Gifts of Service

Ralph Waldo Emerson seemed to acquire a new depth of meaning: “Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself.”

(Essays: The Poet)

1. Create a coupon book for Mothers, Fathers or even for the kids. Here is a very cute book courtesy of Martha Stewart.
   


2. Homemade Christmas by Gene R. Cook has many great ideas for Gift Certificates/Coupon Books for neighbors and family members.
   
   
3. Give the gift of time to your children. Tinsel or Gold? by Tracy Hogan Barrand from the December 1995 Ensign says "There are few gifts we can give to our children that mean more to them than our own time freely offered, sometimes at personal sacrifice. 'You are really important' is the message that such acts convey." I highly recommend reading this article!
   
   
4. Make a Service Jar. Feel the Christmas Spirit all year round as you do acts of service during the year. Download the Service Jar Template here.
   
5. Give the gift of your time by doing Geneology work for your family.
   
   
6. Give the gift of yourself to your family and loved ones. Spend the day doing kind things for your parents and siblings. You could make breakfast, help wrap and deliver presents, or clean up after dinner.
   
   
7. Give your parents a break. Spend some time looking after your younger brothers and sisters during the Christmas holiday.
   
   
8. Volunteer at a local food bank or shelter, or help with some other worthy cause.
   Visit someone who is sick or elderly. Ask him or her to tell you about a past Christmas.
   
   
9. Express your love and gratitude for the Savior in your prayers.
   
   
10. Christmas is a time for peace. Try to resolve differences with someone you don’t get along with very well.
    
    
11. You can also encourage peace by not quarreling with your siblings. Try to treat your family as well as you possibly can.
    
    
12. Write a letter to your parents thanking them for the things they have done for you.
    
    
13. Write letters to full-time missionaries from your ward or branch to encourage them and to let them know you remember them in your prayers.
    
    
14. Make your brother’s or sister’s bed without letting anyone know who did it.
    
    
15. Baby-sit for free so parents can enjoy an outing to a Christmas concert, attend the temple, or spend time together.
    
    
16. Read the Christmas story to a younger brother or sister, and teach them about the Savior (see Luke 2).
    
    
17. If you’ve saved some money by giving free gifts this Christmas, you can pay a generous fast offering next month.

Many of these ideas are taken from Idea List: Priceless Gifts from the December 2002 Liahona