1. Spread the joy challenge
Take a photo of yourself holding up a piece of paper with something written on it that brings you joy. Post the photo on social media and tag three people challenging them to do the same. The aim is that a whole load of joy will be spread around your contacts and beyond! Use the hashtag #SAChristmasJoy.
2. A joyful scene
Set up a Nativity scene or Christmas-themed display to help people passing by focus on the Christmas story. This could be an outside scene or a window display depending on space, tools and materials on offer.
3. Phone call chain
Set a challenge to your corps or church to start a chain of phone calls by calling the first person for a chat, then encouraging them to call someone else for a chat, and so on. You could set out a framework to help direct the conversations with a festive feel, including sharing favourite Christmas memories, favourite carols, etc. This will be a good way of connecting with and including people that don’t have online access.
4. Super-secret Santa
Create small anonymous packages to drop off to people. These could include mince pies or Christmas treats, and drink sachets / tea bags as well as suitable festive reading material such as the Advent Prayer Matters.
5. Carol concert invitations
Send Christmas cards to your neighbours with a link to your corps/church Christmas carol concert or Christmas events.
6. Rainy day stones
Create Nativity story stones to help communicate the Christmas story in a creative and imaginative way. You could put the stones out around your neighbourhood to help share the Christmas story to your neighbours.
7. Support/promote your local Christmas present appeal
You can drop off presents to any locally advertised drop-off points; or if you are co-ordinating the present appeal, access all of the available resources from The Salvation Army’s website.
8. Christmas riddles
Challenge your friends and followers online by posting a different Christmas riddle on your social media page every day. Some are available here.
9. Joyful picks
Create some tear-off flyers of joyful and hope-filled messages and stick them on your door, window, or along your street. Be sure to only stick these up where you have permission or on your own property.
10. Christmas movie watch party
Watch a Christmas movie with your friends and neighbours. If you can’t all be together physically, you can use an online platform like Teleparty.
11. Christmas scavenger hunt
Print out a list of Christmassy things that your friends or family can hunt for around the house and local streets. You could turn this into a competition with another household either as a timed event or spread out over the lead up to Christmas by sending photos each time you spot something.
12. Christmas party
Hold your own Christmas party complete with a buffet, games, dancing etc! You may want to invite people from your corps you don’t know to well, or perhaps some new neighbours. It’s a great opportunity to make some new friends and spread some joy.
