Christmas Ideas for your ministry
Christmas is an amazing time of the year. It can also be a great time for the teens in your ministry to celebrate, serve, and build memories. Here are some ideas of things you can do to make this Christmas season a memorable one.
Christmas Party
An old standby, but a good one. Play some games, have some food, and just relax and celebrate Christmas.
Gift Exchange
You can do a gift exchange any number of ways. You can have a “Secret Santa” where people draw names and give them something in secret. You can play different games with the presents where they can trade them, pass them around or whatever before opening. Or, my personal favorite is to have a “White elephant gift exchange” where you give something goofy (and inexpensive). The more creative the better. It’s the best way to build memories.
Cookie Drop
You can read all about it here. Basically, you spread the love of Jesus through cookies.
Caroling
You can go caroling door to door, which would be good. Or, you can call up a local nursing home or senior center and see if you could take your group caroling there. The people there love it when young people come and visit, and they won’t even care how bad you sing.
Adopt a family
Chances are there is a family (or families) in your church that can’t afford to provide Christmas. You can be their Santa. Buy presents, food for a Christmas meal, and drop it off. Have your students provide the money, time shopping, and even be the deliverers.
Visit a live nativity
Make the story of Jesus come alive by visiting a live nativity.
Christmas Cartoon marathon
Take the students back to their childhood by showing a few Christmas cartoons such as Charlie Brown, the Grinch, etc. Maybe even have the teen bring a few of their favorites.
Present wrapping
This can be a service project or a fundraiser, but take a night to wrap Christmas presents for people in the church. *Note – you might want to train your students how to wrap first. Just saying.
Christmas shopping
Go out for a day of Christmas shopping with your teens. Make sure they buy you something nice.
Babysitting for families
As a father of 3 toddlers, I know it can be downright impossible to go shopping for the little kiddos. Offer a night where you provide free babysitting so parents can go out and shop, or wrap presents, or just have a night of sanity to themselves.
Christmas worship stations
Have your students step back from the commercialism, lights, and craziness for awhile to reflect on the birth of our savior. Check out these great ideas for worship stations at nailscars.com.
Make Ornaments
Make memories by making something they’ll hang on their trees for years to come. You can find hundreds of easy to make ornament ideas online, or just find someone who is crafty to come do this for you.
Create Christmas cards
Store bought cards are ok, but when you create your own it means more. Buy some nice card stock, grab the craft supplies, and get down to business.
Volunteer at a food pantry
We can get caught up in ourselves during the Christmas season. Show your students another side by volunteering at a food pantry or soup kitchen. Serve others, and expose students to the needs around them.
These are just some of the many things you can do this Christmas season to impact your students, make some memories, and have a good time. What are things you do to celebrate Christmas in your ministry?
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