Load Christmas stockings for homeless people. Buy a few Christmas stockings, and pick out practical and fun items to stuff in them. Some ideas include gift cards to local grocery store, blankets, water bottles, toothpaste, lip balm and warm gloves or socks. Coordinate with the local homeless shelter. Watch this video to get ideas.
Help a student. Your local school is aware of students who could use a little help and encouragement, especially during the Christmas season. Adopt an individual that could use a little "happy" during this Christmas season.
Give a gift for our "unsung heroes." The teacher, mail carrier, garbage collector, librarian, military servicemen and women, your favorite store clerk... a lot of times we forget the people who are serving us every day! A simple "Thank you" or "hug" can make a huge impression. Do something to show that you recognize and appreciate their hard work.
Random acts of kindness. Some of the best moments of service aren’t planned. Here are some ideas for random acts of kindness:
• Leave groceries on someone’s doorstep
• Adopt a secret neighbor to serve or give gifts anonymously
• Rake a neighbor’s leaves
• Buy coffee for the person behind you in line
• Pay for a stranger’s dinner at a restaurant
• Leave a goodie basket on someone’s door
• Leave a kind note
• Slip a $5 bill in a coat pocket
Bring the holidays to a nursing home. Grab a group of your friends and call ahead to schedule your visit. Take cards and decorations to brighten up nursing home rooms, play an instrument or sing a few carols for the residents.
Adopt a family. Many local organizations and religious groups can help you sponsor a family in your area to shop for over the holiday season. Experience the true joy of giving!
Deliver some HOT homemade cookies to people who work on Christmas. Police stations, fire stations, hospitals and even retail stores are full of busy workers on holidays.
Volunteer or donate to a food bank. Pick up a few extra items at the grocery store for a local ministry or food bank or call and offer your time. They’re always in need of extra food and help around the holidays.
Ring Bells for the Salvation Army. Did you know that you can visit RingBells.org and pick a time and location to volunteer to be a bell ringer? Christmas shopping just wouldn’t be the same without the volunteers who ring the bells.
Sponsor a Child. Programs like Child Fund, Save the Children, and Compassion International allow you to sponsor children in need through a monthly donation.
Serve food at homeless shelter. Helping those who are hungry is a great way to give back using your time and talents.
Send Cards to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. What a blessing this is for those families who are battling childhood illness! Send some cards to the St. Jude patients. You will be a bright spot in their day.
Create 12 Days of Christmas for the elderly, widows, or needy families. Drop a small gift off at their door every night for 12 days leading up to Christmas. See if this doesn’t make you feel the “True Spirit of Christmas.”
Prepare a meal and take it to an elderly friend or neighbor. You can use this free “From Our Kitchen to Yours” printable for reheating instructions.
Pray. We may not normally think of prayer as service. It doesn’t cost anything, but it makes a huge impact. Commit to praying for a different family member or neighbor each night before bed from now until Christmas.
With thousands of visitors each year, the Tinsel Trail is one of Huntsville’s most anticipated Christmas season events. The glittering trees, festive music, and warm hot chocolate can put any Grinch into the holiday spirit. This year, there will be a new addition to the Tinsel Trail- Candlelight Christmas Eve services. Together, First Baptist Huntsville and Blue Springs Baptist will... Continued
As the familiar song goes, the Christmas season is “the most wonderful time of the year.” It can also be one of the busiest, and a time when it’s all too easy to get caught up in the shopping, the traffic, the parties. The frenzy often leaves us feeling less than… well… wonderful. But this season can be different. Christmas... Continued
A couple of years ago, Dr. Joseph Hicks and his wife, Cathy, were walking through Tinsel Trail just before Christmas, with a young girl Cathy had been tutoring. The couple asked the girl if she knew the story behind why we celebrate Christmas. The girl didn’t, so Hicks looked around for something he could use as an illustration. He saw... Continued
