Goer Gifts for Christmas

It’s December, and we are halfway to Christmas! It’s probably too late to mail something to your overseas kids, but I have some ideas that might still work if you would like to bless them with a gift this season. Some of these ideas have Amazon links, but if that service doesn’t work in your child’s country, you’ll have to do some research (or just ask your child) since there may be an “Amazon-equivalent” service which could accomplish the same purpose.

Game Night: This idea is for the grandparents of school-aged kids who live abroad. Why not buy a game of Guess Who or Battleship for yourself (and for the faraway littles if Amazon works in their country) and have your child buy the same games locally for the kids? Then gift your grands a game night each week where they can play these games with–and hopefully beat–you. If your Goers aren’t able to procure these games this year, gift them to the kids on their next stateside visit and schedule your future game nights then.

Oreos: When my kids lived in Central Asia, they weren’t able to buy American Oreos and the Oreos made in their country just didn’t taste the same. On all of our trips abroad, we have taken a small suitcase full of American treats that they were unable to find locally. If you can find a way to send some favorite, familiar treats to them, it would make their Christmas sweeter. 

Entertainment: Do your kids like concerts? Amusement parks? Aquariums? Museums? Research some of these options in their locale and buy them season passes or electronic tickets to attend these interesting venues. They will be surprised that you spent time finding local options for their entertainment. 

Reading: Do you and your goer share some interests? Have a favorite author? Want to learn a new skill? Buy a book for yourself covering any one of these things and gift the same one to your child via Amazon or another comparable service. A few times a month, have a book club and discuss the chapters you have both read. This is a great way to not only have regular meaningful discussions, but it’s also a way to motivate yourself to read more books. 

Good Night Moon: Here’s another reading idea for the grandparents. Try scheduling a time to read a bedtime story to your grandchild. Good Night Moon, is an oldie but a goodie that all young children love to read over and over.

Intercessory Prayer: (I know this may seem like a spiritually-sounding “cop-out” gift, but it’s really not; anytime we lift up someone we love to our all-powerful God, it is a gift to them and us.)  List one family member’s name on each day of the month–it can stay mostly the same from month to month–and then send them a text or an email on that day telling them what you are praying for them. I use this method because, as my family grows, my prayer list has become too long and overwhelming. When I am only praying for one to two people a day, I can be more focused and purposeful in my intercession for them.

Films: Like the last suggestion, this isn’t technically a gift, but it is a great way to spend time with your kids on special days. Did you know you can create a virtual watch party on Zoom and watch movies with your overseas kids?! You can! Check out this simple YouTube tutorial and watch some Hallmark Christmas shows before the season is over.

Travel: Almost last, but certainly not least. If you can gift your kids an actual visit, IN PERSON, DO IT! It will help you be at ease with this new life more than anything else because the experience will take away the mystery of their assignment. And it will soothe your heart to be able to picture them in their own home when you return. Scheduling a future visit would be a great gift to them!

Savior: This isn’t actually something you can give your Goer, but something that has already been given to them (and hopefully you too!). Over two thousand years ago, a baby was born in a stable in Bethlehem. This baby, our Savior Jesus Christ, was a gift to humanity. He was God incarnate, who came to earth to perfectly live, die, and be resurrected in our place. He left the light and perfection of Heaven to be born as a baby into our dark and imperfect world. This miraculous birth was actually a rescue mission that provided a way for us to be reconciled to the Father whom we rebelled against. God made us, he loves us, and he wants to spend eternity with us. The way we receive this gift is to accept his lordship over our lives. The way we respond to this gift is to worship. 

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!”

~ Psalm 95:6

Merry Christmas!