Avoid a Competition

Grandparents should avoid making buying presents for the grandkids a competition. Sets of grandparents sometimes try to outdo each other in the gift department to be a grandchild’s “favorite.” When buying gifts, it might be a good idea to talk to the other set of grandparents to prevent going overboard and duplicating gifts.

Be Flexible in Planning

Scheduling Christmas celebrations can be tough with two sets of grandparents. Many families celebrate Christmas Eve with one set and Christmas Day with the other. When great-grandparents are involved, you might need to plan get-togethers for a weekend before or after Christmas. This is easier when families live close together and don’t have to deal with long-distance travel. Planning is key so that kids can experience and enjoy the holidays with their extended family.

Don’t Overindulge

Grandparents love to treat their grandkids with cookies, candy, and other sweet confections. However, it's easy to overindulge the grandkids and create a sugar overload. Kids have plenty of opportunities to enjoy treats during Christmas, so grandparents should be mindful and not push the goodies too hard.

Share Traditions

Kids love hearing stories about how their parents and grandparents spent Christmas when they were young. Grandparents can share their favorite holiday moments and experiences, teaching their grandkids about family traditions. They can also start new traditions, such as reading classic Christmas stories like The Night Before Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or teaching Christmas carols and singing them together.

Remember the True Meaning

Grandparents can reinforce the true meaning of Christmas by reminding their grandkids how wonderful it is to be together during this family-oriented holiday season, even if their family doesn’t look like others in the neighborhood.