YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. EXTENDED FAMILY CLOSENESS: Be a Friend checklist and postcard. Youth can send this “You’re a STAR of the family!” postcard to an extended family member with a note of admiration and friendship. Then, use the FAMILY CLOSENESS CHECKLIST for ideas to gather that family member closer.
GREAT FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH – Come Follow Me Lessons for: Primary, family home evening, Sunday School, Seminary, Bible Study
LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
Extended Family – Closeness checklist & postcard
Description: Youth can make time for extended family to include them in their circle of love. Use checklist-card to plan activities and send postcard with a love note to family member.
If they begin now to develop strong family ties, especially with their extended family, they will not be alone if and when they are separated from their immediate family. They will have someone they can call or communicate with when they are in need, and someone they can serve.
Steps to Become Close to Extended Family:
1. Plan. Use the “I will be a friend to extended family” checklist to plan what you will do to become close to that chosen family member.
2. Schedule Activities. Circle or highlight several things you wish to do in the following year to become close to that person. Schedule these actions on a calendar this week.
3. Send Postcard. Begin by sending this extended family member a postcard. Decorate the front, write a quick note, and send it off this week!
4. Do family history. Write in journals and search for names to take to the temple to do temple work for those who have passed on.
TO MAKE Print activity in color or black and white.
THOUGHT TREAT: Priesthood Power Cupcakes. Display 15 frosted cupcakes in the center of the table with the letters PRIESTHOOD POWER written in frosting on top (one letter per cupcake). Remind young women that this power given to worthy men can bless our lives.
MUTUAL NIGHT, Family Night, Sunday School, Seminary ACTIVITIES
GRAMMY AWARD NIGHT: Have the youth create a potluck dinner for a grandmother or grandfather. Have them spotlight the grandparent and award them with a Grammy Award cookie or a homemade certificate. The cookie could be a graham cracker to write “Grammy Award” with frosting in a tube. If grandparents are not close by, they could invite a senior who lives nearby. You could create an ice cream bar and make round graham-cracker cookies or other cookies to fill with ice cream.
Or, create a Queen or King for a Day! activity to entertain seniors (HERE shown above).
“RELTIVE”-LY FUN NIGHT: Create a fun night for youth to bring one of their favorite relatives they are close to. Take time to introduce the relative and allow them to share with the group special moments.
ORGANIZE FAMILY GREETING CARDS: Create greeting card storage pockets that youth can store their greeting cards months ahead to send to relatives. They can contact relatives to learn of their birth-day dates and make homemade cards to send.
To Create 12 Pockets (and label each with the month January – December): Cut an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of paper (cardstock) in thirds. Glue the bottom and sides of the 1/3 sheet of paper to an 8 1/2″ x 11″ inch sheet of cardstock paper (only gluing the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Three-hole punch pockets to place in a looseleaf binder. Youth can use 3″ x 5″ cards to place inside pockets to remind them of who they want to send cards for holidays, birthdays, etc. This is a great place to put “thank you” cards and “get well” cards ready to send. They also may want to have a special pocket for these addresses, stamps, and supplies to make greeting cards. Maybe get together as a group to make these ahead, sharing ideas.
FAMILY PHOTO SHARING: Have the youth bring some favorite family photos to show and tell about their extended family as they show photos. Ask them to tell one or two reasons why they love this extended family member; maybe even share how they have influenced them to make the right choices. Remind them that as they show their love to extended family members, they will create lasting memories they can share with their children and write about in their journals for posterity.
MORE WAYS TO BE A FRIEND TO EXTENDED FAMILY
Being a friend to extended family during the holidays doesn’t have to mean doing something big or spending a lot of money. Often, the simplest things make people feel seen, included, and loved.
Here are some easy, meaningful ways to show friendship to extended family during the holidays.
12 simple ways to be a friend (to a friend) or to family
1. Reach out FIRST. Send a quick text saying, “I’ve been thinking about you. How are you doing?”
2. Remember the little things. Ask about someone’s new job, health, kids, plans, or something they shared with you previously.
3. Sit with someone who is alone. At family gatherings, make an effort to include relatives who tend to sit by themselves or feel left out.
4. Offer a helping hand. Help prepare food, clean up, watch the kids, or carry things without waiting to be asked.
5. Give genuine compliments. Notice someone’s effort, outfit, cooking, kindness, or accomplishments.
6. Invite someone into your plans. If you’re going shopping, getting takeout, walking, or decorating, invite a relative (or a friend who needs to be included) to join you.
7. Listen without trying to FIX everything. Sometimes being a good friend (or a sounding board to toss ideas off with), simply means giving someone space to talk.
8. Check on those who may be struggling. Holidays can be lonely, especially for people experiencing loss, family changes, financial stress, or an empty nest (maybe they want to spread their wings and be a free flyer instead).
9. Share old memories. Bring up a funny family story or look through old pictures together, creating a sense of connection.
10. Send a handwritten note. A simple card saying, “I’m grateful you’re part of our family” can mean a lot.
DOWNLOAD the Extended Family Closeness checklist and postcard (HERE or above) to send.
11. Avoid gossip and family drama. Be someone who encourages, builds people up (without being gushy). During family gatherings have personal conversations without putting them in the spotlight (having one-on-one chats).
12. Follow up after the holidays. Don’t let your connection END when the celebration is over. KEEP IN TOUCH. Send a text or make a phone call after Christmas in January or month after the holiday.
Small things you can say
Sometimes we want to connect but don’t know what to say. Try these:
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“I’m really glad you’re here.”
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“How have you really been doing?”
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“I’d love to catch up with you sometime.”
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“Is there anything I can do to make your holiday easier?” might be okay to say, but if they are independent say: “How are things?” “I’m sure your’e keeping busy; do tell me.” “Any plans?”
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“I glad you part of our family.”
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“Let’s not wait until the holidays to get together again.”
Ways to show friendship to extended family:
One thought to remember
P.S. You don’t have to be the closest relative to be a good friend.
You can be the person who remembers, reaches out, LISTENS, encourages, includes, and makes others feel welcome.
Sometimes extended family members don’t need another holiday gift. They need to know they matter, that someone cares, and that they have a FRIEND within their own family.
These are GREAT GIFTS to give during the holidays.
SOURCE YW 3.11
