Youth and Recreation Activity Resource Center
Activity and Resource Center
" Be Cool" A Summer Christmas Party for Youth
“Be Cool”
Invitation
Print the following invitation on a small Christmas tree made of green construction paper.
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Attach a list of items that the Youth are to bring one or more of to send to boys and girls who may not have Christmas gifts.
Try to get a list from a worker familiar with the needs. Suggest washcloths, soap, pencils, toys, toothbrushes, piece goods, thread, crayons, combs, hair ribbons, socks, shoestrings, Bible storybooks, and T-shirts.
Purpose
In many areas where missionaries work there are children who will not have gifts at Christmas unless someone provides them. For specific needs, contact a missionary well in advance and use this information in your publicity.
Decorations
No decorations will be needed for this outdoor party except the Christmas tree, either from the woods or artificial. If the party is held inside, an 
array of traditional decorations may be used.
Publicity
To announce this party, play a Christmas carol without any explanation. When the curiosity of the group is properly aroused, make a complete announcement about the Summer Christmas Party, giving time, place, and date. Explain purpose of gifts and what to bring.
Reception of Guests
Arrange a cold reception for a summertime Christmas party. Instruct each guest to submerge his right hand in icy water and, without drying it, shake hands with as many guests as possible, until his hand is dry.
Games
Cold shoulders.-Provide a good supply of ice cubes in an insulated container. Form a large circle with "It" in the middle and the other players standing shoulder to shoulder. Start one ice cube around the circle. Players may pass the ice from one to the other or may toss it from one side of the circle to the other. The object of the game is to keep "It" from getting the ice. When a cube has melted, begin with another. When "It" gets the ice, the person who allowed this to happen becomes the new "It." Every new "It" is given a new cube of ice. 
Cold acting. -Players sit on the ground in circle formation. Have the last person to be "It" in the last game begin this one. He must act out something cold or connected with cold weather.
For example: ice cream, milk shake, skates, jingle bells, overcoat, snowshoes, and refrigerator. The one guessing the pantomime gets a chance to perform. Keep on until most of the guests have shown their dramatic ability.
Cool heads. -Divide into teams (ten to twenty for each team).
Provide as many ice caps as there are teams and fill them with ice. Line up the teams in relay formation. Instruct the first person on each team to place the ice cap on the head of the second person, who must walk to a designated goal and back without using his hands. The first person on each team is the only one who may touch the ice cap. Also, if it falls off, only he can place it on the head of the next player. The team getting to the goal and back first is the winner.
Playing it cool.- Line up three rows of three chairs each, equal distances apart. This will suggest the nine blocks of a ticktacktoe board. Divide the teams into two sides with an equal number of players on each. Let the winning team in the last game lead out in playing human ticktacktoe.
Each player has a turn and may sit in any of the nine chairs not already occupied. The object of the game is to get three players from one side seated in a straight row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Players must refrain from telling anyone where he should sit. Give a point to the side who "Ticktacktoes" first.
Start another game by going right on down the line of players, with the losing side sending in the first participant. Play for several times. Cheer the winners with fifteen "Cools" instead of "Rahs."
The Christmas Tree
Since the guests are now properly cooled off, have the Christmas tree. Provide materials for making paper chains and other Christmas tree decorations.
If the setting is suitable, send out a scouting party to secure natural decorations such as seed pods, pine cones, and pretty vines.
Use lights or spotlight the tree with a color wheel. Generate a genuine Christmas spirit and get in the mood of a Christmas celebration.
Pack boxes of gifts to mail to missionaries.
Refreshments
Serve ice cream and cookies cut in the shape of Christmas trees.
Closing
Sing Christmas carols. Close with a prayer for the ones who will receive the gifts and for the missionaries who work with them. Have the gifts mailed as soon as possible.