Looking for ways to make the holidays extra special? Tune in to the Morning Show with Kevin & Amy each day to hear an activity you and your family can do that bring meaning to the Christmas season!
Dec 1: For your parents or grandparents who live away from you - you can take and send a picture of you or your kids each day of December. Take pictures of something you are doing or wearing that is Christmas-themed. Say on each selfie, “Merry Christmas to the best parents/grandparents ever!”
Dec 2: For teachers - provide a gift card to her/his favorite classroom supply store. Tape the card to a piece of paper your child has decorated with school supplies such as pencils, paper clips, and chalk. Write across the top, "Thank you for making every day special. Merry Christmas!
Dec 3: For your best friend - write 10 things you love about them. Then you can design it on the computer; Microsoft Word, Canva, or Shutterfly, then print and frame it. They will cherish this forever.
Dec 4: For Sunday School teacher or small group leader - you can send a poinsettia with a note saying, "Thank you for investing in my/or my child's life."
Dec 5: For your kids featuring a nursing home near you- grab some scrap paper and together, create a paper Christmas garland. You can hang them in their room or even in a nursing home near you. You can bring a donation of socks, since their feet get cold, and finish by singing some Christmas carols. This is a memory your kids and the residents at the nursing home will always remember.
Dec 6: For a homeless shelter - something people might not think to collect for shelters are undergarments and socks in a variety of sizes. You can donate these to your local shelter. Lots of different things are donated to homeless shelters, but sometimes these important necessities, like undergarments and socks, get forgotten.
Dec 7: Try a random act of kindness - the next time you are at a restaurant, if you're able, leave an outrageously generous tip for your server with a note that says, “Jesus loves you. Merry Christmas!”
Dec 8: For your pastor - think of 5-10 things of how your pastor has made a difference in your life or how they have taught you something new, then put it into a letter. You can thank them for being a blessing in your life week after week and acknowledge their commitment to you, your church, and community. Your pastor will greatly appreciate this encouragement.
Dec 9: For a single mom or dad - help them out by taking their kids for an afternoon and evening. You can take them to the movies, bowling, or just hang out for the day. This will give that single parent the gift of time to themselves. Include a note that says, “It’s your time to enjoy a very merry Christmas.” Or you could even include a gift card.
Dec 10: From adult kids to parents - Get an old picture of you and your siblings framed, from when you were growing up, and give it with a note that says, “Thank you for being our parents.” Or better yet, make a whole collage!
Dec 11: For spouse - Get one of their favorite treats and leave it on their pillow with a note that says, “You’re my best Christmas gift, this year and every year.”
Dec 12: For siblings still living in the house - show your sister or brother how much you care about them by by making their bed for a whole week and with a happy heart!
Dec 13: For your boss - Get some Christmas colored balloons, put them in a bundle, and tie it to their desk/chair. Bonus points if you come to work early to make it a surprise. You could even add one of their favorite treats. What a great way to show how much you appreciate your boss.
Dec 14: For your neighbor - Grab some cute Christmas mugs, fill them with hot chocolate packets or hot chocolate bombs with a card that says, “You’ve been mugged! Merry Christmas from the Smiths. Jesus loves you!” and sit it on their front porch. They'll appreciate the sweet treat and knowing that you thought of them.
Dec 15: For the homeless - get your small group or Sunday School class to sponsor a coffee/hot chocolate food truck for 2 hours at a homeless shelter. You could have your small group made cards to hand out that say “Merry Christmas! Jesus loves you.”
Dec 16: For your family - build a small fire and make s’mores! This will be a great time to share your favorite Christmas memories. Provide lots of extra ingredients to make them extra special like: Reece's peanut butter cups, cookie dough, a chocolate chip cookie, or Ritz crackers for a sweet and savory snack. This will become the Christmas memory you will be talking about in the future.
Dec 17: For kids to do - buy a few copies of your kids’ favorite books, and take them to a children’s hospital. Help your kids write a note in the front of each book. If you're able, try to hand deliver them to some of the children.
Dec 18: For a friend - do you have a friend that you haven't talked to in a while? You should send them a text and make a FaceTime appointment.
Dec 19: For Christmas Eve or morning (whenever you celebrate) - attach a note to a Christmas treat for each person who will be in your home, telling them why you’re glad you get to spend Christmas with them.
Dec 20: For neighbors - Gather the family to make Christmas cookies/fudge/treats and deliver with your favorite Christmas book.
Dec 21: For single mom - Gift a monthly subscription to your local car wash to a single mother in need.
Dec 22: For an elderly person - make an appointment to visit an elderly friend or relative to look at their photos, especially if they’ve lost someone dear to them this year. Elderly people have lived long, interesting lives. They would LOVE to show some pictures and talk about it.
Dec 23: Law enforcement - make some Christmas cookies, brownies, or fudge and take it to your local police and fire stations. Write a note thanking them for their service, because some of them will be working on Christmas.
Dec 24: Random act of kindness - pay for the coffee and snack of the car behind you in the drive through, or the meal of the person in front of you at the fast-food restaurant, or the meal of the table next to you at the restaurant. Finances could be tight for some; this will give them another reason to know God loves them.
Dec 25: For family - take lots of pictures of Christmas Day, opening presents, preparing food, and some candid moments, then, make a photo book to give your family members in January.
