Even as we are out spending money on gifts for our loved ones, we are surrounded by people for whom the holidays are challenging. They may feel stressed, alone, depressed, or be having financial difficulties.
So, I encourage you to take the spirit of the season to a new level by giving in little random ways that can make all the difference for someone in need. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Smile at strangers
- Leave a large tip
- Pay for the person behind you in line
- Visit a nursing home
- Invite someone without local family to your holiday gathering
- Buy extra pet food and donate it to a shelter or rescue group
- Give blood
- Put change in an empty parking meter
- Send flowers to brighten someone’s day
- Bring treats for your office mates
- Adopt a homeless animal
- Leave hidden love notes for your family
- Donate money, clothing, or anything that will support charity
- Let someone go ahead of you in line
- Volunteer your time to help others
- Hold the door open for others
- Be a Secret Santa for someone in need
- Support local charities and businesses
- Thank your local police and/or fire departments
- Send a heartfelt letter of appreciation to someone
- Pick up trash
- Adopt a family, senior, child, or soldier for the holidays
- Contribute to a toy or food drive
- Go Christmas caroling
- Hug someone
- Listen to someone who needs to talk
- Compliment people around you
- Give away your parking spot
- Shovel someone’s walkway or clean their yard
- Leave a nice comment on a blog or Facebook post
And, may the holiday kindness you share return to you in many ways.
Happy Holidays!
Related Posts:
How to Plan for a More Simple & Meaningful Holiday Season
#11 and 22 are done 😀
Bravo! I was thinking of you as I added #11 and hoping others would like the idea.
Great ideas!! Thanks for sharing with us!
Your are welcome. Let me know if you have any ideas to add to the list.
SO many great ideas! I love random acts of kindness – especially this time of year!
Me too! I just baked a loaf of pumpkin bread and took it to the women who work at the library. It was fun watching their faces light up when I gave it to them.
I did number 3 a couple of times and everyone though i was nuts. They just could not believe a total stranger would pay for someone else’s shopping.
1 – always. 11 – 3 times and they are beautiful. 6 – I’m buying the stray cats food for Christmas (the dogs will not be pleased). 12 – I’ll do that for mum when I go home tomorrow. 13 – all the time. 25 – I love hugs. 26 and 30 – yes.
Lovely simple ideas.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful choices!