow in Christian hope and rest in God’s love.

This post is part of the “Grace-Filled Stress Relief” free Bible study for moms. Find all the details here:

Find all the details about the stress-relief Bible study for moms here

Hebrews 10:24-25

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 of Bible verses about hope for the future

Besides having the encouragement of the Scriptures, we also need encouragement from others around us. God’s intentions for us are to live in community with one another. We can do that in a variety of ways.

We must be part of a fellow community of believers. Find a church based on God’s Word and get involved.

This advice is something we hear a lot. Find believers; get involved. 

I don’t say that flippantly. As a quiet person, who is also an introvert, I know the struggle is real. I’ve been let down by God’s children often throughout my decades as a Christian.

But, God tells us to not give up meeting together. It won’t always be easy. People will let you down and even hurt your feelings. Don’t let any of that stop you.

We serve a God of hope who has good plans for each of us. Seek Him and be open to where He leads you.

Be patient.

This year, I turned 45. Having been in church my entire life and asking Jesus into my heart at age 10, I’ve been around a lot of Christians through the years. A lot!

Yet, it wasn’t until recently that I truly learned what Christian community in practice can really be like. Our Heavenly Father led us to a new church after years at the church we were at.

And, this has been such a blessing to my family. I truly understand the feeling of family at church in ways I never had previously. 

I tell you this to say don’t give up hope if it doesn’t come easy or doesn’t come right away. It may take a little while — or a long while. But there is a community of believers out there waiting for you to join them.

Find what works in your season.

I also want to mention that some phases of life and motherhood make finding a community of believers really difficult. Getting out of the house on Sunday mornings with little kids who are constantly sick or struggling is hard.

Don’t let that stop you from finding other believers you can connect with. Some seasons require us to get a bit more creative in seeking out others. 

Find a group of fellow Christian moms online to connect with. Reach out to Christian family members.

Be intentional about going after and building a community of faith to encourage you today and help strengthen your Biblical hope in the unfailing love of God.

When my children were really young, I was part of a small Bible study group with three other ladies who met weekly in a home. It wasn’t a church service, but we sincerely sought God together and lifted each other up in prayer. 

It was perfect for that season of my life.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 of Bible verses about hope for the future

This verse comes from Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. He is instructing the church in Thessalonica on how to live and continue to grow in their walk with God. 

A little gratitude can go a long way when we are overwhelmed and worried. Gratitude shifts our focus off the problem.

Even in looking to the future, we can have an attitude of gratitude in knowing no matter what the future holds, God will be present and faithful.

Thank God.

Make thanking God part of your daily routine. Maybe during your prayer time or other times, take a moment to reflect on and thank God for the blessings He’s given you now.

Thank Him for future blessings you don’t even know about, yet. Doing so will help you remember God is just as much part of your future as He is your present and was your past.

Keeping a gratitude journal can be a great way to do stay intentional with gratitude.

Check out these additional resources about gratitude:

Make time for praise.

Worrying about the present or future is pretty much impossible when you’re praising God. Find ways to make praise part of your daily routine.

You can spend time praising God in prayer, listening to praise music or praising God as a family at the dinner table. Or do a combination of all these things.

You can find Families with Grace on Spotify with a playlist of Christian praise music to get you started!

Proverbs 16:9

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Proverbs 16:9 from Bible verses about hope for the future

I’m a planner by nature. In fact, as I type this I have a physical planner sitting to the left of me and a digital planner pulled up on the screen beside me.

Oh, and my family’s weekly planner is sitting on the printer for me to post on the fridge.

So, yeah. I plan. A lot. I love lists and calendars. They soothe me and make me feel in control.

But, I’ve found the control I feel in my human mind isn’t real control at all. It’s basically an illusion.

All the to-do lists in the world can’t stop my children from getting sick and disrupting my plans. Unchangeable things happen. Weather, sickness, loss and more interrupt our plans.

I’ve learned uncertain times in my own life are not all uncertain or surprising to God. 

Don’t forget the past.

When life does go sideways, I find strong encouragement in remembering the past and how God has brought me through each and every challenge.

Taking time to dwell on the goodness of God in the strife of life is important and gives us a future hope in knowing God will be with us every step of the way. He always been faithful, and He won’t stop now.

Trust in the good things God has for you.

