Spreading Christmas Joy

Holidays can be a time where we get wrapped up in getting people presents, holiday parties, and are to do lists. To make the season more meaningful, try sharing some Christmas love this season. Here are some ideas on how to do that:

• Christmas Cards: Let someone know you care and are thinking about them.
• Visit a Nursing Home: Call a local nursing home to see if you can stop by with a group of friends and/or your family members to visit with the nursing home residents and/or sing Christmas Carols. Most nursing homes are eager for people to drop by.
• Visit Facilities for the Mentally Disabled: Sometimes people with MRDD can be forgotten over the holidays. Call ahead and see if you can arrange a visit to carol or read a Christmas Story (children's book) to residents.
• Donate to the Local Food Bank
• Help feed the homeless through a homeless shelter
• Deliver Christmas Cookies to Friends, Neighbors and Co-workers
• Donate to Toys to a Children's Hospital: The local children's hospital may be accepting toys to hand out to their patients. Check out their website for rules and how to help contribute.
• Surprise Christmas: If you have extra money for the holidays, purchase Christmas dinner items and presents for a family in need and drop it anonymously on their doorstep or have it delivered to them. I usually ask my church's leaders, but there are also non-profit family organizations that are trying to provide for members in the community (and local school principals might have an idea too).
• 12 Days of Christmas: Provide a treat or Christmas gift anonymously on a neighbor's/friend's doorstep for the twelve days of Christmas.
• Christmas Carolling: Gather friends and neighbors to go Christmas Caroling to spread holiday and Christmas joy.
• Donate items to a local women's shelter.

Here's a couple of you tube clips/videos to help inspire you: