12 Days of Holiday Cheer

The winter months have many holiday celebrations such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Three Kings Day (Epiphany), and more! Here are some ideas that individuals and groups can do to help brighten our community during the winter holiday season! Please tailor these ideas to reflect the holiday you celebrate and comment below about other ideas or traditions that you incorporated. 

If you need help connecting to an nonprofit or organization in the Cedar Valley, visit our Agency page to view a list of all the organizations that are member agencies with us! You can always email or give us a call at 319-272-2087.

Secret Snowman ​Leave a special poem, a small gift, plant, or holiday story for a homebound neighbor, or someone in need.	Caring Food  Make your favorite holiday treat for someone special in your life - a teacher, neighbor, relative or friend.	Bird Extravaganza ​Decorate a tree for the birds. Cover pine cones with peanut butter and dip them in birdseed. String popcorn and cranberries. Hang cut up apples and oranges on the tree.	Holiday Kits ​Put together everything a child would need to make a present for a loved one. Contact a family or domestic abuse homeless shelter to distribute the kits.
Table Decorations Make a centerpiece or placemats for a local senior center or deliver some to Meals on Wheels.	Caring Calendar Interview an elderly neighbor or a relative and find out the important dates in their lives. Create a calendar with handmade pictures or photos and fill in special dates.	Hope Chest ​Fill a shoebox with small gifts and a card for a homeless child or someone that will be spending the holidays in the hospital.	Kitty and Puppy Love Bring cat and dog food, clean old towels and clean blankets to your local rescue shelter.
Soup to Share ​Make a container of homemade soup and give to someone who should know someone cares.	Deck the Halls ​Decorate a shelter, senior center or homeless shelter. Find out which holiday they celebrate and decorate accordingly.	Dessert Delivery Remember your garbage man, postal carrier, paper delivery person, and more and share some homemade dessert and a card.	Caring Family Meal ​This can be for your own family, a relative, a neighbor or all of the above. Serve with love.