Kids' Christmas Cheer: Ways To Help And Bring Joy

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving, but it's important to remember that not everyone is fortunate enough to receive gifts during the holiday season. Here are some ways that kids can help spread cheer and make a difference in their communities:

- Baking cookies and delivering them to neighbours, local heroes such as firefighters, police officers, or hospital employees, or even leaving a treat for the mail carrier.

- Making their own gifts, such as colouring pages or baked goods, to share with others.

- Participating in Christmas caroling at a nursing home or other community spaces like hospitals or hospices.

- Adopting a family in need and purchasing gifts for them, which can be organised through charities like Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, or the Salvation Army.

- Packing a shoebox full of gifts and small toys for children in need through Operation Christmas Child.

- Donating clothing, toys, or non-perishable food items to local shelters or food banks.

- Sending Christmas cards and care packages to military personnel serving overseas.

- Visiting and spending time with elderly relatives, neighbours, or residents at senior living facilities.

Bake cookies and deliver them to neighbours, a local fire station, police station, or hospital

Baking cookies and delivering them to neighbours, a local fire station, police station, or hospital is a great way to get kids involved in helping others at Christmas. Here are some tips to make this a fun and meaningful experience:

Planning and Preparation:

• Involve your kids in the entire process, from planning to delivery.
• Discuss as a family why you want to do this, and how it will bring joy to others.
• Brainstorm ideas for the types of cookies to bake, and decide on a few different varieties to suit different tastes.
• Make a shopping list and go shopping together for the ingredients.
• Set a date for baking and delivering the cookies, and involve your kids in any necessary preparations, such as making gift cards to go with the cookies.

Baking:

• Set up a baking station with all the ingredients and equipment needed.
• Let the kids weigh out the ingredients, mix the dough, and shape the cookies.
• Encourage creativity by providing different coloured icing, sprinkles, and other decorations for the cookies.
• Bake the cookies in batches, and let them cool before packaging.

Packaging and Delivery:

• Package the cookies in festive tins, boxes, or bags. You can also involve your kids in making decorative packaging.
• Attach gift cards or notes to each package, with a simple message like "Wishing you a joyful Christmas!"
• Plan your delivery route, and decide on the order of deliveries.
• If delivering to a local fire station, police station, or hospital, call ahead to let them know of your plans and to find a suitable time for the delivery.
• Deliver the cookies with your kids, and let them experience the joy of giving first-hand.

Reflection:

• After the deliveries, take some time to reflect on the experience as a family.
• Ask your kids how they felt about baking and delivering the cookies.
• Discuss the impact that these cookies might have on the recipients, and how this act of kindness contributes to the spirit of Christmas.

By involving your kids in baking and delivering cookies, you are teaching them about generosity, empathy, and the true meaning of Christmas. This will create lasting memories and foster a sense of community and giving during the festive season.

Make Christmas cards for military personnel overseas

Making Christmas cards for military personnel overseas is a great way to teach children about the importance of giving and spreading cheer. It's a simple yet meaningful gesture that can bring joy to those who may be far away from their loved ones during the holiday season. Here are some detailed instructions to make this activity a success:

Planning and Preparation:

• Start by explaining to your children the impact of their cards. Help them understand that military personnel serving overseas may not be able to celebrate the holidays with their families and friends. Emphasize how their cards will bring a smile to someone's face and let them know they are appreciated.
• Gather the necessary art supplies. This can include construction paper, markers, crayons, glitter, stickers, and any other creative materials your children might enjoy using.
• Set aside an afternoon or evening for card-making. You can make it a family event, playing festive music in the background and enjoying some holiday treats while you work.

Creating the Cards:

• Encourage your children to personalize the cards. They can write heartfelt messages, include drawings, or add decorations to make each card unique.
• If your children are old enough, have them write a brief note expressing their gratitude for the recipient's service and sacrifice. They can share a little about themselves, their hobbies, and their favourite things about the holiday season.
• For younger children, you can write the messages on their behalf or have them dictate what they would like to say.
• Some organizations may have specific guidelines for what can and cannot be included in the cards, so be sure to review those before starting.

Sending the Cards:

• Find a reputable organization that facilitates sending cards to military personnel overseas. They will provide you with the necessary information and guidelines for your cards.
• Address the cards as specified by the organization. Some may allow you to address them generally (e.g., "Dear Service Member"), while others may provide specific names and addresses.
• Include a return address so that the recipients can write back if they wish. This also ensures that your cards are going to the intended recipients.
• Drop off or mail the cards to the organization by their specified deadline. They will handle the rest of the delivery process.

