Christmas is quickly approaching and it’s that time of the year that can be very difficult for many. My family has been so fortunate this year. My kids quickly forget that we have an abundance compared to many. This season, I have really felt an awakening in my heart of intentionally teaching my children how to help and serve others, not just because they have to, but to have a heart for doing serving as well.
I’ve come up with a rather long list of ideas on how to teach them to serve during the holiday season.
- Wrapping presents for elderly friends. My Grandma struggles with arthritis and wrapping has always been difficult for her. Many older people have struggles similar to this and it would be a nice blessing to help them wrap their gifts.
- Take hot chocolate to the Salvation Army Bell Ringers
- Donate toys to a charity who will give them to needy children
- Gather up hats, mittens, and winter clothing for people in need
- Help neighbors put up their Christmas decorations
- Take balloons or small treats to children in the hospital. (I was in the hospital several times as a child, usually around the holidays, and it was such a treat when people remember you!) These treats could include fun socks, art supplies, fun things from the dollar section of your favorite store, or even a card game.
- Write letters Compassion International Children
- Send letters to missionaries over seas
- Send letters to service men and women thanking them for their sacrifices
- Pack Operation Christmas Child boxes
- Collect food for the food pantry
- Deliver a Christmas meal to a family who is struggling
- Play secret Santa to a family who is struggling
- Donate items to the homeless shelter, a local woman’s shelter, or children’s home
- Donate to Samaritan’s Purse
- Take a tray of cookies to local firemen or police officers
- Leave a treat for your mail person
- Work as a family for a charity serving a Christmas meal
- Invite someone to your family Christmas and church celebration who may not have family close or someone else to celebrate with
- Pray for a specific family every night at dinner
How does your family serve during the holidays? I would love to hear your recommendations!
I love this list and am so pinning. I’d also love for you to share this post with my readers next week at Titus 2 Tuesday on Cornerstone Confessions.. I hope to see you there.
Kathy
Thanks! I’d love to! 🙂
I love this post. I love that you put some great ideas on here that are not to expensive. We are a lower income family and sometimes its hard to think of service ideas that are not only free/lower cost and easy to do when you have small children. Wonderful ideas, thanks for posting.
Oh Christa, you blessed my heart! Thank you for stopping over at the blog! Keep visiting, this is a topic near and dear to my heart. I will be visiting it several times this coming year!
Serving is a reminder of selflessness. Use it as a way to know Christ better.
Thanks for the link to your article.
Great suggestions!
Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions.
Our pastor spoke about serving at church yesterday. Our church is community -oriented “Serving people toward and anchoring people to Jesus”. I love this list of suggestions! We love giving to Samaritan’s Purse and my five year old chose something for this year. Serving doesn’t have to cost a lot. Our intent is what is important and serving is a great tool to win others to Christ (after establishing a relationship with them).
Those are wonderful idea… which can easily be turned into traditions for the kids. Many of these I’ll have to start with my own kids, thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing with Adorned From Above’s Link Party. We love having your join the fun.
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
This is a well thought out list. It is so important to teach our children to serve.I think my 12 year old has forgotten how Blessed financially we are as well. This year we we’re fortunate enough to be able to participate in a community git giving project and to donate food to our church the drive. Next year I hope to be able to pick two children from the community Gift Giving Program to help. I’m also looking for a way to get my grand children involved in giving as well. I’m thinking one of their gifts will be a donation to a charity in their names next year.
I love this! We don’t have kids yet but this is definitely what we will be doing with them.