Christmas is the perfect time to shower your helpers with seasonal love. According to my own local polling, many volunteers feel unappreciated or forgotten during this time of year. Honor your team with some recognition and gifts for Christmas.
Even the occasional volunteer should be recognized. Promote feelings of goodwill and thankfulness by surprising volunteers with Christmas keepsakes. Click here to add your own ideas to our list.
#1 Christmas Ornaments
I church attend previously had a lovely tradition of giving keepsake Christmas ornaments to their volunteers. Each year, the ornaments had a different theme. It was exciting to attend the “big reveal” to see what the ornaments were. No one in the church received those particular ornaments except the volunteers. It was special and blessed our hearts.
#2 Christmas Devotionals
Devotionals feed the soul all year round. Seasonal devotionals focus on sharing the holiday message for a month. Write an inscription in the front of the book and give Christmas devotionals to the volunteers on your team.
#3 Monogrammed Goodies
Monogrammed accessories are personalized gifts women love receiving. For all the ladies on your list, give a monogrammed fabric covered clipboard, polka dotted keychain or travel mug. A tote bag, ball cap and slippers, all monogrammed are good gifts too.
#4 Christmas Trees
Sometimes we as ministers are so buy ministering to others that we forget our “right hand man” or “woman.” Surprise the team with Christmas trees this year. Order some live trees and make home deliveries. Don’t wait until the last minute to do this or your team may already have a tree.
#5 Christmas Hams
A Christmas ham makes the holiday meal special. Order and pick up a Christmas ham for every volunteer. Alternatively, you could give volunteers smoked turkeys or Cajun turkeys instead.
#6 Eye Opener
Volunteers need a little pep sometimes. Give them an eye opening gift that they will appreciate. Buy a large coffee mug and place a bag of gourmet coffee or box of tea in the mug. Wrap it up with cellophane. Herbal teas are nice choices too.
#7 Spa Gifts
Hard working helpers deserve some pampering. Give spa gifts to volunteers to help them relax during their down time. Buy baskets of scented shower gels, hand towels and a loofah. If your budget is a little larger, you might consider buy spa gift certificates. Make your spa trip a fun outing to enjoy before or after Christmas.
These are a few ideas to use to get you started. The best advice is to consider your volunteers personalities and interests before selecting a Christmas gift for volunteers.
Editor’s Note: You can also find some helpful Christmas gift ideas from the Inside Northpoint Kids blog.