Another idea is the Secret Santa. We've done it several ways, but it will take planning. #1) Pick some family that has had it rough and for 12 days leave something on their porch. Its usually done like the 12 days of Christmas. For example, Day 1 would be some pears in a basket and a cute note, 2 could be 2 frozen hens or gift card for a dinner. We liked the 5 BIG oranges for the 5 golden rings, and 8 milk chocolate bars for day 8. On the 12th day its just 12 items from the dollar store that are fun or useful. I remember one year we did a family that had 3 kids and had lost the fourth child earlier in the yr. Christmas wasn't going to be very happy for them, and we decided to Secret Santa them. Since neither my dh or I can run (much less run fast), we had someone else deliver for us. They were getting too curious about who it was, so on the last day we arranged for the delivery to be made while we were visiting. It was such a blessing to see how something so simple could mean so much to these people. It was such a blessing and I'll never forget how happy it made them.
The way we do it most of the time now is pick 12 people who need a little encouragement and we make up 12 baskets of al kinds of goodies, little games, etc. and set them on the doorstep at night. They fine it later or in the morning. We never tell them who it is or let on in any way. We don't get a thank you, or pat on the back, but we do get immense pleasure sharing the Christmas Spirit of giving . If you can try it and see what a blessing it is!
Vivian