Our Random Acts of Christmas Kindness project is over for 2011, but my kids are still talking about it, pointing out ATM machines as we drive around town. Our Christmas by December 1 effort really made the Random Acts of Christmas Kindness project possible, because I was relaxed and able to put the time into it. Next year I’d like to plan ahead for the RACK project and have bags decorated and labeled for each day of December, like an Advent calendar, with cards inside to let the kids know what we are doing that day. (See my friend Karen’s blog for photos of her bags.)
If you have never tried finishing your Christmas preparations early or Random Acts of Christmas Kindness, I would encourage you to consider it for 2012. Just make a mental note or a note on your calendar to start planning for Christmas after you finish with back-to-school madness. You won’t need to start shopping in September, but if you at least sit down then and map out what you need to do and when you are going to do it, you will be on the right track.
I’ve had a few people ask about our RACK cards. Here is a PDF of the RACK cards I printed and taped to construction paper.
Here is a recap of what we did for RACK 2011. I’m also labeling those that are easy to do with little kids (assuming you are in those places already, such as eating out or running errands), and those that can be done inexpensively. You don’t have to get kids in and out of the car in the cold or leave large amounts of cash all over town to make a difference!
1. Left money to pay for people behind us in line at a coffee shop (EASY)
2. Left a huge tip for our waiter at a restaurant (EASY)
3. Left money to pay for the person behind us taking photos with Santa (EASY)
4. Left money for to pay for people behind us at the mall food court (EASY)
5. Handed out candy canes to people in line on a busy day at the post office (SUPER FUN FOR KIDS, INEXPENSIVE)
6. Delivered Starbucks and coffee cake to our pastor and church secretary . . . would be easier with kids if our church office had a drive-thru–ha!
7. Sang Christmas carols in the chemotherapy room at the oncology clinic (ADVANCE PLANNING NEEDED BUT TOTALLY FREE–although we did hand out candy canes around the clinic, it was still inexpensive)
8. Delivered Christmas treats to neighbors (INEXPENSIVE)
9. Left Shell gift cards on gas pumps (EASY)
10. Handed out candy canes to bell ringers while we ran errands (EASY, INEXPENSIVE)
11. Taped candy canes to ATM machines (EASY, INEXPENSIVE)
12. Took a plate of cookies to ER workers on Christmas Eve with a basket of candy canes for them to hand out to patients or other hospital employees (INEXPENSIVE)
Here are some other ideas we might try next year:
1. Make cards to mail to military personnel overseas (ADVANCE PLANNING NECESSARY, BUT EASY AND INEXPENSIVE)
2. Buy a candy bar for your cashier at the grocery store (EASY, INEXPENSIVE)
3. Hand out balloons to kids at Target or Wal-mart–it’s a birthday party for Jesus!
4. Pay for another table at a restaurant or someone behind you in a drive-thru line (EASY)
5. Leave a gift for your mail carrier (EASY)
6. Take flowers to residents at a nursing home
7. Take baby supplies to the crisis pregnancy center
8. Take coffee to the kids’ teachers in the morning
What other RACK are you planning for next year?
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such great ideas Marissa! Every year I want to join you in finishing my Christmas by the first, but seem behind each year. I’m going to try and mark it on my calendar so that I remember in 2012. I love the time it gave you to bless others!