Let’s be honest. Winter can be depressing. One of the ways to get your family out of the doldrums is to serve others. As Christians, serving others and sharing our faith are two of the major things God wants us to do. Ironically (although not really), both have also been found to have a positive impact on our mental health. Thankfully, there are some fun service projects your family can do in the winter. Most are simple, low cost and don’t take a lot of time. For the recipient though, it can make a huge positive difference.
- Make a bird feeder and place it where someone shut in can watch the birds. You can get kits to build a regular feeder or make temporary ones out of pinecones. Make sure you fill it with food and provide extra if the person is physically able to walk out and refill it. If not, consider dropping by every few days to add food.
- Build snow people. You might want to ask permission first depending on the person. How much fun though for someone shut in to watch you build it and then have a fun sight out of their window for awhile!
- Shovel porches, sidewalks and driveways. This one is labor intensive, but great exercise! So many older people get stuck at home until the snow and ice totally melt because they are afraid of falling. After shoveling, you may also want to spread salt so melting ice doesn’t re-freeze.
- Take over some soup and corn muffins or homemade bread. The truth is that it is the thought that counts. Making homemade soup and bread – even from mixes – adds to the fun, but some cans of good soup and a nice loaf of deli bread or rolls will probably be just as appreciated.
- Take over hot chocolate and fixings. You can make fun things like chocolate spoons for stirring or even your own hot chocolate mix. Want to go the extra mile? Add a cute mug and marshmallows (they can be made from scratch too if you want to try it with your kids).
- Have a video call. A lot of people stay home during the winter to avoid germs. Since kids tend to be germ magnets, a personal visit is not always the best idea. Why not set up a video call, though? Depending on personalities, be prepared to get the conversation going between your kids and the person you are calling.
- Send some mail. Sure it’s old school, but who doesn’t love to get something fun in the mail? Have your kids draw pictures, write notes, send riddles or puzzles….anything that would be fun for someone stuck at home to receive.
- Gather up and give winter clothing to someone who needs it. Kids grow rapidly. Your kids and their friends may have a lot of winter wear they have outgrown. Get them to collect it and then give it to individuals, families or urban ministries who could use it.
- Take someone some flowers. Nothing brightens a room in the winter like fresh cut flowers. You can get inexpensive bouquets at grocery stores. Many places now sell blooming or ready to bloom plants that may last even longer.
- Plant seeds for food to give away. It doesn’t take much to grow many lettuces and spinach indoors in the winter. You can gift that food now or plant seeds for transplanting outside when the weather gets nice. Encourage your kids to care for the seedlings and discuss who might benefit the most from the food you grow.
Have fun with it. Bonus points if you include an encouraging Bible verse or point the recipients to God in some way as well. Make this a winter that is bright for everyone.