The holiday season is a perfect time to get to know or continue to build relationships with your neighbors. And if you’ve been cultivating a relationship with them for a while, this may be the time to engage in a more intentional conversation about what they believe about God, Christianity or spirituality in general.
This has been a tough year for everyone. A bit of kindness mixed with an intentional conversation can go a long way. Here are seven simple, family friendly ideas to help you begin to think intentionally about reaching out to your neighbors this holiday season:
1. Make ornaments for your neighbors.
Many families see the holiday season as an opportunity to give gifts to their neighbors. If you have children, get your family involved and make or decorate ornaments to give to your neighbors. Consider attaching a homemade Christmas card that shares the hope you have in Christ during this season.
Keep in mind, some of your neighbors may not celebrate Christmas. If this is the case, consider making and decorating a keychain or some other item with a Gospel focus to give them instead.
2. Bake holiday desserts for your neighbors.
Similar to making ornaments, baking is a simple, inexpensive way to give a gift to your neighbors this holiday season. From Christmas cookies to candy canes, there’s no shortage of holiday treats, and no dessert is too small.
Some neighbors may be apprehensive to accept food from others during the pandemic. If you know this to be the case, consider buying individually wrapped treats and putting them in holiday goodie bags.
Be sure to consider if the individual or family has any food allergies or sensitivities.
3. Host a hot chocolate or apple cider bar in your yard.
Create a COVID-safe (consider getting individually wrapped cider or hot chocolate packets) hot beverage bar in your yard and invite your neighbors to a warm cup of comfort. This is a great opportunity for you and your family to actually have conversations with your neighbors.
4. Make homemade Christmas cards.
In a time where we mostly get bills, ads or junk mail that become either scrap paper, garbage or a makeshift Post-it Note, it can be quite refreshing to get a handwritten note or Christmas card.
Instead of simply putting it in your neighbor’s mailbox, consider knocking on their door and dropping it off. And if you don’t know your neighbors well, leave your phone number for them to get in contact with you in case they should need anything.
5. Organize a neighborhood or street gift exchange.
Some streets, neighborhoods and communities are tight-knit and would love an opportunity to meet new people who live nearby. If yours is one of those communities—or you would like it to be—organize a neighborhood gift exchange. Even if some neighbors don’t celebrate Christmas, most people won’t turn down the opportunity to do good to a fellow neighbor or to get a gift themselves.
Consider using an online tool like Elfster.
6. Create a “Dinner-On-Us” gift basket.
A shared meal goes a long way in expressing care, kindness and love. But these days, not everyone will feel comfortable sharing a meal in someone else’s home. You can still show hospitality, thoughtfulness and care by taking the dinner to them. Create a “dinner-on-us” basket where you buy all the ingredients for a meal for them to make themselves.
Be sure to consider if the individual or family has any food allergies or sensitivities.
7. Buy your neighbor your favorite Advent devotional.
If you know your neighbors fairly well, your faith in Jesus shouldn’t be a surprise to them. Perhaps you’ve even had an opportunity through the year to share the hope that’s within you. If you have a favorite Advent devotional you use, buy it for them as a gift.
For more helpful resources on how you and your family can boldly and creatively share the gospel, visit nambevangelism.com.
Published December 9, 2020