2025 Faculty Christmas Gift Guide
Welcome to our 2025 Faculty Christmas Gift Guide!
What a joy it is to share in the formation of the children of our school! As we consider how to best serve parents, our staff and School Board frequently discuss the pressure parents and teachers feel to provide and utilize personal devices and educational technology for the benefit of the young people in our lives.
We've recently read this article, The Devil's Plan to Ruin the Next Generation, by Jonathan Haidt. Haidt writes tirelessly for parents and educators about the serious impact technology use has on the mental health, attention span, neurological development, and safety of the children we care about so deeply.
We invite you to take the time to read this article and then consider a device free Christmas - both in terms of your time and your gift giving. We too will join you in committing to time away from screens - delighting in interesting and creative endeavors with the people we love.
Enjoy these thoughtful and engaging suggestions from our faculty! We'd love to learn your favorite gift ideas too.
Family Experiences & Activities
Grab a family pass for any of our local attractions: Frederik Meijer Gardens, John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids Public Museum, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum and have fun all year long. Trips to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village will also delight - just ask our Upper School students who visited last spring.
Christmas break might be the perfect time to visit one of our Joy of Beauty art objects in person with a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts or The Art Institute of Chicago. There is nothing like contemplating an original work of art.
Keeping something alive is good work, and plants are a safe place to start. Make a trip to Horrocks Market or Flower Land and peruse the assortment of indoor plant options then have your child ensure it is fed and watered! A fun planter never hurt either.
How about family cooking? Put your picky or adventurous eater in charge of a meal each week. These books for young chefs and bakers from America's Test Kitchen offer clear instructions that help build kitchen skills and decent food.
Knitting can keep your kiddo busy while allowing them to create a gift for another loved one. You can buy kits like this, or just ask Mrs. Roberts to teach you.
Is your Upper School student looking for a unique article of clothing, craft supplies, or new bedroom decor. Spend a Saturday morning at local thrift shops to discover treasures in need of a new home. Many of the faculty would love to share their favorite spots for priceless and fun finds.
Outdoor Fun in the Summer
A gift certificate for a week at Camp Concordia is sure to make your outdoor loving child excited for the days of summer. Check out the 2026 Summer Schedule here.
Elevate a picnic spot or campsite with this double hammock, perfect for hammock read-alouds or summer naps.
This beginner Slackline Kit provides a good mind/body challenge.
While we wait for summer, enjoy the The Campground Kids: National Park Camping Adventures books.
Games, Puzzles, Books, and More
Games and puzzles provide a great opportunity for family bonding and cognitive development. Here are some faculty favorites!
Board Games
The Swem family suggests playing rounds of Blink when you don't have time for a game - while waiting for dinner to finish or for quick games to involve different pairs of people.
A game for all ages sure to delight little people who love shapes, colors, and counting is Quirkle.
Chess is a lifelong pursuit and guides for kids make learning easy for moms and dads too! Have you tried Backgammon?
Other staff favorites include:
All the versions of Ticket to Ride
Card Games
Mr. Roberts suggests Exploding Kittens and Cover Your Assets. Ms. Habrecht enjoys an evening of Kings in the Corner or Double Solitaire.
Puzzles
Puzzles are fun for the whole family and benefit cognitive development! Springbok Puzzle Company has dozens of themes to chose from or check out the variety of options in person at Schuler Books. Puzzle tables keep your pieces in order while you work. Ask the Roberts family how many puzzles they put together in 2025!
Mrs. Fleming and Miss Tausz recommend large floor puzzles for their students. Lakeshore Learning has a great selection sure to meet the interests of any child. This Names of Jesus puzzle is ideal for even younger children!
If you and your child like puzzles of another kind, this collection of Difficult Riddles for Smart Kids will be a great addition to your bookshelf.
Books
Ia is your family loving our book of the year, Voyage of the Dawn Treader? Do you own a complete set of The Chronicles of Narnia? Many boxed sets are available. Narnia loving children will also enjoy this coloring book or a sticker set for their favorite water bottle or notebook.
Lullaby and Folk Song Picture Books bring joy to family time with little ones. Pick from these many titles, but some fan favorites are Over the Meadow, Kitty Alone, Momma Buy Me a China Doll, and My Aunt Came Back.
This National Parks Mystery Series is sure to please adventure seekers. You can even download a chapter from books 1-5.
Is your child interested in keeping a journal but not more than a sentence or two. Thought-a-day journals are a quick way to build a habit of remembering the beautiful parts of everyday life. This is a fantastic practice for children and adults alike.
And More
Your child probably doesn't need another stuffed animal, BUT, do they have any really nice puppets? Nothing spurs on imagination like a talking dolphin or the conversations overheard among farm animals.
Create Your Own Reel Viewer with pictures from Christmas celebrations, vacations, and everyday moments. If you'd like to print instant photos, hand this camera over to your family photographer to capture all your special family moments.
The Ultimate Guide to Domino Toppling and a box of dominos will keep any child or adult busy for hours.
Christmas and Winter Activities
Take time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season with one of these activities or check out what Experience Grand Rapids suggests.
Through January 4, find a time to see the Meijer Gardens Train and Christmas Trees Display If you're looking to add to the festivities, Ms. Habrecht highly recommends the mile stroll through the gardens viewing the outdoor winter light show as well!
Find time for holiday baking with the whole family. The Swem brothers love using this Spritz Cookie Maker and delighting in the mechanical aspect of making these delicious and beautiful cookies!
While in the kitchen consider trying one of the liturgical year recipes from All the Household.
Tickets are still available on December 19-21 for The Nutcracker with the Grand Rapids Ballet. The live orchestra and beloved story are sure to delight young and old.
If you need a last minute idea that requires no planning, hop in the car with the family to view the Christmas lights around town while listening to one of the many recordings of Lessons and Carols available on various streaming services. You might hear some of the selections students are preparing for Wednesday's service.
Once the Christmas lights are down, plan a weekend drive to the beach where you can observe and walk by the frozen lake. Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids is a favorite location to spot ice fishing shanties. Be sure to pick up a hot chocolate to warm up after your visit!