Random Acts of Kindness

Give back this Christmas season by doing some random acts of kindness. It’s a great way to make some’s day better and get you in the holiday spirit.

We just finished up one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. Black Friday doesn’t always show humanity’s best side. Now it’s GivingTuesday, and it’s the perfect time to give back and show another side of humanity.

It doesn’t matter if you have a lot of money or none to spare, there are ways for everyone to get involved today. We spend a lot of the year disagreeing and arguing, let’s spend at this one day coming together to do some good.

What can spread holiday joy better than kindness? Nothing! And it’s not just those you show kindness to that benefit, it’s really hard to feel stressed and unhappy when you’ve brightened someone’s day.

Why not do some random acts of kindness for GivingTuesday? Better yet make a list of ones to do all season long! Don’t just give back today, keep giving back.

Random Acts of Kindness

1. Buy a stranger’s coffee.
2. If you shop someplace like Aldi where you use a quarter for a cart, put some quarters in the carts when you leave.
3. Take some holiday treats to nurses, firefighters, teachers, or cops in your town to thank them for what they do.
4. Leave a bigger than normal tip.
5. Leave a treat in your mailbox for the mailman. Be sure to leave a note on it so they know it’s for them.
6. Take some pet food to your local shelter. Blankets and toys are also appreciated.
7. Take flowers to a local hospital and ask the nurses to give them to a patient that needs cheering up.
8. Donate some books to your local library.
9. Give to a food bank.
10. Go through your coats and see if you have some to give to a coat drive or local shelter.
11. Ask your kids if they have any toys they don’t play with anymore that they’d like to donate to other kids. Or buy some new ones for a toy drive.
12. If you have snow, clear a neighbor’s sidewalk.
13. Make “love packs” and keep them in your car to give to any homeless people you see.
14. Donate blood.
15. Do a family member’s chores.
16. Offer to put up an elderly person’s Christmas lights or help with other Christmas related chores.
17. Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
18. Volunteer to wash dogs at a local shelter.
19. Write and send cards to soldiers.
20. Give a stranger a compliment.
21. Hold the door for someone.
22. Send a card to someone that’s having a hard time.
23. Pick up litter around your neighborhood.
24. Give someone your place in line.
25. Go through your clothes and donate what you no longer want.
26. Buy some gloves for a local homeless shelter.
27. Run out and give the trash/recycling people a treat.
28. Pay someone’s layaway.
29. Visit a nursing home, just talk to people, take flowers, play board games, or sing carols with friends.
30. Offer to return someone’s shopping cart.
31. Give a hot drink to a Salvation Army bell ringer.
32. Leave a little gift on someone’s porch. It can be candy, a roll of wrapping paper and tape, a box of hot cocoa, whatever you want. Attach a little note saying it’s a random act of kindness and to pass it on.
33. Make or buy a bird feeder.
34. Offer to make a meal for someone that needs a break.
35. Find coupons for some products, leave them with the products in the store.
36. Give your favorite waiter a Christmas card and treat or gift card.
37. Give someone in line at the grocery store a gift card for that store.
38. Leave quarters at the laundry mat.
39. Take Christmas cards to a local nursing home.
40. Send a get well card to a sick friend.
41. Take some classroom supplies to a teacher or two. By now many teachers are running low and have to use their own money to buy more.
42. Take coloring books and crayons to a local hospital waiting room.
43. Call or email a loved one you haven’t talked to in a while.
44. Donate to a cause anonymously in honor of a friend.
45. Offer to help a new mom wrap her gifts.
46. Make a gift for a friend.
47. Buy a friend’s favorite candy and leave it on their porch while they are gone.
48. If you are traveling and staying at a hotel, leave a nice tip and Christmas card for the maid when you leave.
49. Pay someone’s late fees at the library.
50. Send a thank you note to someone you are grateful for.

Also, be sure to share this list to encourage others to do some random acts of kindness. And spread the word about Giving Tuesday, use #GivingTuesday to share ways you are giving back today on social media.

If we all show just a little more kindness the world will be a better place!

Skip the stress this Christmas. Check on A Stress-Free Christmas: A Complete How-To Guide.

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