Joy in the Works

Celebrating the joys and challenges of motherhood

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Work with Me
    • Disclosure
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • Kid Fun
    • Activities
    • Crafts
    • Printables
  • Holidays
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Miscellaneous
  • Parties
    • Themed Parties
    • Party Food
  • Gifts
  • Shop
    • Printable Games
    • Treat Bag Toppers
    • Gift Tags
    • Printable Cards
    • For the Walls
  • Contact

Meaningful Christmas Gifts for Friends, Neighbors and Teachers

Sharing is caring!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

I don’t know if it is that I grew up watching my mom give Christmas gifts to all her friends and neighbors, but it is a tradition I have carried on as well. It’s always a small token gift, some years it’s just a plate of cookies, but I always do something small for my close friends, neighbors and my children’s teachers. But as I have grown up and I have begun trying to focus on what really matters, I have been making an effort to give more meaningful Christmas gifts that come with a deeper message.
Looking to give something different this year to your friends, neighbors and child's teachers? Check out these meaningful Christmas gifts that encourage people to slow down and enjoy the season and the year to come! These meaningful gift ideas include gift tag ideas for a joy jar, a family memory jar, a family fun night and more!I apologize in advance for the poor photo quality- some of these photos were taken quite awhile ago before I knew anything about photography and cameras. Or basically before I had an iPhone! ;) But I felt like the ideas were good enough to share that perhaps you would be able to see past the poor lighting! =) Also, this post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a small percentage of any purchases you might make through my site, at no increased cost to you.

Meaningful Christmas Gifts

Joy Jar

Meaningful Christmas Gift Idea: A Joy Jar! A Joy Jar is perfect for a grandparent or a Christmas gift for the teacher from the whole class. A joy jar is a chance for kids to record what about the person gives them joy!The Joy Jar was actually a Christmas gift for one of my son’s teachers from the whole class. I gathered some Christmas stickers, paper and other scrapbook supplies and the class and I made some small festive cards. On the back, we wrote messages to the teacher. Some kids would tell stories, others would say why they liked her and others would try to get away with just saying she was nice! I wouldn’t let them stick with that, don’t worry! Either way, the goal was to fill a jar with notes or stories that would give the teacher joy whenever she opened it. It sat on her desk throughout the entire rest of the school year!

I think a Joy Jar would be a great gift idea for lots of people in our lives. Consider doing it from all the grandchildren to the grandparents or even just to Daddy from the kids. Everyone could use more joy in their life, right? I think the Joy Jar is the epitome of a meaningful Christmas gift, don’t you? If you want more details, check out this post.

Christian Themed Cookie Cutters with Bible Verses

Meaningful Christmas Gift Idea: Christian Themed Cookie Cutters that are each attached to a Christmas Bible VerseMeaningful Christmas Gift Idea: Christian Themed Cookie Cutters that are each attached to a Christmas Bible VerseMeaningful Christmas Gift Idea: Christian Themed Cookie Cutters that are each attached to a Christmas Bible VerseI confess, I love Christmas baking! In fact, I have a very special Christmas tradition of baking Christmas cookies with a friend of mine that I copied from my mom and her friend. My college roommate and I have been baking together for almost 20 years now too! My mom and her friend probably wouldn’t want to admit how many years they have been baking together at this point, but suffice it to say, it is a lot longer than that! =)

Anyway, because I love Christmas baking, I always keep my eyes open for good deals on cookie cutters during the Christmas season and I found some great ones at Target a few years back. I just loved the Star of Bethlehem cookie cutter and was so impressed that there was a cross one as well. It inspired me to collect a few and give them as a gift with a few bible verses to go with them. You can see the note I came up with above. Interested in getting help with a personalized printable note? Send me an email at info@joyintheworks.com and I can design one for you!

Monogrammed Family Memory Jar

Meaningful Christmas Gift: Monogrammed Family Memory Jar with a special note encouraging families to record their special moments throughout the year...Meaningful Christmas Gift: Monogrammed Family Memory Jar with a special note encouraging families to record their special moments throughout the year...You may have seen Memory Jars on Pinterest, but what makes this one a bit different is the way I presented it and that I did it as a gift. In fact, I thought it was pretty funny that while some people are giving food and such in a jar for Christmas, I was actually giving people an empty jar for their Christmas gift!

But I think encouraging people to create family memories is a great idea and it is simple to make, too. I found mason jars, black vinyl letters and a variety of scrapbook paper and ribbon I had on hand at home. I put each family’s monogram letter on the front of the jar, lined the inside with scrapbook paper and tied a ribbon and a note on it (email me at info@joyintheworks.com if you want me to design a personalized note for you!). It is optional, but you can also use a circle sticker on the lid and print or write the family name on it.  I really liked the way this Monogrammed Memory Jar came out and I thought the sentiment really made this one a meaningful Christmas gift.

Ice Cream Bowls and Toppings for a Family Fun Night

Meaningful Christmas Gift Idea: Ice Cream Bowls, Chocolate Sauce, Candy Cane Toppings and a note about a family fun night during the busy holiday season.Now at first glance, you might not think a family set of ice cream bowls and toppings are meaningful, but it’s all about the presentation! Simply include hot fudge sauce and mini candy canes that the kids can crush themselves and add a tag with instructions to stop and slow down and have a family night in! Better yet? Add a Redbox gift card or a DVD to really encourage some family fun!

Mom’s Relax and Rejuvenate Kit (Not Pictured)
I was so sad to see I didn’t get a picture of this gift.  It is simple enough for you to recreate on your own, however. All I did was go to Target and look for small, travel sized, lotions, soaps, body wash and bubble bath.  I wrapped up a few items in a small bag and attached a note that encouraged moms to take the time to slow down, relax, rejuvenate and enjoy the holiday season. Moms are asked to do so much at this time of year and I wanted to remind them in a small way that they deserve a break because they are constantly giving to others. I also reminded my mom friends that often it takes a concerted effort to “Be Still and Know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 ) to really understand what the true gift of the holiday season really is.

Gratitude Journal (Not Pictured)
Believe it or not, I have also given gratitude journals as a token gift. It really depends on the person and the relationship, but a regular journal or a gratitude journal can be a great way to give a meaningful Christmas gift. I found a few different ones for you to choose from:

What do you think? Would you ever considering giving a more meaningful Christmas gift to friends, neighbors or teachers? Do you have any ideas to add? You also may have noticed that most of these gifts are reliant on the special gift tag that comes with it. If you would like me to design you one, please contact me at info@joyintheworks.com and I can give you rate and details.

Looking to give something different this year to your friends, neighbors and child's teachers? Check out these meaningful Christmas gifts that encourage people to slow down and enjoy the season and the year to come! These meaningful gift ideas include gift tag ideas for a joy jar, a family memory jar, a family fun night and more!
Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

signature

Sharing is caring!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Filed Under: Celebrations, Christmas, Gifts, Gifts, Holidays Leave a Comment

About Shannon

Shannon is a former teacher turned SAHM to 3 active boys. She is always on the lookout for ways to celebrate the special days and find joy in the hard ones, especially because motherhood (and life!) seem full of them sometimes! She loves to laugh and play with her family and can plan a mean birthday party for her kids!

« How to Surprise Your Kids with a Family Vacation
Abstract Art Travel Mug »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe Via Email

Categories

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT