5 Ideas for Serving the Community During the Holidays

There’s no better time to give back than during the holidays. Finding ways to serve the community during this joyous time of year can bring your family closer together while helping those in need. Despite your good intentions, you may not know how to help others during the holidays. Here are some ideas of easy ways to serve the community this upcoming season:

Volunteer at a local food pantry or soup kitchen.

When you think of feeding others for the holidays, the first thing that comes to mind is cooking for the family. However, some people need extra help to get their holiday dinner. Volunteering at a local food pantry or soup kitchen is a great way to give back as a family. In volunteering, “the more, the merrier” always rings true.

Adopt a family in need for the holidays.

Many charity organizations have an “Adopt-a-family” program, where you can help a family in need by buying the items on their wishlists. These programs ensure that parents who otherwise would not be able to afford gifts could spread holiday joy to their children. This can be a morale boost during a time that can be difficult for struggling families. It also allows your family to feel good about helping others. 

Make holiday cards for nursing home residents.

Nursing homes can be lonely places, especially during the holidays. Creating homemade holiday cards for nursing home residents can bring them joy, letting them know someone is thinking of them. Start by finding out where you can send the cards, then get to crafting. Make a day of putting together cards as a family, writing nice messages and, if you have an artist in the family, allowing them to give the cards a creative touch. 

Organize a neighborhood cleanup.

One way to give back to the community is to clean it up. Get some neighbors together to clean up the neighborhood. Make it fun by encouraging everyone to dress festively but comfortably. Figure out a weekend day that will work for most people, and post some flyers around the neighborhood. Then, when the time comes, buy some gloves and trash bags, and get to work making your neighborhood a more beautiful place. Getting everyone involved will help bring the community together and help everyone appreciate the place they live even more. 

Donate toys and clothes to a local shelter or charity.

Children of all ages have toys and clothes they love for a while that eventually lie forgotten. If they’re still in good condition when this happens, you may consider donating these items to charity. There will always be children in need who will enjoy new clothes and toys like your child once did. Help your child decide which items they’re willing to sacrifice. Put out a “to keep” box and a “to donate” box so they see that they’re not giving everything up, only the things that no longer mean as much to them. It will all be worth it to make another child smile this holiday season. 

As the holiday season quickly approaches, take some time to plan out activities you and the family can do for the community. At NTCA, spreading God’s love through acts of service is part of the curriculum. Students at our Tampa Christian school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

Meaningful New Year's Resolutions for Children and Teens

When children make New Year’s Resolutions, they tend to be imitations of what they hear from parents (“lose weight,” “watch less TV”) or big aspirations that would take more than a year to accomplish (“save the world,” “make the world a better place”). There’s a middle ground of New Year’s Resolutions that are more meaningful and easier to achieve. Here are a few goals your child or teen can aspire to in the New Year. 

Always Be Honest

Being honest 100% of the time is easier said than done. Children can be especially prone to getting caught up in a lie. They start with one white lie that snowballs and becomes overwhelming. Help your child understand that it’s better to be honest, even if the truth is that they made a mistake. This doesn’t mean your child has to use “tough love” or be brutally honest to others. Weighing honesty and kindness may take some practice, but ultimately, your child will learn that it’s best to be honest with themselves and others. 

Become a Better Friend

Talk to your child about the importance of being present with their friends and family. This could mean taking out their headphones at dinner time or listening thoughtfully during conversations. It also means being there for friends who need help and telling a trusted adult if it seems like a serious situation. Nothing is quite as valuable when you’re feeling alone as having a friend who will listen. Forming deeper friendships and relationships with family members will also bring more meaning to your child’s life.

Eat, Drink and Sleep Well

People of all ages struggle to take care of themselves, though it’s typically for different reasons. A child or teen may stay up late talking to friends online or playing video games. They may skimp on water or food because they were too distracted by other activities. However, getting adequate sleep, drinking enough water and eating fruits and vegetables can do wonders for a child or teen’s wellbeing. When helping your child make healthier choices, make sure it doesn’t feel like a punishment. Make it clear that you’re doing this for them. 

Show More Gratitude

Part of living a fulfilling life is appreciating what you have and those around you. It’s easy for children, teens and even adults to forget the importance of showing gratitude. A simple way for a child or teen to start showing more gratitude is by saying “thank you,” even if someone does something small. Then, once they’ve gotten used to saying thank you, they can move on to small acts of kindness. Doing something nice for another person shows gratitude just as much as thanking someone for doing a nice thing for you. 

Bring Peace to Others

In a world where one of the most pervasive problems for students is bullying, your child can aspire to be a peacemaker. This can mean not getting involved in petty drama or not allowing themselves to be pressured into bullying others. They can also be an active participant in resolving conflicts, rather than fueling the fire. Another great way to be a peacemaker is by ignoring rumors and reserving judgment of other people. The peace they bring to others will come back around to them. 

As the New Year draws closer, it’s a great time to consider how you and your child can make meaningful resolutions. At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, students thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.