Bringing Joy to the World
The world could use a little joy don’t you think? That’s what Christmas is all about... ”Joy to the World”! Let’s help spread that joy. During the 40 days leading up to Christmas, each day or as many times as you can, use one of the acts of kindness listed below to share joy with those around you. Feel free to use original ideas of your own as well! Post a picture or write a post on social media to let us know how you're bringing joy to the world! On Instagram be sure to use the hashtags #40DaysofChristmas and #AldersgateChurch. On Facebook, tag us with @aldersgate. All your Instagram posts will appear below!
- Anonymously pay for someone’s dinner while eating at a restaurant
- Invite someone over for dinner without asking them to bring anything
- Take cookies, cupcakes, donuts, or other treats to a convenience store clerk, supermarket worker, restaurant server or retail worker
- Offer to pray for a retail worker who seems to be frazzled by the holiday shoppers
- Leave notes of encouragement in random places
- Take cookies, cupcakes, donuts or other treats to a workplace
- Sip hot chocolate by the fire
- Have a snowball fight (real or Bahama Bucks)
- Look at Christmas lights as a family or with friends
- Bake and gift Christmas cookies to a hospital, fire station, or other place where you find frontline workers
- Purchase and gift a $5 gift card to Starbucks, Sonic, or other “happy place” randomly
- Pick toys and re-gift to others in need
- Make homemade ornaments together with your family and/or friends
- Make homemade Christmas cards and share them with a nursing home, a homeless shelter, or other place that could use some Christmas cheer
- Have a family camp out beside the Christmas Tree
- Send a card or letter to someone you know needs some encouragement
- Take a “creative picture” in front of a Christmas tree and post it on social media
- Post a picture of an ugly Christmas sweater on social media and encourage others to post theirs as well
- Share your favorite Christmas song on social media
- Watch a Hallmark Christmas movie together with someone you love
- Spend time sitting still in front of a nativity scene
- Buy groceries for shut-ins, a busy mom, or family in need
- Pay for the person behind you in the drive through line
- Drop off a movie night box with red box code, popcorn, candy, etc. on someone’s doorstep
- Buy pet food, toys, and blankets and deliver to a pet shelter
- Leave an encouraging note for your mail person, delivery person, etc.
- Volunteer at the food bank, help deliver food boxes, or serve with an organization that helps others during the Christmas season
- Babysit for a single mom or family for free allowing them to do some Christmas shopping
- Ring the bell for Salvation Army
- Invite someone who may not have a place to go to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner
- Donate coloring books and crayons to a children’s hospital or other organization that could use them
- Volunteer to wrap presents for a friend, widow, or someone else who could use the help
- Write a thank you note to a teacher, public servant, or first responder
- Help a widow or someone who could use assistance decorating for Christmas
- Leave change taped to vending machine with a “Merry Christmas” message
- Send Christmas flowers to someone who could use some holiday cheer
- Send a card or care package to a soldier who won’t get to celebrate the holidays with their family
- Make and deliver dinner to a family in need
- Share an encouraging Bible verse on social media
- Gather your family and friends and surprise your neighborhood with door to door Christmas caroling
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