25 Days of Kindness & Togetherness
As we enter into this holiday season, many of us look forward to the joy and excitement that comes with traditional advent calendars. While the thrill of opening a little door each day to reveal a sweet treat or gift is delightful, why not switch things up this year? Instead of chocolates or toys, consider creating an “altruistic advent calendar” that focuses on acts of kindness, service, and togetherness. Here are 25 creative ideas that will inspire your family to give back and spread joy during the festive season.
Day 1: Community Clean-Up
Kick off the month by organizing a family community clean-up. Head to a local park or neighborhood and spend the day picking up litter. Not only will you beautify your community, but you’ll also set a positive example for others.
Day 2: Bake and Share
Spend the day baking cookies or holiday treats together, then package them up to share with your neighbors, local fire station, or unhoused community. This gesture is sure to spread smiles!
Day 3: Donate Books
Gather any books that your family no longer reads and donate them to one of the many Little Free Libraries scattered around our city. Consider a trip together to deliver the books and discuss why sharing knowledge is essential. To find a Little Free Library near you, visit littlefreelibrary.org/map/.
Day 4: Write Letters to Seniors
Have a letter-writing day where your family writes heartfelt letters to residents at a nearby retirement community. Ask them about their interests to make your letters more personal.
Day 5: Volunteer at a Food Bank
Spend a day volunteering at a local food bank or meal center such as Lynchburg Daily Bread or Lynchburg’s Food Not Bombs. This experience will teach your family about gratitude and the importance of helping those in need.
Day 6: Family Game Night
Dedicate a night to board games or card games as a family. Make it special by adding homemade snacks and warm apple cider. This fosters togetherness and strengthens family bonds.
Day 7: Create Care Packages
Gather items like toiletries, snacks, hygiene products, and warm blankets, and assemble care packages for our unhoused community. Take a family trip to distribute them together.
Day 8: Thank-You Notes
Spend time writing thank-you notes to people who have positively impacted your lives, from teachers to friends. Encourage your children to think of specific ways these people have helped them.
Day 9: Create Holiday Cards for Service Members
Spend the day making holiday cards to send to deployed service members through organizations like the Red Cross or local military support groups. Encourage your family to write personal messages of gratitude and cheer, letting these heroes know they are appreciated during the holiday season.
Day 10: Share Your Skills
Have each family member identify a skill they can teach others, like knitting, cooking, or crafting. Organize a small workshop for friends or neighbors, sharing knowledge and fostering connections.
Day 11: Organize a Puzzle Day
Dedicate a day to working on puzzles together as a family. Choose a large jigsaw puzzle to complete or set up multiple smaller puzzles for everyone to enjoy. You can even create a friendly competition by timing how long it takes to finish each one.
Day 12: Make Holiday Decorations for Others
Spend the day crafting holiday decorations and delivering them to local community centers or hospitals. A little holiday cheer can brighten someone’s day.
Day 13: Take a Walk for Charity
Plan a family walk or hike and collect pledges for each mile walked to donate to a charity of your choice. Enjoy nature while contributing to a good cause.
Day 14: Organize a Clothing Drive
Collect gently used clothing from your family and friends and donate them to a local shelter or organization in need. Set a goal for how many items you want to collect!
Day 15: Holiday Movie Marathon
Host a movie marathon featuring holiday classics. Make it special by creating a cozy space with blankets and snacks, focusing on togetherness and laughter.
Day 16: Offer to Help a Neighbor
Choose a neighbor who may need assistance, such as an elderly person or a busy family. Offer to help with chores like gardening, cleaning, or grocery shopping.
Day 17: Create Kindness Rocks
Gather some smooth rocks and paint them with uplifting messages. Hide them in your community for others to find, spreading joy and positivity.
Day 18: Visit a Local Animal Shelter
Spend a day at a local animal shelter, either volunteering your time or bringing in supplies like pet food and toys. Better yet, if you have the room and extra time to spare, consider becoming a foster parent—our local shelters are often unfortunately at capacity.
Day 19: Start a Gratitude Jar
Create a family gratitude jar where each member writes down something they’re thankful for every day leading up to the holidays. Read them together on Christmas Eve.
Day 20: Share Holiday Spirit
Encourage your family to participate in a local holiday event,
like the downtown Lynchburg tree lighting ceremony at Craddock Terry Hotel, to foster community spirit.
Day 21: DIY Gift-Making Session
Spend the day crafting homemade gifts for family members or friends. This could include handmade ornaments, baked goods,
or personalized notes.
Day 22: Holiday-Themed Karaoke Night
Organize a family karaoke night with all holiday-themed music to get everyone into the holiday spirit. Bonus points if participants dress up in their wackiest holiday attire.
Day 23: Explore Nature
Take a day to enjoy the outdoors as a family. Go for a hike or have a picnic, taking time to appreciate the beauty of nature together.
Day 24: Share Your Favorite Memories
Gather as a family to share your favorite memories from the year. Reflecting on your experiences encourages gratitude and reinforces family bonds.
Day 25: Celebrate with Gratitude
On the final day of your altruistic advent calendar, have a family gathering where you celebrate the acts of kindness you’ve completed. Share stories about your experiences and how they made you feel, reinforcing the importance of community and kindness.
By creating an altruistic advent calendar filled with acts of service and togetherness, you not only enrich your family’s holiday experience but also make a lasting impact on your community.
This holiday season, let kindness and connection be your guiding lights as you count down the days to Christmas.
