When we started this process we thought we'd be spending this Christmas in Africa, but things have worked out differently. We are so grateful to be spending the holidays with friends and family - treasuring every moment. We've been to parties, decorated sugar cookies with lots of kids, and read more than our share of Christmas books.  But, we know there's a lot more to Christmas than receiving and we thought we'd pass along one of our favorite ways for keeping things in perspective.

“Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” – Oren Arnold

Deliver the 12 Days of Christmas (anonymously)

Choose a family that's having a rough year - one that could use a little Christmas cheer. Here's what you do...for each day you attach a note to your secret package (preferably typed) that says "On the _th day of Christmas my true love gave to me..." (you fill in the day).  It's best to vary the delivery time so they won't know when to expect you- from really early to late at night. There are very few items that can't be left on the doorstep long.  I'll let you know which ones. 

Tips: Make sure they'll be home the entire 12 days. Scope out the house before you go.  Find a place to park where they won't see your car if they come out.  Leave the driver in the car, car running, interior lights off, door open. Make a plan - how will the deliveries be made, who will sit the package down and who will knock/ring the bell, how you will all rendezvous at the car, what to do if you get caught ("you got us. see if you can get us again."), hand signals, strategy (go to the backdoor occasionally if you can get to it or you might want to ring the doorbell and knock on the back door at the same time).  Be as quiet as possible!  Wear dark clothes (hoods are good).

1st day:  partridge in a pear tree...6 cans pears arranged as a tree, bird ornament on top

2nd day:  2 turtle doves...2turtle candy bars with 2 pieces of dove chocolate on top

3rd day:  3 french hens...3 frozen Cornish hens in a container with a French flag (can be homemade)

4th day:  4 calling birds...4 bird ornaments arranged on a piece of  foam core with a toy cell phone in the center

5th day:  5 golden rings...5 warms glazed donuts, DELIVER VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING

6th day:  6 geese a laying...small basket with 6 plastic Easter eggs full of candy. Attach a not that says,"The geese have finished laying eggs and have already flown south for the winter."

7th day:  7 swans a swimming...1 aluminum basting pan, pitcher of water colored blue, 7 rubber duckies. *Include a note that says "These 7 swans are still in their ugly duckling phase" Works best if you bring the water in a pitcher and pour it in once the pan is set...quickly and quietly:)

8th day:  8 maids a milking...EITHER 8 small Christmas pails filled with choc/straw/reg milk OR 8 cartons of milk. *Include a note that says "The maids were here milking, but they've finished and gone home. They left you a treat!" (this one should not sit out too long, unless it's really cold - make sure they're home)

9th day:  9 ladies dancing...this requires some artistic talent and some work:) Look online for a silhouette of a ballerina. Get a roll of drawing paper (you could probably use freezer paper). Fold the paper like an accordion making sure there are at least 9 folds. On the top piece draw the outline of a ballerina, being sure that at least one hand and/or one foot go off the side of the page (so they'll all connect once they're cut out). Cut them out. When unfolded you should have a string of 9 ballerinas all connected. Tape together several pieces of cardboard until they're as long as your string of ballerinas (I think we used leftover shirt boxes) and wrap them in a bright solid colored paper. Glue the ballerinas on the front. Get at least 3 wire stakes for holding up yard sale signs (the kind that look like a thin metal post with a circle at the top that you slide your sign into) When you deliver these it's best to put one stake on either end and one in the middle. Stake them in the yard, facing the door. (alternative...9 ballerinas on top of a cake)

10th day:  10 lords a leaping...the Riverdance DVD "Lord of the Dance"

11th day:  11 pipers piping...get a CD with bagpipe music. This is best if you have an old CD player (battery operated) or can find one at a garage sale or thrift store that you can leave. Put the CD in the player and blast the bagpipe music early in the morning. If you can't find a CD player, just leave the CD.

12th day:  12 drummers drumming. We got an 8 pack of ice cream drumsticks and a 4 pack (to make 12). (this one can't sit out very long - make sure they're home)  You can leave a card that says Merry Christmas if you like.

Any of these can be changed...just use your imagination. You'll find that you are blessed by the experience as much as the family who receives the gifts!