First Baptist Dallas

Families are the heartbeat of this church. Whether you've got a car full or it's just the two of you, we've got some fun ideas to help you make the most of your time together this Christmas.

Wrap your Gifts with Personal—and Homemade—Style
Need a way to pinch a few pennies or just a creative outlet? Set your gifts apart from the rest with homemade holiday flair.

•    Make the wrapping a part of the gift: Simply buy plain white shelf paper or brown wrapping paper. Decorate the paper with stamps, paint, or free-hand design.
•    Have kids? Help your kids decorate their own Christmas paper with their handprints and personal designs. Wouldn’t grandparents treasure that “extra” gift for years to come?
•    Remember:
     o    Use red acrylic or tempera paint, put in a small dish or aluminum pie pan.
     o    Cover the floor or table with old newspaper or a drop cloth.
     o    Work with one color at a time.

Create New Treasures
As you prepare for incoming gifts, make more than space—create treasures for those in need.   

•    As a family, clean out closets, drawers, and toy boxes, making room for new presents. Plan what clothes and other household items can be given away to others.
•    If you have kids, help them go through their toy boxes and closets, focusing on what they can give away.
•    Deliver your “new treasures” together.  
•    Possible donation locations:
     o    DallasLIFE, a ministry partner of First Dallas
     o    Downtown Pregnancy Center, a ministry partner of First Dallas (baby items, toys, maternity clothes)
     o    Salvation Army

Keep Your Memories Bright
Don’t let a single year of memories fade.

•    Create a Christmas journal that you can add to each year.
•    Start this week by writing down your favorite 2009 Christmas memories—don’t forget:
     o    Favorite gift given and received
     o    New recipes tried
     o    Special guests
     o    Christmas activities attended or done
     o    How you spent Christmas Eve and Day
•    If you have kids, help them make their own book.
     o    Discuss highlights of the holidays.
     o    Have them write their “story” on heavy stock paper, leaving room for their illustrations. To make covers, use cardboard sealed with contact paper, punch holes on each page and bind with yarn or ribbon.

Even more ideas…
•    Host a classic holiday movie night for friends. It’s a Wonderful Life or Elf anyone?
•    As a family, make homemade treats, such as cookies or bread, for co-workers, neighbors, and teachers.
•    Make a family video—upload to your blog or Facebook page, or send DVDs to friends and family instead of a family newsletter.
•    Each week during the Christmas season, draw names for “secret pals” in your family. Pals can do kind deeds for each other during the week.

Click HERE to check out what we've got going on at the church this December!