Today, when the girls wake up, they will discover that our kindness elf, Sarah, is back!
Sarah's been a fixture in our lives now for a VERY long time. I wrote my first Kindness Elf post on this blog back in 2015 (you can find it here if you're interested). Typically, she returns each December; she moves around each day, asking the girls to perform various acts of kindness throughout the month.
Last year, Sarah came super early (November 1st), telling the girls that she may not move around quite so much, giving them a little more time to complete her assigned task instead of rushing through everything in December.
Each year, Sarah asks my girls to:
- fill Operation Christmas Child boxes
- prepare and deliver gifts for others: cousins, grandparents, coaches, teachers, sisters, etc.
- purchase items for our local Angels anonymous program
- donate food items to the food bank
- donate or sell toys and books; $ raised goes to a charity of some sort
- make treats for the birds
- prepare and mail out Christmas cards
- extend thanks to local essential workers
- make bookmarks for the library (to pass along to patrons)
Some years, Sarah has also asked my girls to:
- be kind to the earth, by recycling or upcycling
- do something special for a pet
- give a compliment
- hold the door for someone
- let someone else go first
- say please and thank you
- cheer someone on at a hockey game
Of course, "Sarah" looks at our schedule (and all that we have going on), and she carefully plans her requests. She is also mindful of community events and helps us engage in those as well!
Sometimes, Sarah has brought a little something "extra" for the girls … a small gift here and there thanking them for all of their acts of kindness. Sarah always tries to ensure these little gifts provide an "experience" or foster "connection" or quality time spent together (like a new nail polish, for example).
In 2022, Sarah layered in a bit of a treasure hunt, and with the clues provided, the girls slowly collected a number of uniquely-shaped cookie cutters and cookie baking supplies. These are used (obviously) to bake cookies together, but we've also used them with salt dough and play dough as well.
This year, Sarah has opted to borrow a ton of Christmas books from the library. Each day for the next month and a half-ish, the girls will get to unwrap a "new" book, and we will all read it together. This will be most exciting for the younger girls, but I will be sure to "draw in" my oldest too for these special night-time reads. If things are too hectic in the evening, perhaps we'll take a moment to read our book at the breakfast table. On the day Sarah leaves, she'll leave a special book for each girl to keep. I am honestly so excited about this little addition to our long-standing tradition!
Let the Kindness Elf adventure begin (again)!
***
Psst …
Here's a copy of Sarah's 2023 arrival letter and 2022 departure letters (copy and paste and tweak / use in whatever way you like):
Arrival Letter:
Phew! I made it! Thank goodness for all this fresh snow! It made getting here a whole lot easier! I know. I know. I'm pretty early again this year, but I know how busy and time consuming it can be to get ready for such a special time of year … CHRISTMAS!
You know that I always give you lots to do (encouraging you to spread oodles of kindness and cheer at this time of year), so I thought maybe I would not move around quite so much while I'm here (but I'll continue to keep an eye on you each day)! I'll give you a bit more time between each task to get it WRAPPED up (Ha! Ha!) and/or ready to go!
Watch for my little "extra" surprises this year wrapped in special brown paper!
I hope you will always remember that warm, fuzzy feeling inside when you are kind and generous with others. I want you to work especially hard to be kind to one another. You're VERY blessed to have one another you know! A sister is one of the greatest gifts in the world! *I know, I know … I say that every year!
Remember, you can squeeze me and kindly touch me, but don't pick me up or I'll get LOST and confused!
I can't wait to report to Santa all the good you have done again this Christmas season!
Get started this week with filling these Operation Christmas Child boxes! They need to be all wrapped up and ready to go by Friday!
Have fun!
Love Sarah
***
Departure Letter (I'll have to tweak this yet for 2023):
Hello Mackenzie, Madilyn, and Cambri!
Just letting you know that I'm heading back to the North Pole today … a tiny bit early, because Santa really needs my help with a few last minute preparations!
I will be happy to report to Santa all of the wonderful things you've been doing for others this holiday season … toy and food bank donations, preparing and wrapping gifts for others, colouring bookmarks, and delivering presents … the list goes on and on … you should be very proud of all the ways you've made this Christmas season special for others!
It's been so fun being here with you all for an extra month this year!
I especially loved the scavenger hunt! I hope you did too!
See you all next year!
Merry Christmas!
Love Sarah
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