Avoid the last-minute run around that leads to exhaustion.  Use these ideas to prepare your team so the children attending your Kid’s Church have the best Christmas ever!

Make a List and Check It Twice

Don’t try to keep everything in your head.  Make a list. That way you can show it to others!  Making a list (with dates) will help you grasp what needs to get done and how much time you have to accomplish everything.  After the celebrations, keep your list with notes about what went well and what didn’t and why.  Then you’ll already be ahead for next year!

Deck the Halls

• Declutter and rearrange furniture allowing space for games and your Christmas break-up party
• Throw away any rubbish (unclaimed crafts, half used puzzle and colouring in sheets)     
• Decorate your space:  use a combination of gathered decorations and crafts made by the children e.g. paper chains

Here’s a free Christmas lesson called The Christmas Paper Chain: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/The-Christmas-Paper-Chain-Challenge.pdf

O Come All Ye Faithful

Make a time to meet with your volunteers to…

• Decorate the room
• Wrap and tag the presents
• Decide on who does what jobs: Games, Storytelling, Memory Verses, Crafts
• Make a shopping list and designate who buys what
• Decide on food for your break-up party (what sort, plates etc., making it, setting up, clearing)
• Pray and worship together!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Communication is important and don’t assume anything!  Give every volunteer a copy of the program with their dates and jobs highlighted.  Make sure everyone knows what they need to do and when.   

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Keep families informed of your Christmas programs using newsletters, posters and social media.  Especially if they are required to bring a plate of food to share or find a costume for a Christmas play!

Ding Dong Merrily On High

• Make a Christmas music playlist and organise your YouTube videos
• Carols (Traditional)
• Christmas songs (Feelin’ Like Christmas, The Best Present of All is Jesus) 

What Child is This?

What have you got in place for visiting children? 

• Do you need a Christmas welcome pack for them to take home?
• Make sure you have extra gifts
• Ensure reception has extra forms and name tags

Ah, Dearest Jesus

Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season!  Keep Jesus at the centre of everything.  And preach the Gospel at the end of every Bible story especially if there are visiting children.  Jesus’ arrival is the Good News the angels rejoiced over and what the shepherds excitedly proclaimed through the streets of Bethlehem.    

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

You did it!  After your Christmas program is concluded, ensure you and your wonderful volunteers have a well-earned rest.  I mean it.  Take some time to laugh and play and reminisce. Christmas is for you and your volunteer’s families, too!