Some of these activities may not be safe due to COVID-19. Please use your best judgement.
1. “Jingle” People
Once again we will be working on some good deeds for friends and family members and leaving THIS NOTE that they’ve been “Jingled”. My kids love leaving some treats on the doorstep of the people we care about without them knowing. It is hard to be stealth and last year all but one of the recipients ended up finding out it was us. This year the kids are working on ways to be sneakier!
2. Kindness Calendar
This FREE Kindness Calendar from Action for Happiness gives you a daily suggestion for how to spread Kindness in December. My kids and I have used this for the last two years as inspiration for good deeds to do throughout the holiday season. We do NOT do every task, December is too busy for that. We merely read the prompt for the day and if it something that we can easily accomplish in the next few days, we will do so. This calendar is meant to be fun and not cause extra stress!
3. Donate Food and Hygiene Items
Food banks and shelters depend on people’s generosity at this time of year and hope for lots of donations to fill their shelves. Make sure all of the food that you donate is non-perishable and has not expired. They are always in need of hygiene items too (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine products, diapers, toothpaste etc.) . This Reverse Advent Calendar from Passionate Penny Pincher is a hands-on way for kids to be mindful about donating food this holiday season. Kids in Service has created a Solstice Giving and an 8 Days of Giving calendar to encourage EVERYONE to participate in this important project. Check them out HERE.
4. Feast for the Animals
One of our favorite traditions this time of year is to decorate an outdoor tree with edible treats for the birds, squirrels, deer and chipmunks that live in and around our backyard. We usually do this on Winter Solstice and read the book Night Tree by Eve Bunting before we head out to decorate. Some years we have taken a lot of time with this project and made our own suet and bird seed ornaments. Other years we buy suet, sunflower seeds and hang an extra bird feeder. This is also a great opportunity to clean out your vegetable drawer. Bring out old carrots, celery and other greens for the animals to enjoy.
5. Make Holiday Cards for those in Need
Grab the paper, markers and other art supplies for this family project. Work together as a family to make holiday cards that you can pass on to people who need a little bit of cheer and encouragement this season. Do you know someone who lost a loved one or someone who is battling an illness? I am sure they would appreciate a homemade card from your family. Send the cards to the local soup kitchen or homeless shelter to be passed out to their guests. Cheer up seniors at the nursing home or a send the cards to Meals on Wheels.
6. Spread Seeds of Kindness–Holiday Edition
This has to be our family’s FAVORITE way to spread kindness during the holidays (and all year long) and it is soooo EASY. We go out and buy a bunch of $1 scratch tickets or $5 gift cards (for coffee shops or fast food restaurants) and hand then out throughout the holiday season. Was the cashier extra friendly at checkout? Hand them a gift card and say “Happy Holidays and thanks for being YOU!” You can spread seeds of kindness to the person working at the tollbooth (we still have people who work the tolls in New England), the person who works at your transfer station, your dry cleaner, the mom who looks stressed in the store, a homeless person…anybody is game for a little kindness this holiday. A nice touch is wrapping the gift card or scratch tickets in a drawing from your children. Click HERE for more information about Seeds of Kindness.
7. Donate Toys and Gifts
There are lots of worthy charities that will accept brand new toy and gift donations at this time of year. Our library has a giving tree where you can take a mitten off the tree and buy a present for a boy or girl in need. Contact your local school nurse or guidance counselor to see if there is a family who needs help during the holidays. Contact the local Foster Child Agency and see if they are in need of toys for the children they serve.
8. Volunteer Time
Do you have some free time this month to volunteer? Our family likes to spend one Saturday morning in December volunteering in the Food Bank. We dress in festive clothing, sing carols on our way and go out to breakfast when we are all finished. It is a nice tradition that we look forward to each year. If you have time to volunteer, contact your local food bank, pet shelter, hospice house, soup kitchen, nursing home or homeless shelter to see if they are looking for volunteers this season. The Salvation Army is always in need of volunteers for their Red Kettle drive during November and December. Many places will accept the help of younger children (ages 5 and up) if there is an adult present.
9. Go Caroling at a Nursing Home
Make some simple song books (most holiday lyrics can be found on the internet), gather together some family and friends and schedule a time to visit your local nursing home. Dress in festive clothing and wander the halls singing carols for all to hear. Perhaps you might bring along some holiday cards or homemade ornaments to pass out to the seniors as you wander. This activity will be one that you will always remember.
10. Start a Christmas Jar
Click HERE to learn more about this special holiday tradition!
11. Hanukkah Kindness
Click HERE to check out our post to learn all about the festival of Hanukkah and check out our suggestions for kindness during the festival of lights.
12. Kwanzaa Kindness
Click HERE to check out our post all about Kwanzaa and the 7 pillars of the celebration (one for each night). We have project ideas for each of the pillars as well as our favorite books and resources to share.
Kids in Service 