Ways Kids Can Give Back During the Holidays
Photo by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash
As a child, I remember how much I loved opening gifts on Christmas morning. I would have a hard time falling asleep on Christmas Eve because I was too excited to wake up the next morning. I focused more on the gifts I was going to receive over anything else the Christmas holiday stood for. More than baby Jesus, more than the nativity story, more than the goodwill of community, family, and friends.
As my faith in the Lord matured, I decided for my children that the priority and focus of Christmas would not revolve solely around gifts under the tree or this attitude of over consumerism. Instead, I want to instill the hope of Jesus coming to this earth and the joy of giving through acts of service and generosity towards others. I want to teach my children what it looks like to love others in God’s kingdom and how to faithfully and obediently serve from a place of gratitude.
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:34–40, ESV
Now don’t get me wrong–gift giving is one of my love languages and I marvel at the look on my kids’ faces when they open a gift that I ever so carefully picked out for them. But I don’t want to put Christmas gifts on a pedestal. Sure, it will always hold a place for our family during Christmas, but it will not be the end all be all for our family during the holidays.
My children are still young so I have to find age appropriate opportunities for them to serve and give back in this season of life. However, as my children get older, I hope to expand the ways we give back and take on projects and volunteer opportunities for them to learn what it’s like to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
If you’re looking for ways to get your children into the spirit of giving back this Christmas season, below are eight ideas to get started.
1. Donate old toys
One of the best ways to teach generosity and sacrifice is getting your kids to let go of their toys. Some toys may be harder to part with, even if they are collecting dust, but it’s a great lesson on only keeping what you need and giving what you don’t. I know parents who like to designate a giant drawstring bag to return to the North Pole for Santa to give to other kids, which is a fun spin on giving away toys. If you’re not into Santa, you can bring your children along with you to donate toys to local shelters so they can see who may be benefiting from their toys.
2. Handmade cards for the sick & elderly
Hospitals and nursing homes can get particularly lonely this time of year. For patients that are not able to spend the holidays at home with their families, have your children create handmade greetings cards with a heartfelt message. COVID-19 has made it particularly difficult for hospital visitations, but a handwritten card is a sweet gesture that could put a smile on someone’s face.
3. “Adopt-A-Family” for Christmas
Adopt-A-Family is a nationwide program, hosted by different organizations where you can “adopt” a family or child and buy them gifts on their wish list for Christmas. Local shelters or non-profits host these gift giving drives to bless orphans, foster children, or low income families. You can get matched with a family and/or child and either drop off gift cards or wrapped gifts as a family activity to bless someone in need. Make sure to research for local organizations in your community that participate in adopt-a-family or adopt-a-child.
4. Care packages for the homeless
Winter is a brutal time for people living in the streets or even in homeless shelters. As the weather drops, there is a need for coats, socks, gloves, hats, in addition to basic necessities like toiletries. Run to the store or grab from the extra stock in your house of toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, socks, lotion, chapstick, and essentials to make care packages for the homeless. Sit down with the family and have a packing day by making an assembly line stuffing ziplock bags. You can even add an extra special touch by inserting holiday cards blessing the person who receives your package.
5. Volunteer at an animal shelter
For kids who love animals, this is the perfect project they can do while on winter break. Call up local animal hospitals or animal shelters and ask for volunteer opportunities during the holidays. Older kids or teens can help play with cats, walk dogs, clean up litter, or provide basic clerical assistance around the shelter. Not only is it fun to be around animals all day, but it’s a great opportunity to practice gentle care being a good steward to God’s creation.
6. Make blankets
This family friendly activity can bring warmth to people this Christmas season by getting fleece from your local fabric store and cutting to size. You can also follow simple YouTube tutorials to tie knots and make different designs on your blankets. Make a blanket drop at local shelters, nursing homes, or other places in need this winter. If your children know how to knit or are interested in learning, you can also knit or crochet blankets. Project Linus is a non-profit that receives and delivers blankets to families across the nation. Check their website for local chapters near you.
7. Bake cookies for first responders
Cookies in tin boxes are a fun Christmas tradition. So why not incorporate a trip down to the fire station after you’ve finished decorating cookies with your kids? First responders that work at the fire state, police station, hospitals, or even workers at the postal office are working hard to serve our communities. Kids can experience how sweet it is to say thank you with a homemade sweet treat.
8. Gifts that give back
Consider making a donation to a non profit organization that supports people across the world with practical needs. You can purchase a wide range of things like 3 baby chicks to provide eggs to a family all the way to a clean water well for an entire village. Needs range from US based needs to worldwide needs of people who are experiencing some of the harshest of times. Here’s a list of organizations that have gift catalogs during Christmas: World Vision, Compassion International, Samaritan’s Purse.
Angel Tree Network’s statistics show that 1 in 49 children in the US has a parent that is in prison. You can bless a child this Christmas who has a parent that is incarcerated by purchasing a gift for them.
Children can amaze you when you give them opportunities to serve. Watching them serve will not only expand your heart, but it will expand theirs as well as those they are blessing. I hope you find joy and reward as your kids give back during the Christmas season.
Merry Christmas!