Going the Extra Mile:

• Consider including small gifts or care package items along with the cards. Useful items such as socks, non-perishable snacks, hygiene products, or entertainment like books or magazines can be greatly appreciated by those serving overseas.
• If possible, involve your children in selecting and packing these additional items. It adds another layer of thoughtfulness to their gesture.
• Encourage your children to think about the recipients and what might bring them comfort or joy during the holidays. This helps foster empathy and a sense of connection.

Remember, the most important aspect of this activity is to teach your children about giving and spreading cheer. It's a wonderful way to involve the whole family in the spirit of the season and create meaningful connections with those who serve our countries.

Donate gifts to children in need

Donating gifts to children in need is a wonderful way to teach kids about the importance of giving and spreading joy during the festive season. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Choose a Child through a Charity

Contact local charities such as Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, or The Salvation Army, or visit websites like volunteermatch.org to find a child or family in need. These organizations often provide information about the child's age, gender, and any specific gift requests. You can also look into programs like Angel Tree, which delivers gifts to children with parents in prison, or Toys for Tots, which collects new toys for distribution in the community.

Brainstorm Gift Ideas

Once you know the specifics of the child or family, brainstorm gift ideas with your kids. This could be anything from small toys, books, or school supplies to clothing or other necessary items. If you're crafty, you could even make gifts together, like baking cookies or colouring pictures to frame.

Shop and Wrap Gifts

Take your kids shopping to pick out gifts for the children in need. This will help them understand the impact of their generosity and allow them to experience the joy of giving. Then, wrap the gifts together and attach recipient names to each package.

Deliver the Gifts

After the gifts are ready, drop them off at the designated location or, if possible, deliver them personally. Some organizations even host Christmas parties where you can bring the gifts and meet the children and their families. This adds a special touch and lets your kids see the happiness their donations bring.

Don't Forget Year-Round Giving

While the holidays are a popular time for giving, remember that there are children in need all year round. Consider adopting a family or sponsoring a child long-term through organizations like the Box Project or Family to Family. This will teach your kids about sustained generosity and the importance of helping others whenever possible.

Donate old coats to a local shelter

Donating old coats to a local shelter is a fantastic way to help others during the festive season and get children involved in charitable activities. Here are some detailed suggestions on how to do this:

Firstly, talk to your children about the importance of giving and explain that not everyone can afford warm clothing during the cold winter months. Emphasise how their kind actions can make a big difference in the lives of those less fortunate. This is a great opportunity to teach them about compassion and empathy.

Next, involve your children in the process of selecting and collecting the coats to donate. Go through your family's wardrobe together and have them pick out coats that are still in good condition but no longer used. Explain that these coats can now benefit someone else who needs them. This activity will help your children develop a sense of generosity and the value of sharing.

Once you have gathered the coats, find a local shelter in your community that accepts coat donations. You can search online or contact charities and organisations such as Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, or The Salvation Army to find out about their specific needs and drop-off locations. Involve your children in this process as well, so they understand the logistics of donating items.

When you are ready, take your children with you to deliver the coats to the shelter. This will make the experience even more meaningful for them as they see the direct impact of their actions. It will also help them develop social awareness and a sense of community contribution.

Finally, reflect on the experience with your children. Talk about how it felt to help others and how their donations can make a difference in the lives of those spending the holidays in a shelter. Ask them how they think the recipients might feel when they receive the coats. This reflection will reinforce the significance of their actions and encourage a lasting habit of giving.

Host a Christmas party for a local hospital, school, or charity

Hosting a Christmas party for a local hospital, school, or charity is a fantastic way to get kids involved in giving back to the community and spreading festive cheer. Here are some tips to make it a success:

Planning

First, get in touch with the hospital, school, or charity of your choice and coordinate a date, time, and location that works for everyone. It's important to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to prepare. Discuss with the organization what kind of party they would like and any specific requirements they may have. For example, a hospital party may need to be held in a specific area, or a school party might need to follow certain guidelines.

Involving the Kids

Get your kids involved in the planning process! Ask them to help choose the menu items and let them assist in preparing the food. They can also have fun decorating the party space and making invitations if needed. This will teach them about the importance of giving back and will give them a sense of ownership over the project.

Budgeting

Hosting a party can be more costly than some other options, so be sure to plan your budget in advance. If this isn't feasible for you this year, you could start a Christmas Party Fund and contribute to it throughout the year, so you're ready to host a party next year!

Alternative Ideas

If hosting a party seems too daunting or expensive, there are alternative ways to spread cheer. Baking cookies with your kids and delivering them to a local organization is a great, low-cost option. You could also get involved in broader initiatives, such as Operation Christmas Child, where you pack a shoebox with small gifts and school supplies for a child in need overseas.

Benefits

By hosting a Christmas party, you'll not only bring joy to those attending, but you'll also teach your kids valuable lessons about compassion and community service. It will be a memorable experience for your family and those you're helping.

Frequently asked questions