Another way I’ve found to encourage myself when my plans don’t come to fruition is to know and trust God wants and has good things for me both in the present and the future.

Because even when times are hard or uncertain, I am surrounded by the blessings of God. When life is really difficult and finding hope for the future is beyond our understanding, then we can at least find hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I’ll never forget one of my lowest moments when I was at church, saw the cross and felt God reminding me that when everything was falling apart, I could always fall back on the hope of salvation and love of Jesus.

Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 from Bible verses about hope for the future

This verse — oh, this verse! It is one of the very first Bible verses I ever memorized as a child. I truly believe the power of the Holy Spirit kept this verse on my mind and in my heart.

Life is scary. Looking at the future is scary. Yet, God is with us — always. 

I clung to the first part of this verse most when I was a child and afraid of unknown things in the dark. When I got older, I learned the rest of the verse, and the hope it has given me is beyond my own understanding.

Because not only can I let go of fear and trust God is on top of things, I can also lean into and rely on His strength, help and protection. I can imagine no safer place than in the right hand of God.

Memorize a helpful verse.

This verse may not be your verse, so to speak, like it is for me. But find a Bible verse to remind you of the Lord’s great love and His perfect peace.

If you’re not sure what verse is right for you, pray and ask God to guide you and open the eyes of your heart to find the verse He has for you. 

Write it out, post it on your mirror, recite it over and over or whatever you need to do to dwell on and remember the verse. Our God is a God of living hope and His Word reminds us of this throughout both the Old Testament and New Testament.

Check out these posts full of Bible verses for some ideas as well.

Visualize yourself with God.

Another thing I’ve done with this verse in particular is visualize myself resting in God’s hand. It may sound a bit silly, but it brings me comfort to know Someone bigger than me who is trustworthy is on duty when I feel like I can’t go on.

Find an image that brings you peace and comfort from our Heavenly Father. Close your eyes and imagine that when you start to feel overwhelmed in life. 

Ask God to give you thoughts of peace in the midst of the struggle and worry.

Psalm 100:5

“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:5 from Bible verses about hope for the future

If I think about all God has brought me through in my life, I can see the great mercy of God and the steadfast love of the Lord. I praise Him for that and am so thankful.

Somehow, I am even more thankful God is merciful, faithful and loving to my children. Knowing not only is God good and constant, but He will be there for my children and future generations makes me want to shout for joy.

As moms, we want good for our children, just as our Heavenly Father does for us. We can trust Him to take care of our children even when we can’t.

Pray over and for your children.

The Lord delights in the love of His children, which includes our own children. Pray over and for your kids to know God personally. 

Nothing matters more than helping our children grow in and build a relationship with God. Prayer is foundational for this.

Check out “14 Powerful prayers to pray for your school children” for more inspiration.

Stand on God’s promise of faithfulness.

During those times when you do feel overwhelmed and worried about what the future holds for your children, stand on promises like the one in this verse.

God has been faithful to every generation since Adam and Eve. He will continue to be faithful to your children’s generation and beyond.

Psalm 37:5

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.”

Psalm 37:5 from Bible verses about hope for the future

These words from King David in the Bible are encouraging. In fact, the verses following this one go on to talk about how God will reward our righteousness, and we don’t have to worry when wicked seems to be prevailing.

Just a little faith can go a long way. In fact, David, who was called a man after God’s own heart, had his own faith struggles.

Throughout the book of Psalms, we see David’s emotions go up and down as he wavers and wonders.

But he always comes back to the Lord God, who never lets him down, just as He never lets us down.

Keep going on your faith walk.

When we feel overwhelmed, stressed, discouraged and fearful of the future, it’s easy to start pulling away from God. We can find ourselves resisting going to church, reading the Bible, praying and more.

Yet, these are the very times we need to keep going and commit our way to God. Even when you feel like you may only be going through the motions, don’t stop. 

Those motions will eventually lead you right to your Savior Jesus Christ who is patiently waiting for you to get back in line with Him.

Don’t get ahead of yourself.

It can be hard to not try to fix things ourselves. We think we know what’s best most of the time, and perhaps especially for our children.

This verse reminds us God doesn’t expect us to have all the answers. We just need to commit ourselves to Him and have faith in Him. 

He will do the rest.

Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6 from Bible verses about hope for the future

We’ve all started projects and not finished them. Or we’ve delayed working on them. Life gets busy and other things take precedence.

God is not the same. He has a work of faith going in you, and He won’t stop until the end. He doesn’t get distracted or sidetracked by life.

Remember God is working in your children’s lives.

Just as God will remain faithful to carry out the good work in our lives, He will do so for our children as well. We can trust and rest in that promise firmly.

Along with having the hope of eternal life for ourselves and our children, we also have the hope of God’s faithfulness and help every step of the way until we get there. 

We can be encouraged to know God won’t forget about the good work He started in our children, even when we see them falling short.

Think in the long-term.

Thinking in the long-term sounds a bit counterintuitive when we are talking about not having fear for the future. But, let me explain.

Sometimes we can get caught up in our present sufferings and things we see coming right away. God, however, sees the big picture beyond what we can see.

So thinking in the long-term can help us have perspective about whatever we’re currently facing. We have the hope of glory no matter what happens.

For example, I’ve gained a lot of perspective in life as I’ve grown. Teenage me found small things to be a much bigger deal than adult me does, because I’ve got more perspective.

If we can wrap our minds just a bit around the long-term plan of living for God, then we can more easily let our earthly worries and fears dissipate.

8 Practical tips for building a Christian home

How to create a Godly home for your family

Building a Christian home is important for our families and their wellbeing. The world can be a harsh place, so we want to create an atmosphere that provides a safe place for our family to rest and rejuvenate.

As Christian parents, my husband and I work together to keep our household running calmly and smoothly. It not only decreases our stress levels but it also encourages a stronger family life with our children, which is so important.

And, if you’re like I am and no good at interior design, having a Christian home doesn’t have to do with decor. Instead it’s about creating a peaceful atmosphere where your family can relax, regroup and reconnect with each other and in their spiritual journey.

These 8 ways for how to build a Christian home are a great starting point for your family. They’re also part of the “Grace-Filled Stress Relief” free Bible study for moms. Find all the details here: 

Find all the details about the stress-relief Bible study for moms here

1. Take care of your own relationship with God. 

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3 image

The first thing you need to do in order to build a Christian home is to take care of your own heart. Make sure you are reading God’s Word, spending time in prayer and are seeking spiritual wisdom from other Christians.

When we are connect to Christ Jesus, then we are more at-peace and less stressed. We’re also able to better fulfill God’s plan for our lives.

We cannot teach our children about God without having knowledge of God ourselves. Keeping your own relationship with God strong will help you be a better Christian mom and create a Godly home.

Be sure to check out these resources on how busy moms can find time for God:

2. Stay connected to your husband. 

“However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Ephesians 5:33 (NIV)
Ephesians 5:33 image

Keeping your marriage strong is an important part of Christian family life. Sometimes church members get caught up in the verses about marriage that focus on the husband as the head of the home. However, God’s purpose for marriage is to be a loving, joint relationship. 

You must love and respect one another to keep  your relationship strong. No home is going to be peaceful with parents who are at odds with one another all the time.

In order to live on Godly parents, you must spend time together and talk about parenting in order to best minister to your kids’ hearts and physical needs.

Be sure to check out these resources on how to have a stronger Christian marriage:

3. Pray for God’s wisdom and peace in your home. 

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Colossians 3:15 image

If we want a home full of peace and calm, then we need to live as one body. Each member of the family needs to feel included and be part of family life. 

As Christian families, we can help accomplish this through prayer. We pray for our family’s needs, but we must also pray for God’s wisdom and peace to be part of our family lives and part of our homes.

You can pray this together as a family or make a commitment in your own prayer life to ask for guidance and help from the Holy Spirit in your family life and home.

4. Monitor the content your family consumes. 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Philippians 4:8 image

You don’t have to be constantly reading family devotions or watching Christian content. But, you do need to use the Word of God as a guiding principle in deciding what content to let into your home.

This will change through the years as your children grow. Things they are permitted to watch now aren’t the same as when they were toddlers. 

We want to raise young people in the world but not of the world. Both of my children have groused about not being allowed to watch certain shows or movies their friends can watch.

