Inspired by the story of Good King Wenceslas and God's ultimate gift to us, explore 10 meaningful service projects your family can do together this Christmas season.
The twinkling lights, the scent of pine and cinnamon, the anticipation in children's eyes—Christmas carries a magic all its own. Yet beneath the excitement of gifts and gatherings lies something deeper: the profound joy that comes from giving. As families, we have a beautiful opportunity during this season to guide our children's hearts beyond what they'll receive and toward what they can offer others.
Good King Wenceslas’ Heart to Give and Serve
You might remember the old Christmas carol about Good King Wenceslas, who "looked out on the Feast of Stephen, when the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even." The song tells the story of a king who noticed a poor man gathering winter fuel on a bitterly cold night. Rather than remaining warm in his palace, Wenceslas ventured out through the harsh weather with his page, carrying food, wine, and firewood to the struggling man.
What makes this story so enduring isn't just the king's generosity, it's his willingness to personally sacrifice comfort and safety to meet someone else's need. He didn't send servants with provisions; he went himself, trudging through the snow, demonstrating that faithful giving often requires something of us beyond our material resources
This is the heart of the Christmas season. God gave us His only Son—the ultimate gift, born in humility to bring light into our darkness. This wasn't a distant transaction but an intimate act of love that required everything. As we celebrate this incredible gift, we're invited to ask ourselves: What are we willing to give this holiday season?
Perhaps it's our time when our schedules are already stretched thin. Maybe it's compassion for someone who's difficult to love. Or it could be a helping hand when we'd rather rest by the fire with our own families.
What Are Good Service Projects for Kids?
The beauty of service is that it doesn't require grand gestures. Even the smallest hands can make a difference, and the smallest acts of kindness can ripple outward in ways we never imagine.
Looking for holiday community service ideas for kids? Here are some ideas the whole family can participate in:
- Create holiday cards. Set aside an afternoon for your children to craft Christmas cards with markers, stickers, and heartfelt messages. Send them to soldiers deployed overseas who might be spending Christmas far from home, or deliver them to children in local hospitals who need encouragement. You can also surprise neighbors—especially those who live alone—with a simple card reminding them they're thought of and valued.
- Bake treats to share. Whether for your neighbors, local responders, or co-op friends, make holiday treats that you can gift! Using our Christmas Around the World eBook and recipe book, you can learn about holiday traditions and treats eaten in 19 countries and share what you bake!
- Pack a shoebox. Programs like Operation Christmas Child allow families to fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children in need around the world. Let each child select items to include, explaining that another child will receive these gifts. You might also participate in Angel Tree programs that provide Christmas gifts for children of incarcerated parents. You can also use this as an opportunity to have a lesson in financial literacy, as you explain budgeting and look at the list of items they are adding to the shoebox.
- Collect and donate goods to a shelter. Organize a collection drive for your local homeless or domestic violence shelter. Many need warm clothing, blankets, toiletries, and non-perishable food items.
- Serve at a food bank. Many food banks welcome family volunteers during the holidays. You might pack boxes for distribution or serve meals at a community dinner. Even younger children can help with packing.
- Host a toy drive. Coordinate with your church or neighborhood to collect new, unwrapped toys for children who might not otherwise receive Christmas gifts. Your kids can help create flyers, collect donations, and sort toys by age group.
- Volunteer at a retirement center or nursing home. The holidays can be especially lonely for elderly residents in care facilities. Visit with your children to sing carols, read stories, play card games, or simply sit and listen to residents share their memories. Your children's energy and presence can be a tremendous gift to someone who rarely receives visitors.
- Write letters of gratitude. Spend time as a family writing thank you letters to people who serve your community year-round: service members, firefighters, police officers, librarians, mail carriers, or teachers. If you need more gratitude service ideas, check out Sonlight’s Gratitude Kit, a free printable activity kit that includes creative activities, a gratitude challenge, a calendar, and more! Practicing gratitude is often associated with the Thanksgiving holiday, but gratefulness is a heart posture we should have all year long, especially during the Christmas season!
- Practice random acts of kindness. Challenge your family to perform surprise acts of kindness: pay for someone's coffee in line behind you, shovel a neighbor's driveway, leave quarters at the laundromat, or tape gift cards to gas pumps. Sonlight’s Cover the World with Love eBook includes 28 ideas for acts of kindness as well as short devotions with scripture that can inspire even more ideas! These spontaneous gestures teach children that service doesn't always require planning; sometimes it just requires awareness.
- Look into virtual opportunities. If your family's schedule is packed or health concerns limit outings, consider virtual service. Kids can create digital cards for nursing home residents or participate in online tutoring for struggling students.
As Good King Wenceslas discovered on that snowy night, the journey of serving others warms our own hearts as much as it helps those we're blessing. When we teach our children to give– not just their excess, but their time, attention, and love–we're shaping hearts that understand the true meaning of Christmas. This Christmas, may your family discover together that in giving, we receive far more than we ever imagined possible.
Wondering what other lessons classic Christmas stories and characters can teach us? Sign up for Sonlight’s Microlearning series. Throughout the year, parents get fun emails sent directly to their inboxes that include learning for the whole family. From a quick 5-minute podcast to a related activity, book recommendations, and more designed for kids, these emails offer simple and easy themed learning. And right now, our 10-part Christmas series is running until December 24th!
