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In my house, we’re all about “the cookie.”
Especially, the Christmas cookie. You too? Then, here’s an easy outreach event you can tailor for small groups, local churches, or even just your own kids – all designed around the idea of the Christmas cookie!
Last year, the women of our church plant organized a Christmas Cookie Outreach Event to invite the community to our Christmas Eve service and help get the word out about our church.
Here’s how we did it:
The Cookies: Each woman baked a couple dozen cookies and brought them on a pre-arranged day to a church member’s house. Those who were “baking-challenged” brought hot chocolate mix, marshmallows, or Christmas candy.
The Trimmings: Each woman also brought some extra ribbon, clear cellophane bags, tape, bows, and baskets. We didn’t really over-organize this part simply because most women seem to have extra wrapping supplies on hand. We just asked everyone to bring whatever gift wrap they could spare. Because we knew we would be filling baskets, we did ask one person to bring basket-sized cellophane bags.
The Fun Part: We met early on a Saturday morning so Dads could stay home with the kiddos. We spent a couple of hours dividing the cookies and filling baskets with an assortment of cellophane bags filled with cookies. Our pastor’s wife hosted the event and provided some coffee and breakfast treats to munch on while we worked.
The Gospel: We attached an invitation to our church’s Christmas Eve Service to each cookie basket or tied them to the outside of the cellophane bag. We also included a card with information about our church and a map, as well as a gospel tract.
The Recipients: We delivered baskets to businesses around our church and to community members. Because I had a hair appointment after we wrapped our cookies that day, I delivered a cookie basket to my salon. It opened the door for me to talk to several of the hair stylists about our church and to extend a personal invitation to our Christmas worship service. I also took a basket to neighbors I knew did not attend a church.
Because we held our “assembly party” close to Christmas Eve, we were able to give away the remaining baskets to staff members of the hotel were we hold our worship services. Each week, the hotel staff serves our church by setting up our rooms and responding to our varied requests. The cookie baskets were a small way to express our thanks, communicate to the workers more about our church, and get a tract in their hand.
A Christmas Cookie Outreach Event is easy to pull-off without a lot of planning. It’s also a great way to involve children in the life of your church if childcare is an issue.
Need some Christmas treat inspiration for your own outreach event? Follow my pinterest board, Holiday Tummy Love! And be sure to check out this recipe for Chocolate Chip Walnut cookies or Pumpkin Molasses cookies from my gal pal, Nive, over at HandfulofJoy.com.
What does your church do to reach out to the community during Christmas? Share your ideas in the comments!
Today I’m linking up with these awesome ladies:
What a great idea! And who doesn’t love cookies?:)
Such a great idea friend.We are certainly doing some of this at family level,if not at church level!
What a great idea Melissa! I love how simple it is and like you said, “easy to pull off.”
Love this, Melissa! I love that that the Gospel is at the focus of this practical outreach! Thanks for linking up!
Love this idea!! I also like the use of the term gal pal!! I love saying that and praying that women have godly gal pals in their life!!
I just found this through Pinterest and I love it! I’m trying to decide if I have time to do this for this Christmas! Thank you!!