However, we don’t use foul language in our family, and content rampant with it is not permitted in our home. Part of living a Christian life means that we are to be aware of what goes into our heads — and that certainly extends into Christian parenting and what we are putting into the heads of all our family members.

5. Make quality time with one another a priority. 

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

Psalm 133:1 (NIV)
Psalm 133:1 image

Having a strong and calm Christian home also means spending time together just your family and letting the outside world fall away for a bit. You can do this however works best for your family.

For us, time around the dinner table is important. We talk about our days and what’s going on. We also spend time together watching movies and playing games. 

How to build a Christian home Pinterest image 7

And having two children is an ideal situation for us to divide equally time with them. Each of them has two nights throughout the school week they get to hang out with their dad and me solo. 

Most of the time, we do fun things together during this time. Once a month, we have a check-in night with each child to talk about any concerns they have in any area of their lives.

Find more resources on having quality time with your family:

6. Cheer for and encourage each other. 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Ephesians 4:29 image

The Apostle Paul tells us that we are to use our words to build one another up. Jesus Christ tells us to treat others how we want to be treated in Matthew 7:12. In fact, Jesus’ words here are often referred to as the golden rule, because they best sum up God’s purposes for us to live in love.

Using kind and encouraging words within your home is important. Our children are always listening and learning from the things we say and do. We cannot tell them to speak nicely to one another, when we are not modeling that behavior in how we speak.

Our family has a principle that what’s good for one of us is good for all of us. Competition is left for games only and in no other way. 

Our children support and cheer for one another just as their dad and I do. 

Find more resources on speaking kindly:

7. Pray for one another. 

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
Ephesians 6:18 image

Prayer is important for spiritual growth to happen in the lives of your family members. We should pray for our families but also encourage them to pray for each other as well.

These can be prayers as simple as “God, be with my child today at school” or “Jesus, help my brother.”

Our children’s prayers will grow and evolve with them, but we want to start them off early with taking others to God in prayer — including their own family members.

Find more resources on family prayers:

8. Make time for rest. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)
Matthew 11:28-29 image

These words of Jesus remind us of the importance of downtime. To build a Godly home full of peace and calm, you have to be there. 

We can get caught up in the busy culture that surrounds us where we think we must be on the go all the time and do all the things. Intentionally set aside downtime for your family.

When our children were in elementary school, our general rule was they could only have one ongoing extracurricular activity at a time. That has grown and evolved with them, but we still guard our family’s downtime.

Downtime is important for physical and spiritual rest. It also allows you more opportunities to connect with one another.

Remember you aren’t alone!

No matter what, remember that you aren’t alone on this journey. God is with you every step of the way. Allow Him and His Holy Spirit to be at work in your life and in your home.

Connecting with other Christian moms can also help. Check out both the private Facebook group, Christian Moms with Grace, and the free “Grace-Filled Stress Relief” Bible study this post is a part of.

The best Bible for preschool children’s ministry

A new Bible ideal for young kids

As a Christian mom, I wanted to share God’s Word with my children from the time they were small. While I love the full version of the Bible for myself, finding the best children’s Bible was important to me. 

Nowadays, my children are older, yet kids’ Bibles are still very much part of my life. My teen daughter is a preschool Sunday School teacher at our church, and she and I write the curriculum for all the children’s classes together.

So we are constantly on the lookout for Bible story books and materials that do a great job of explaining the Bible and God’s love to little kids. We also keep an eye out for videos that are a great way to reinforce the Bible story with kiddos who have short attention spans.

When I came across the “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible,” I was excited. The first thing I immediately recognized was the images were from a videos series of Bible lessons we have included as part of our curriculum. 

Having a story Bible to pair with the videos for younger children is a great idea. I couldn’t wait to dig in!

And if I was excited, my daughter was ecstatic. She squealed with excitement when I told her about it and barely let me open the package when it arrived before she was yanking it out of my hands to peruse it. 

Disclosure: I was given a copy of the “Hey-O! Stores of the Bible” for review. All opinions are my own.

About the “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible”

The “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible” is not a word-for-word translation. And, that makes it a great choice for younger kids who need to learn the key stories of the Bible.

I found for my own children and those for whom I write curriculum that the best Bibles for young children are those with good illustrations and simple language that are easy to understand a little bit at a time.

​Each page of the “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible” has no more than two paragraphs written in an easy-to-read font. For early readers, these small groupings of text are a good choice.

