Are you looking for a way to engage your family in serving others this Christmas season?
We like to take the focus off of the “gimmes” and put it back on the giving of Christmas. What do we do?
We decorate brown paper sacks and then fill them with holiday goodies.
These don’t go out to just anyone. They go out to those poor souls who work Christmas day. The gas station attendants always get one. The look of surprise on their faces when we don’t ask for gas but instead bless them with a little treat, 100% priceless. The cashier at the grocery store or mini mart. Law Enforcement. 911 Dispatchers. The list goes on.
Our kids love doing this. They instantly see results because of the smiles and thank you’s they receive – that’s not what it’s about of course! But they fight over who gets to give.
We pulled into the gas station one evening and the older man working came to our window and we told him we didn’t want gas, but instead had a little gift for him. He teared up and said, “No way, man! No way!”
It doesn’t have to be expensive. You really never know whose heart will be touched. Put the focus of the Christmas season back to giving and Christ.
Where To Deliver:
- Gas Stations
- Fast Food Restaurants
- Police Station – Don’t forget the 911 dispatchers
- Fire station
- Nursing homes – might need to call ahead and get an okay
- Grocery Store Clerks
- The Hospital -Don’t forget the EMTs
- Mini Marts
Ideas for Bag Contents:
- Candy Canes
- Christmas candies
- Cookies
- Bible Track
- Small bible
- Hand warmers
- Gloves
- Socks
- Tangerine or other fruit
- Cinnamon Roll
- Gift Card
- Fast Food meal
- Thank you for your service card
- Handmade ornaments
- Lotion
- Hot chocolate packets
- Teas
- Jamberry Nail Wraps – You can cut the wraps down to just a couple for accents to reduce cost. *I am an Independent Jamberry Consultant
Do you need Christmas gift ideas? I’ve got you covered, check out my shop.
Check out my easy tradition for Thanksgiving!
Are you going to start a tradition like this? *Several of you have told me you are starting this on other holidays like Thanksgiving as well. AWESOME!
Blessings,
Suggested Gift Ideas:
Wraps fit perfectly inside a greeting card!
*This post contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my family in this way.
Super sweet idea! gonna try it this Christmas.
This is a fantastic idea! Thank you so much for sharing it. This is a tradition we can easily do! Your kids are adorable too 🙂
Aww.. they are so lovely. It’s really a nice way to do with your kids.
how sweet love the idea ! thank you for sharing …. merry christmas to you and your family <3
Oh, I LOVE this idea!!! So thoughtful. My kids are in the mid to late teen years, but they might even enjoy helping me do this. What a beautiful tradition!
Pam Manners recently posted..The Struggle
What a great and amazing tradition for Christmas Holidays, a very altruistically attitude. I bet that those persons are more than thrilled to receive a gift..from a stranger, i mean this is quite a surprise. Congratulations for your warm thoughts and for all the effort that you put in giving a smile on Christmas evening.
Love this idea!!!
Merry Christmas, friend!
Stefanie Brown recently posted..UpLIFTing Weekly…
I love this! thanks for sharing…
Michelle Pohl recently posted..Judgement: Did I force my child?
Thank you, it’s a fun one! Let me know if you decide to try it! 🙂
Perfect idea! What a way to show Christs love
Thanks Liz! It is the most fun to see the reactions!
Pingback: Finding Purpose in Our Christmas Traditions - Real Married Life
Pingback: Increase Your Joy In One Simple Step |
What kind of stuff do you put in the bags?
Depends on the year. Usually the things listed in the article: candy cane, tangerine, and some candies. Small inexpensive things work just fine 🙂 They enjoy the fact that someone thought of them 🙂
This is so sweet, I have been looking and thinking of something I could do like this for some time now, usually we donate shoe boxes to Operation Christmas Child, and still will, but to see the faces of the people you bless must make it so wonderful. Thank you for the idea!
If you have any other ideas like this please share!
Thanks Autumn! I think it’s so important for the kids to see the faces of those they impact. It’s a great re-enforcer for giving that’s for sure 🙂
This is awesome and we will be incorporating this into our day. What a great lesson on serving in a fun way!
My family is going to have so much fun doing this! What a gift you’ve given those who have to work Christmas day. I remember those days when I was a cashier. They’re hard and you’re left out of family celebrations. Thanks for this idea.
Pingback: Family Traditions for the Holidays - Fields of Daisies
Pingback: 35+ Christ-Centered Christmas Activities - Meaningfulmama.com
So starting this! I was searching for traditions to start with my little young family and well none of them were centered on Christ or service and so I was so happy to finally find this! thank you!