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Here is a list of 20 Ways that You and Your Children Can Serve Others this Christmas Season.
1. Attend (or organize) a carol sing at a nursing home. I guarantee your children will put a smile on the residents' faces.
2. Bake and deliver cookies to people in your neighbourhood.
3. Offer to host play dates so parents can go shopping without the kids (the bonus here is that your kids have someone to play with and you can maybe get some laundry done. Or sit around and check Facebook on your phone. Whichever.)
4. Shovel an elderly neighbour's driveway.
5. Deliver hot chocolate to police that are outside directing traffic on busy shopping days.
6. Donate clothes and toys to a women's shelter (this would be a good place to bring all of the things you chose to get rid of during your Annual Christmas Clean Out).
7. Bring extra hot chocolate to the skating rink and share with strangers!
8. Offer to help bring groceries to shopper's cars.
9. Volunteer to man one of the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles (with your adorable kids there, imagine how much more money will be donated!).
10. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen (this is dependent on the age of your children and the soup kitchen's regulations. Call and check.)
11. Make cards for people who aren't able to get out much due to the weather.
12. Invite people that you know don't have family nearby over for supper.
13. Leave a card and gift in your mailbox for your mail carrier.
14. Volunteer to help pack Christmas hampers (boxes packed with everything a family needs to have a Christmas dinner as well as gifts for the Children) at your local Salvation Army.
15. Pay the bill for the car behind you in the drive thru.
16. Go Christmas carolling in your community.
17. Donate blankets and towels to your local animal shelter.
18. Send letters or care packages to soldiers serving over seas.
19. Take home made soup to a sick friend or relative.
20. Write and mail (not email!!) letters to loved ones telling them your favourite memory of them from this year.
There are only twenty ideas here and there are 25 days in the advent season...I think it would be so fun to come up with 5 more and challenge yourselves to do one each day.
What other ways do you and your children serve others?
As an aside...if you're looking for volunteer opportunities and don't know where to find some, contact your local Salvation Army corps. They do a ton of community service work this season (and all year around) and I am sure they can find something suitable for you!
For more minimalist Christmas traditions, click the photo below!