(As the mom of a dyslexic child, I really understand how small passages of text are much more manageable for new or young readers!)

Using smaller blocks of text, this colorful story book is a great read-aloud Bible. Since receiving it we have used it as part of our curriculum, in fact.

The Hey-O! videos 

Another thing that sets the “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible” apart from other children’s Bibles is the QR code at the front leading to a page full of animated versions of each story in the Bible.

What a great resource! Children can follow along in their own Bible story book while watching the video or use them separately. Being able to both read and watch the Bible stories is a great option to help young minds really process and learn pivotal Bible stories.

What I’ve long loved about the Hey-O! videos is they are a great length for a younger age group. All the videos are 5 minutes or less with animated characters portraying the stories told by a narrator.

How we’re using the “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible”

The “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible” has become one of my favorite children’s Bibles. From the perspective of a Sunday School teacher and/or children’s ministry curriculum writer, it’s a great resource we start with when lesson planning.

This book is especially good for our early childhood classes from toddlers to second graders. 

So, my daughter and I are using it as we are planning lessons. In fact, as we are looking toward the upcoming Christmas season, we’ve already talked about how the “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible” has a great version of the Christmas story we will be using.

A photo of my daughter and me lesson prepping for preschool with the "Hey-O! Stories of the Bible"
A photo of my daughter and me lesson prepping for preschool with the “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible.”

I’ve got some other favorite Bibles as well. “The Jesus Storybook Bible” is a long-time favorite of mine for reading to my children, in fact. 

Yet, I will say the “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible” book is ideal for children’s ministry with its shorter stories that can stand alone and the addition of the videos to match it.

Visit Saddleback Kids to learn more about learn more about “Hey-O! Stories of the Bible.”

Grab your own copy here!

Christian parenting advice: 10 tips for raising Godly kids

Biblical principles to help your children grow in faith

Of all the jobs I’ve held in my life, parenting is by far the most challenging, rewarding and important. More than anything, I want my children to have a personal relationship with their Heavenly Father. That’s the goal for Christian parents.

Figuring out the best ways to live out faith in our modern world takes some intentionality. The best parenting advice we can seek found in God’s Word.

While nobody is a perfect parent on earth, there are some Christian parenting tips that can helps us stay more in line with Biblical parenting as we raise our children and instill in them a Christian faith.

Affiliate links are used in this post, if you make a qualifying purchase via my link, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. It helps support my blog, so thank you for your support! Read my full disclosure here.

Find all the details about the stress-relief Bible study for moms here

Why Christian parenting is important

In order to raise Godly children, we have to be purposeful. Ideally this starts before you have children as you talk about your parenting style. However, no matter what phase of parenthood you’re in, you can move forward with making parenting decisions based around your faith.

And, if we’re being completely honest here, Christian parenting is hard work. Not only are you trying to teach your children how to be good people, you’re also trying to combat the influence of the world. That’s all while figuring out how to teach our kids to be in the world but not of the world.

It’s exhausting! Yet, it’s also worth it. Building a Christ-centered home founded on Biblical principles shows our children what being a Christian is from their time they are a very young age.

My experiences with Christian parenting

In our years of raising kids, so far, we have been through a variety of stages. We are now mostly in the teenage years with a child in middle school and one in high school. 

We are still in the thick of parenting. These days, we are working more and more with our children to allow them to make their own decisions and want to be sure we have equipped them to do that God’s way rather than the world’s way.

In building a Christ-centered home, my husband and I have been intentional about raising our kiddos to know God personally.

1. Teach your children who God is.

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 image

From young children to old children, they need to know about God. This means teaching them about Him in age-appropriate ways.

For example, we started nightly prayers with our children from before they were old enough to say them themselves. We read to them from children’s Bibles. (Our favorite is “The Jesus Storybook Bible!”

We took them to Sunday School. (Now our oldest is a Sunday School teacher herself!)

We talked about God in everyday life. Of course we didn’t only talk about God — that’s not practical. But when we had a natural chance, we talked about Him. 

Now that we have older children, we are teaching them more complex things about God. They know the basics, so now we focus more on what it looks like to really live for God in the modern world. 

