Guest post written by Demi Nicolle, volunteer leader in Indiana, PA.
With Christmas fast approaching, your YL team may be scrambling for some last-minute ideas before the holiday break. Here are some fun and festive suggestions, from our area to yours:
Christmas shopping
Need to grab presents for loved ones? Don’t go alone – bring your high school friends. Great opportunity to hang one-on-one and ask them about what they do for the holidays, what Christmas means to them, etc. Bonus: treat them to coffee or dinner afterwards to thank them for their assistance.
Wrapping presents
Why stop at shopping? Ask kids to come over and help you wrap your presents. Make a competition out of it.
Movie night
Rent some classic Christmas flicks such as, The Santa Clause, It’s A Wonderful Life, The Grinch, Elf, etc.) Pop some popcorn, make hot cocoa, and settle in for a good time.
Christmas-themed Campaigners
Talk about the birth of Jesus and why we celebrate Christmas today.
Christmas-themed club OR party
SO. MANY. IDEAS. Ask kids to wear an ugly sweater. Have a gingerbread house making contest. Do skits involving marshmallows, or have kids wrap each other in wrapping paper. Do a low-key gift exchange. Sing Christmas songs. Write a hilarious run on involving reindeer or elves or something. Again, talk about the birth of Jesus.
Baking
Invite kids over to bake cookies/brownies/etc. A fun and yummy way to chill in a small group setting. Bonus: your house will smell amazing.
Pay it forward
Grab one or two kids to do something nice for strangers. Maybe that’s helping out at your local soup kitchen, baking cookies for your local fire department/nursing home/police station/etc., or dropping off clothes at the Goodwill. Make Christmas cards and deliver them. Do something good for your neighborhood!
Candy cane drop-off
Bring candy canes to lunch/dismissal and pass them out to kids you don’t know.
There you have it! All easy and affordable ways to bond with kids you have relationships with, or those you don’t. Happy holidays!
