Have you ever given your primary children a Christmas gift? I’m here to make it easy for you with an adorable Jingle Bells Symbol of Christmas gift idea and printable tag! Plus, a Symbols of Christmas singing time activity that’s super easy to use and ready for you below!
You can but a set of jingle bell bracelets or make them homemade (link to tutorial below!) and then just assemble and toss in some candy if you’d like into a clear cellphone baggie or mini gift bag.
Symbols of Christmas
Easy Singing Time Activity
Don’t you love it when just all the pieces come together perfectly? I have had creating a symbols of Christmas activity on my mind for a few weeks. And this weekend, everything just came together! I’m so thankful for tender mercies.
I happened to stumble across a cute lesson plan in this month’s copy of the Friend magazine on the different Symbols of Christmas. You’ll use different props and sprinkle in some songs.
I loved this activity and it’s perfect to adapt to singing time, with a little adjustment, plus tie in bells and gifts with a take home gift for the children so they can share what they learned and take home a Christmas gift!
Note: Specific songs are sprinkled throughout, but you can instead substitute in whatever Christmas song you’re currently teaching and sing it after each symbol you share!
Christmas Symbols Intro:
Did you know that our different holiday traditions and decorations have special meaning? We’re going to walk through 7 symbols of Christmas! Let’s start with singing a Christmas carol, one of my family’s favorite traditions!
Sing – Once Within a Lowly Stable
Christmas Tree:
The evergreen color of pine trees never fades, it stays green all year long. It reminds us of the promise that Jesus has given us the gift of eternal life.
Bring in a mini Christmas tree or have a child draw one on the whiteboard.
Sing – The Nativity Song
Holiday Red:
Red helps us remember the Savior’s atonement and the blood he shed for us.
Add a red ribbon bow to the tree, let a child color a red ribbon around the tree, or pass out red dance scarves to wave while you sing the next song!
Sing – When Joseph Went to Bethlehem
The Star:
*I purposely switched the order of Star and Candy Canes to spread out the manipulatives from being used back to back.
None of us can forget the star in the sky that told of Christ’s birth in the manger! Just like the Wise Men followed the star, we can follow the Savior’s example.
Bring in a Christmas tree star topper, a candle, or Christmas lights and turn it on to add the symbol of His light! You could alternatively add a star to your whiteboard Christmas tree scene.
You can also simply pass out and use finger lights while singing the next song and draw a star while you sing.
Sing – Stars Were Gleaming (Consider using finger lights!)
Candy Canes:
The candy cane reminds us of the shepherd’s hook. They were the first to arrive to see Jesus and he is the Good Shepherd and will go after each of us if we are lost.
Bring in a large candy cane and let a child lead the music with a candy cane! Or include a mini candy cane in your gift bag for the kids! You can also color in candy canes to hang from the branches of the tree.
Sing – The Shepherd’s Carol
Bells:
A bell is rung to share good news with the world! They remind us of the BEST news – that Christ was born and died for us.
Bring in handbells, jingle bell bracelets, or one big decorative working bell. Consider using your bells of choice while singing the song! You can use the jingle bells from their gift bags if that works best.
Sing – Christmas Bells (Can pair with this Christmas Bells Handbell Chart printable)
Gifts:
Just like the Wise Men brought gifts to the newborn babe Jesus, we give gifts to each other at Christmas time. I’ve brought in a little gift for each of you to help you remember that there are reminders of Christ throughout all of your Christmas festivities. Don’t forget to look for Him this season and remember Him!
Pass out the Christmas gifts, if you’ve decided to prepare one, or bring in a empty wrapped package to place under your tree.
Sing – Away in a Manger
Closing:
Share your testimony of the true reason for the season or this sweet quote by President Monson if you’re not sure what words to use.
“As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always.”
President Thomas S. Monson, “In the Search of the Christmas Spirit”
Sing – If you have time, you can add one more favorite Christmas song such as Picture a Christmas, Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus, or the song you’re currently working to learn.
Extra Christmas Symbols to Consider:
If you need to fill additional time or simply want to swap out any of the symbols above, here are some alternates to consider from this list of 10 Symbols of Christmas on LDS.org
Holly: Represents the crown of thorns He wore.
Wreath: The unbroken symbol represents His eternal love.
Stockings: Remind us of service, and His example of serving others.
Poinsettias: Represents new life, the star, and the color red (blood of Christ) all in one!
More Ways to Use the
Christmas Symbols for Singing Time
Poster Symbols: Draw extra large symbols on a big poster board! I fit two per poster board and then cut them out!
Your Christmas Song: Instead of the themed songs, sing whatever Christmas song you are teaching the kids! Just sing the same song after each of the symbols. You can make a connection to the song, or not, either way will work great.
Draw the Scene: Add each element to the whiteboard as you talk about each creating a whole familiar Christmas scene!
Christmas Visitors: Have a different guest come in to introduce each of the symbols. Limit them to no more than 1 minute!! This will reminisce on the Ghosts of Christmas Past and let you involve lots of other members of the ward in a fun way.
Head over to this post to see How to Make Jingle Bell Bracelets with a step-by-step tutorial and links for how to use them in singing time.
Symbols of Christmas Lesson &
Jingle Bells Printable Gift Tag
This printable includes a 1-page guide to using the symbols of Christmas in singing time! It’s easy to print and then follow along while leading your activity.
I’ve also included 2 printable gift tags one with some ideas for using the bells:
- Hang your Jingle Bells Bracelet on the Tree
- Ring out the Bells on Christmas Morning
- Use your Bells with your Favorite Songs
Get more out of singing time with the INSTANT Primary Singing membership that includes printable lesson plans, tons of extended printables and an ad-free experience for each featured song of the month, or get immediate access to the entire song list for the year!
Learn more about INSTANT Primary Singing membership options here!
Have questions or need more help, see this FAQ page here.
For another fun Christmas themed singing time idea, see our Christmas Spot It game! You can even incorporate this game in with the Symbols of Christmas lesson plan! Have them find pairs and then talk about the matching symbol after each pair!
What other fun ways could you use the symbols of Christmas in Primary?