We strive to give them a Biblical worldview on current events and challenges they face in school. Simply talking to your children about God and who He is gives them a foundation for their own faith and relationship with Him.

2. Talk with your children about how God is working and has worked in your own life.

“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”

Psalm 145:4 (NIV)
Psalm 145:4 image

This second point is also important. For our children to see the relevance of God in their everyday lives, hearing and seeing Him at work in their own parents’ lives is important.

We do this in different ways. When we had little kids, my husband and I would talk about answered prayers for even the little things. Sometimes it would just be saying “Thank you, Jesus” out loud when we found a close parking spot on a frigid winter day.

This continued to evolve as our kids grew. We talk with them about making good decisions and ways we have relied on God for His guidance.

One of the best ways to share about God’s love with others is telling them our own stories. This applies to our children as well. They can see the testimony of God at work in our lives, but they also need to hear about it.

3. Make family worship a priority.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Proverbs 22:6 image

This Bible verse is certainly a familiar one for most Christian families. We love this promise God proclaims over our children’s lives. 

Christian parenting advice Pinterest image 8

But we also have to do our part. And that means showing them time with God is priority.

While it may not seem like a big deal, taking your children to church regularly is important for their spiritual growth. There may be phases where that’s harder to do than others. 

The newborn phase is challenging and was with both of my children. When you have small children, getting everyone up, ready and out the door is definitely difficult. Keeping everyone healthy is another challenge.

We had so many viruses and germs go through our household when my oldest started preschool!

Yet we persisted. And now both of our children know that Sunday morning means church. In fact, sometimes we have had to miss church in person for one of us being sick, and my daughter usually pleads to go in person if at all possible. Even just watching the livestream of the service isn’t enough for her.

4. Pray for your children.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Romans 12:12 image

One of the hard things about parenting is we can struggle to see our progress. During those early years when we are trying to keep our heads above water and find ways to somehow build Christ-centered homes in the chaos, we can get discouraged.

However, the Bible tell us to have hope in God, be patient during hard times and never stop praying. Praying for our children is so important.

We need to pray for our children’s hearts to be open and receptive to God. We should pray for protection over them in every way: mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

The Holy Spirit is ever at work in our lives and the lives of our children. Through prayer, we can tap into that power and strength — both of which are desperately needed.

While most of my prayers for my children are on my own, I do also pray in front of them for them. For example, one of the practical ways we have combatted bedtime fears is with prayer asking God to help.

I share with my children that’s exactly what I do when I’m struggling with being afraid and need to sleep. Especially when they were younger, I’d ask if they wanted me to pray out loud for them, and usually they would say yes.

I also pray over each of my children on their birthdays. It’s become one of our birthday traditions, in fact.

Check out these 14 powerful prayers to pray for your school children.

5. Encourage your children to find the plan God has for their lives.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”

Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11 image

Part of good parenting is recognizing our children are unique from us. They each have their own purposes and God has a plan for each child’s life. 

From the time I found out I was pregnant, I wondered about the children God was blessing me with. What would they like? What would they want to do?

Now as the mom of an 11-year-old and 15-year-old, I can tell you that I was right about some things and wrong about others. One very obvious way I was wrong was I expected my daughter to have my dark eyes and hair since they are dominant traits. Instead, she has light eyes and red hair.

Yet, the differences in how we look aren’t the only things different about us. She has her own unique gifts and calling from God on her life, just as my son does.

My husband and I have worked to be supportive of their dreams and hopes from the time they were younger children. We don’t know exactly what occupation they’ll each have, but we have encouraged them each step of the way to seek God first and follow His leading.

I know following Christ Jesus will bring them joy and contentment more than anything else in this world. I also know their purpose and His plan for them may surprise me. 

The biggest influence I can have in the matter is encouraging them to seek God, have a good relationship with Him and hold strong to their faith as they make major life decisions.

6. Pray for yourself as a parent.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:5 (NIV)
James 1:5 image

I am a smart person. Way back in the day, in fact, I earned a full academic scholarship to college. But being smart and being wise are two different things.

Wisdom comes with experience. And, boy, parenting takes a lot of wisdom! I don’t have nearly enough of it on my own. Daily I pray God gives me the wisdom and strength to be the mom my children need.

