If you have been thinking and planning your family gifts for Christmas and have that all under control, then you are free to spend the month bringing Christmas to strangers and enjoy the spirit of the holiday. So often we get bogged down with “busy” and we end up missing the entire season. You know how fast a typical month goes by; Christmas typically goes by even faster.

Of course, it’s important to take care of ourselves (a little bit), and our families, but it seems we never get around to taking care of others. Here are some ideas to spread Christmas cheer:

• Gather a small group of friends or family, go downtown, and sing Christmas carols on the street.
• Make a giant jug of hot chocolate, take it down to the homeless shelter, or a park where people are hanging around, and distribute cups full of the hot good stuff.
• Do some kind of comedy act for a retirement home, you could probably sing some songs too. Frankly, this activity should be done in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and not left just for Christmas.
• Sub for Santa is always good to do at least once in your life.
• Remember our soldiers and our missionaries. You probably know someone serving, or you know someone who knows someone who is serving. Pack a box full of goodies.
• Collect and donate a variety of Christmas movies and drop them off at the children’s hospital for patients to watch; while you’re there, visit for a while with a book or song.
• While walking downtown, or through the mall, instead of shopping, say Merry Christmas to everyone you pass by.
• Visit all the widows and widowers you know and bring them some Christmas cheer.
• Find some good cause to donate your time and/or money.
• Write thank you notes to those people who have helped you all year, especially those you don’t normally even talk to, i. e., postman, store check-out person, doorman, someone who’s yard gives you pleasure as you pass by, etc., your very own family.
• Pick a family to gift the “12 Days of Christmas” to. Be sure to keep it a secret.
• Volunteer time at the local Food Bank or Homeless Shelter.
• Do what you can to plan your month in advance, so you can pick and choose your events, and control how busy you want to be. Be sure to make special time for your family. Read a Christmas story together every night. Or do an advent activity.
• Instead of filling up the month of December, consider having a party in between Christmas and New Year’s, or wait until January to party.
• I like to set my goals in December. That way, after the holiday, I am ready to face the new year with excitement and adventure. (Recently, I’ve started to list everything I accomplished during the year, in December, instead of setting new goals for the new year. It makes me feel better.)