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Print out service list and cut into strips. Place strips in a bag. Each day take turns choosing a service from the bag. Either the entire family can join in the service or just the person who chose the item.
Alternately, you could make up enough different strips for each person to have a different one each day!
Service List
- Help fold the laundry.
- Pick up your toys and things without being asked.
- Hug someone in your family.
- Help a younger brother or sister get ready for bed.
- Help mom make dinner.
- Play a game with your sister or brother.
- Make a treat for the birds.
- Draw a picture for your grandparents.
- Polish dad's shoes.
- Write a letter of appreciation for your parents.
- Make someone's bed.
- Write a letter to grandparents.
- Pull your brother or sister on the sled.
- Help clear the table.
- Write a note to a sister or brother telling them what you like about them.
- Make a Christmas card for a soldier or missionary.
- Read a Christmas story to a brother or sister.
- Pray for each person in your family.
- Tell each family member how much you love them.
Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.
I really love these advent calendars, but this has got to be my favorite. Doing service really helps us focus on what’s important and meaningful. Thank you!
Margie, thanks very much for the kind words. Hope your family enjoys using them! Merry Christmas.
This is pretty cute! We don’t have snow or a dad around here, but I think we can change things up enough to make it work. My daughter will LOVE this! Thanks. :o)
I love this, this is cute indeed.
Alison thank you for this great post, I wish you and your family a Happy Christmas, I hope you have a great time and joy.
wow its been almost 12 months since this was posted , christmas comes round so fast . This is what christmas is all about sharing and helping each other out.
I just learned about advent calendars and found this site. I love the service ideas. I am not a crafty person so I love the simple suggestion of cutting strips and putting into a bag. I have spent hours searching for a cool way to display the calendar that I was getting discouraged. Since I am running out of time, I think I will keep it simple.
Shelley, I’m so glad you found them! You’re a woman after my own heart. My husband calls me “the anti-craft.” I don’t like crafts and I couldn’t do them if I did. Glad you found these to be an easy solution!
Merry Christmas!
This is a great list! Thanks so much for sharing!