I cannot do it on my own. If I think about the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control), I know those are all characteristics I want to display and live out. But I also know, as the Apostle Paul tells us in those Bible verses from Galatians 5:22-23, that I cannot do so on my own.

To do the good work of raising a Godly child, we must seek God’s wisdom, strength and general help in parenting. 

Don’t forget in-the-moment prayers as well. Many times we’ve been in the middle of a discussion or challenge with our kids and I simply pray silently, “God, help us” or “God, give us wisdom.” I pray for both my husband and myself that way.

Find inspiration with these prayers:

7. Let your children see you make mistakes.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Romans 3:23 (NIV)
Romans 3:23 image

Past generations of parents held to the opinion they were never wrong and admitting mistakes to their children made them seem weak. I just don’t think that’s a good parenting philosophy.

Just as we need to teach our children how to live, we need to teach them how to make mistakes and fail. One of the best ways we can do that is by letting them see our own mistakes. 

The last thing I want is for my kids to think they need to live perfect lives and not mess up. That’s not reasonable and goes completely against human nature and who God says we are.

Instead, I want them to know they will make mistakes, but not only will they have the unconditional love of their dad and me, they’ll also have the unconditional love of their Heavenly Father.

We’ve also talked about how if we were all perfect, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to come and die for our sins. Apologizing to your kids when you mess up is a good thing. It shows them nobody is perfect and how to behave when they do mess up.

One of the principles in our family is the kids will be in bigger trouble for lying to us than for owning up to what they did. Allowing them to see us owning up to mistakes helps them realize it isn’t the end of the world to do so.

8. Encourage open conversations about faith in your family.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Hebrews 11:1

Young people of all ages have questions. Little children want to know a lot of things that are kind of random, like how Noah fit all the animals on the ark or what kind of fish was used when Jesus fed the 5,000.

Older children have deeper questions of faith, like how do we know God is real or why does God let bad things happen.

These are all valid questions and something you can explore together. Because here’s the thing I know for sure about God after my decades of serving Him: He can stand up to any and all questions. If He couldn’t, then He wouldn’t be a God worth serving!

Let your children ask questions, and don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know the answer. Look it up together. Talk to your pastor or other spiritual leader.

Or, in the case of answers nobody knows, talk about your different theories and how some information we won’t know until we get to heaven. Bring the focus always back to what matters most in faith of knowing God loves us, wants a personal relationship with us, sent His Son to die for our sins before raising Him from the dead.

9. Connect them with other Christians to pour into them as well.

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

Titus 2:7-8 (NIV)
Titus 2:7-8

We don’t want to only keep our children people who are a bad influence, we also want to connect them with people who are a good influence. Often, our kids will listen to someone else more than us as their parents. 

Help your kiddos get connected to other Christian adults who can teach them about God and love on them as well. This includes extended family members, friends and church family. 

Taking them to Sunday School or other such offerings as young children is a great place to start. Then finding a good youth group and ministry to connect them with as they are older is important.

10. Pray and study with your children.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
Matthew 18:20 image

Some of the best Christian parenting advice is to pray and study with your children. When we read this Bible verse from Matthew that where two or three are gathered, God is there also, we don’t always think about it applying in our families, but it does!

Make prayer time and devotional or Bible study time a priority. One of the ways we helped our children learn how to pray for others when they were young was by using prayer envelopes they would draw from each night.

We’d talk about different ways we could pray for people from thanking God for them, asking God to bless them, asking God to protect them and so one when we didn’t know a specific request.

Now they are older and we still have family prayer time. Getting into the Bible together is also important. Even just having a Bible verse each week, doing a devotional together once (or more!) a week or whatever works best for your family.

(Grab the free “Finding Grace at Home: 7 Days of 5-Minute Devotions!”)

Another practical way to make this happen is discussing church sermons or lessons afterward. We have had some amazing time of connection and growth just by doing that.

Bonus tip: Grow in your own spiritual walk with God

In order to be the mama God created you to be and your children need you to be, you also have to take care of your own spiritual walk. Make prayer and Bible study part of your regular routine.

Another component of spiritual growth is connecting with other believers. Consider joining my free, private Facebook group, Christian Moms with Grace, for daily discussions about life and faith.

And take advantage of this free Bible study just for moms, “Grace-filled Stress Relief.”

God never intended for you to be on this journey alone!