I wanted to come up with a really creative gift idea this year for our youth leader Christmas party. Sure, you could take the easy road out and get Starbucks gift cards or a book that they’ll never read. But I’m really making an effort this year to show greater appreciation than ever before, so that wouldn’t do. What in the world could you get a leader staff of 23 people without completely breaking the bank?
So I talked to a couple of my key leaders & friends, Sarah Miller, Taylor Moser, & leader alum, Jessica Rein. They helped me develop what I call the 2012 Ultimate Youth Leader Coupon Book. 12 coupons for 12 days of Christmas. Simple idea that is going to lead to some meaningful time & incredible moments (most at my physical expense) in 2012. We simply cut strips of typed-paper, hole-punched, and tied with ribbon. Here is the full-list of coupons:
- BO-TIME with Brad — Cash in this coupon for a fast-food lunch…on me! (For non-Southerners, Bo-Time refers to Bojangles’ — heaven in a chicken box
- Rap Verse about You — I have a not-so-hidden-kind-of-embarrassing-talent of being able to rap. I promised the team a hip-hop track about the youth leaders.
- $5 Call/Text Back Voucher — This one is a little self-deprecating. It’s a running-joke that I’m not great at returning calls or texts, so this could hurt me. If I fail to call/text one of my leaders back within 24 hours, I will give them $5 cash if they turn in the coupon (redeemable once). Talk about accountability!
- Profile Pic Selection — Each individual team member can select any photo to be my Facebook profile picture for a week. Stephanie, my fiancee, however, has veto power (though I don’t think it will help much…
- Free Coffee with Brad — I buy coffee or any other hot beverage. Pretty straightforward
- Outfit Choice — I’ll wear any outfit that the youth leader chooses at any time, except for preaching/spiritual instances. Again, Stephanie has veto power (gotta protect myself)
- Fart Blame Card — This one is a little embarrassing & totally juvenile, but an inside-joke nonetheless. I usually blame farts on my youth leaders…now they can return the favor. Don’t you judge us, we work with teenagers!
- Dinner at the Chandler’s — I’m getting married in March and this is an invitation to dinner at my house. Pretty simple. Plus my future wife can cook like a dream!
- Random Prank at YouthQuake — Any prank/task that the leader picks, I will perform during announcements at our Wednesday service (i.e. pie in the face). Exceptions: No distractions. Once more, veto power to Stephanie.
- Free Hug — An awkward youth pastor side-hug. This one was just filler…I give those anyway!
- Staff Meeting Skip Pass — I cringed at giving this one and was deeply offended (not really) by the cheer that my team gave at this one. We have a weekly staff meeting at 9AM on Sundays. Who wouldn’t want to get a free skip. I may even use one!
- Video Blog Tasks — This final one will get the most interesting. Any video task/action will be filmed, performed, and posted right here at my blog. Oh boy…
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In total, there is potential at about $35 here! There are several things I wanted to accomplish through the book. First of all, intentional time & relationship-building is important to me in the new year. I want to make sure that I’m getting one-on-one, personal time with my fantastic leaders. This is what the lunch, coffee, and dinner coupons are about. Second, I wanted to honor the team for all of their hard work by rewarding & honoring them. That’s what the 9AM Skip Pass and rap song is about! Thirdly, I want to be a better leader, pastor, and friend. The call back voucher is going to make me step up this year in communicating with my team on a regular basis. Fourth, some are just funny: free hug/fart blame. And lastly, most importantly, we want to do a better job this year of MAKING MEMORIES. Most memories can happen at each other’s own expense and I’m looking forward to sticking my neck out there for the profile picture, prank, outfit choice, and video blog task. What do you think of the list? Anything you would add?
