By Jennifer Hallmark

Every year, our family looks forward to Christmas Eve dinner at our house. We usually have around thirty people, eating and fellowshipping in our spacious garage that we transform into a den each holiday. After we’ve enjoyed the turkey and ham and tasted the desserts, we gather for the highlight of the evening, Yankee Swap—or what we call “Dirty Santa.”

We all bring wrapped gifts of similar value and place them under the tree. After the presents are distributed, everyone picks a number and the fun begins. The presents are chosen, then opened. Number one has the first and last choice. Usually, one gift stands out that everyone wants. It is passed around but after the third swap, it’s considered safe and can’t be traded again. There’s a lot of laughter and fussing, all in good fun. This year, we’re adding a new element to the game, bringing decorative coffee mugs filled with goodies. Not too expensive but sure to be fun.

It might surprise you to know that our tradition began during a time of grief. We’d always had our Christmas Eve dinner at my mother-in-law’s home until her declining health caused us to move it to our house. When she passed away, we all agreed that we needed to change some things to help with the healing. It was a gift of kindness to ourselves. We still met on Christmas Eve but added the Christmas swap. Now I can’t imagine Christmas without it.

Don’t be afraid to try something new this year, especially if you’re going through a difficult season. Kindness should be given and received. Like our family, it might just become a joyful Christmas tradition.

Click to tweet: Small Acts of Kindness: A Joyful Christmas Tradition. Don’t be afraid to try something new. #Christmas #Santa