Bright Ideas: 30 Creative Ways to Bring Light to Your Place of Mission This Christmas
WELCOME to Issue #272 of The Seedhead from Alex and Hannah at Dandelion Resourcing
- a weekly confidence booster to help you step into naturally supernatural discipleship and mission!
“Let your light shine before others…” (Matthew 5:16)
At Christmas we remember that Jesus came as the Light of the World. As His people, we are to reflect His light in both planned and spontaneous moments, sharing the hope, joy, and life we’ve found in Him.
This season gives us a natural opportunity to build deeper relationships and step into mission. People are often more open, more reflective, and more willing to explore spiritual things.
As you explore these Christmas outreach ideas, think about how to adapt them to fit your unique context. Choose one or two that resonate with you, and invite others to experience the fun and wonder of Jesus!
1. Ask Jesus: “Who is my Person of Peace in this Christmas season?”
Think about the people in your life who seem spiritually open or unusually drawn to you. Ask Jesus what your next step toward them might be, then take it with prayerful boldness.
2. Be attentive and ready for divine appointments as you’re out and about
Who is the Spirit drawing your attention to? Be ready to serve, encourage, and engage in conversation. Who knows what the Spirit has in mind!
3. Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Party
Gather a group and pack gift-filled shoeboxes together, praying for the children who will receive them. This simple act often sparks great conversations about generosity, hope, and God’s heart for the nations.
4. Daily Kindness
Create an Advent calendar where each day is an act of service instead of candy. Ideas: write a thank you note, call a lonely relative, or pay for someone else’s coffee
5. Craft selling party
Do you know anyone with a small business that sells handmade jewelry, cookies, cards, or other creative items? Consider hosting an event where they can showcase their products! This is a fantastic opportunity for others to come together, browse, and purchase unique gifts and fun stocking stuffers while supporting local artisans.
6. Cookie decorating or exchange party
Provide plain cookies and let people decorate them, or ask everyone to bring a batch and swap. It’s simple, it’s fun, and it gives people an easy way to enjoy each other’s company.
7. Christmas recipes and story swapping party
Invite friends to share their favorite recipes, childhood traditions, or memorable holiday stories. You’ll be surprised by how personal people become when given space to talk about their lives.
8. Gingerbread house making party
Let creativity run wild as everyone builds their edible masterpiece. Offer small prizes for categories like “neatest,” “most creative,” or “held together solely by prayer.”
9. Christmas tree ornament brunch
Host a relaxed morning where people can craft a simple holiday decoration or card. It’s a great environment for warm conversation while doing something hands-on.
10. Birthday party for Jesus
Host a party with food, games and a cake, and ask guests to bring a gift to donate to a child in need. This works very well for families with preschooler or younger elementary age kids.
11. Host an ‘open house’
Pick a time, open your home, and ask guests to bring a drink or snack to share. The drop-in feel makes it easy for people to connect without pressure.
12. White elephant party
Invite people to bring a silly or unwanted gift to exchange in a playful way. Laughter breaks down barriers and gives you plenty of moments to build friendships.
13. Christmas quiz, trivia, or bingo night
Choose some light-hearted games and offer fun prizes. It’s easy to organize and gives people a reason to invite friends who might not come to something more formal.
14. Evening by the fire pit
Get everyone to share the highlights of this year and what they’re hoping for the new year. Push into deeper and more meaningful questions that are fueled by Spirit-prompted curiosity.
15. Reach out to those who are alone for the holidays
Think of neighbors, coworkers, or friends who might face Christmas alone. Invite them to join in for some part of your Christmas day, e.g. brunch, the main meal, or wine and dessert in the evening.
16. Host a hot-chocolate station on your street or in the local park
No agenda, just be present. Let conversations come naturally.
17. Invite people to a carol service, or to watch a nativity play, or a Christian-themed Christmas movie
Whether it’s at your church, in your home, or in the community, invite people to join you. Sharing an experience opens the door for meaningful follow-up talk.
18. Christmas Caroling in the neighborhood
Think about who would like to do the singing and who would like to be sung to. You can end with hot chocolate and cookies, or even hand them out as you go!
19. Organize a Christmas-time hike
Plan a simple outing like a hike, a walk on the beach, or a game in the park. Again, be intentional in your conversations.
20. Bless Hospital Staff or First Responders
Gather your group to create care packages (coffee, snacks, treats, cards) for the "night shift" or emergency staff who work on Christmas Eve/ Day, showing them appreciation.
21. Volunteer somewhere as a group
Choose a local charity, food pantry, or outreach project and serve together. Invite friends who don’t yet follow Jesus to join you so they can see faith expressed in action.
22. Adopt-a-Family
Team up with a local ministry to "adopt" a family in need. Instead of just toys, focus on providing necessities like utility assistance, warm clothing, or food baskets, connecting with them personally to offer ongoing support.
23. Free Gift Wrapping Service
Set up a free gift-wrapping station at a local shopping center or near your church. Offer a warm drink and a genuine conversation, providing a simple invitation card to your Christmas service.
24. Serving a Needy Neighbor
Look for an elderly, single-parent, or struggling neighbor who needs help with chores or household tasks. Offer practical support like putting up lights, babysitting, or yard cleanup.
25. Deliver cards and cookies to your People of Peace
Bake something simple and write a personal card, then drop them off with a warm greeting. Small gestures like this communicate real care.
26. Write prophetic Christmas cards
Hand write cards to friends and neighbors, and as you do so ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration about what to write. Even if the recipients seem a long way from Jesus, you can use phrases such as, “As we enter a new year, my hope for you is…” and then share the prophetic insight without calling it that. If they are more open, you can introduce it with something like, “I’m praying for you all that…”.
27. Prophetic gift giving
Ask the Lord to inspire your gift giving e.g. you could give a peace lily and when you give it you could say “I’m praying that this would be a tangible sign of God’s peace in your home this year.”
28. Ask God who might need financial blessing
Pause and ask the Lord whose burden you might quietly lift this season. Then give in secret and let Jesus have the joy of being their provider.
29. Chalk Christmas messages on a driveway or sidewalk
Write simple messages of hope, joy, and peace where neighbors will see them. Invite kids or teenagers to join in and make it a fun community moment.
30. Set aside the first days of January to intentionally pray and fast for your place of mission - Use the first days of the new year to pray for the people and places God has entrusted to you. Go on a prayer walk or drive and ask the Spirit for fresh opportunities to share Jesus in the year ahead.
Next Steps
Which one of these ideas are you going to do this month?
Who can join you?
When will you do it?
What do you need to prepare, and when do you need to do it?
Pray before, during, and after!
With love,
Alex + Hannah
ALEX AND HANNAH ABSALOM
P.S. As you consider end of year giving, please include Dandelion in your plans. You can read more about our vision in this short document here!
