For youth ministry holiday planning, don’t run yourself ragged. Instead, embrace simplicity to have greater impact on teens during this holy (and busy) season!
From the last porch light of Halloween through the last light of the Christmas tree, holiday schedules are packed. Christmas parties, staff get-togethers, and family dinners cram their way into our margins. And we haven’t even touched decorating, cooking, shopping, and wrapping.
The holidays can be exhausting. So how do we “gift” families, volunteer leaders, and even our own households some margin during this season? It’s tempting to take a red pen or sharp scissors to the calendar. Cancel it—whatever “it” is. But that’s a “New Year’s Resolution” sort of plan, unlikely to be kept.
So consider a few real-world options for building margin during the holidays—for you, your family, and the families you serve.
5 Tips for ‘Less Is More’ Holiday Planning
1. Hold your volunteer party some other time than December.
Amid the myriad of holiday gatherings that pull on families, volunteers will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Our children’s pastor hosted a very meaningful holiday gathering. The week before Thanksgiving, she hosted a “thankful banquet” for volunteers. They all shared how serving has impacted them. The pastor spoke gratitude over each leader and sent them home with dessert for their Thanksgiving table.
One year we hosted a New Year’s Day brunch instead of a Christmas party. It was the most highly attended volunteer appreciation I’ve ever done!
2. Rather than canceling programming to give volunteers a break, ask them to serve on a rotation during holiday months.
If you can maintain appropriate ratios for care and safety, let volunteers come every other week. Think about subbing-in for them to give small-group leaders and Sunday school teachers a respite from planning and preparation.
3. If canceling programming is part of the culture where you serve, offer something via video.
It’s a busy season, but we never want to lose focus on what the holidays are about. Video options also keep families engaged, even from a distance. If that isn’t possible, offer reading plans through YouVersion or another Bible-reading app. You can invite teenagers or leaders to participate with you. That way, discussion and reflection are happening even when the church doors are closed.
