Happy Tuesday, friends!
It’s Kendall here today with a very special blog post. Ready to fill ALLLLL warm and fuzzy?
Sometimes we get so busy attending parties, buying gifts, and getting caught up in busy schedules that we forget what the holidays are all about! It’s easy to think that you don’t have time this year to go out of your way to make a difference, but the reality is, you can make a huge impact in someone’s life any day of the week, with such little effort. You just have to look for opportunities to present themselves!
So–in the true spirit of the holidays, we took to Instagram stories and asked you guys about your favorite random acts of kindness, and your experience on both the giving and receiving end! Your responses were so beautiful and heartwarming–we’ve rounded them all up below to give you tons of ideas and inspiration on how you can easily make someone’s day this holiday season and any day of the year.
I’ll go first to kick us off.
The best act of kindness I’ve ever received from a stranger was when my friend and I left a restaurant in New Orleans that wasn’t in the best part of town. Our car wouldn’t start and we were beginning to panic as it was now completely dark, when a woman who had heard us from her balcony struggling to start it, came down with cables to jump the car for us! I couldn’t believe it, partly because of the safety aspect- she had no idea who we were! It was the nicest gesture she totally went out of her way to do and it has always stuck with me!
Kindness is never a waste of time and some of these ideas are so simple, yet made such a powerful impact in people’s lives! If you could use a smile, and/or are looking for acts of kindness ideas to give, this post is for you! Without further ado:
Random Acts of Kindness Ideas to Implement Today:
1. Buy coffee for the person in line behind you
This was by far the most submitted act of kindness, and for a great reason! What better way to start your day off than with a kind gesture from a stranger? Plus, this act tends to have an amazing ripple effect! Consider starting the chain the next time you stop in for a cup of coffee! Another reader who works at Starbucks said that oftentimes one person will start this, and it will keep going for hours! ❤️I love this so much!
2. Make your friend who is going through a sad or stressful time a happiness jar filled with compliments
I love this one! Check out this list of compliments that have nothing to do with physical appearance for inspiration!
3. Sing or play with the baby in front or behind you in line so moms can checkout with ease
Of course offer your assistance beforehand, but this is a sweet gesture that can make a mom’s outing so much easier!
4. Offer to help someone across the street under your umbrella in the rain
So simple, so nice!
5. Send a just-because card, snail mail!
As Hannah put it, “Handwritten cards are better than 80% of gifts.”
6. Send a care package to those who are going through a health diagnosis/crisis
Make a homemade package or go straight to the experts- Small Packages makes curated gift boxes (each at three price points–$35, $50, $100) for all occasions (good and bad). Use code JESSKEYS for 15% off!
7. Pay it forward!
This idea comes from Annie who said, “I saw a woman give a homeless man her blanket, so then I bought her a Starbucks to pay it forward!” The next time you see someone doing something nice, consider treating them as a thank you, or pay it forward to someone else!
8. Leaving out goodies, sodas or water for the hardworking delivery folks during the holidays
I just saw a cute video that captures how sweet this gesture is! Such a simple way to thank your delivery/mail men and women. I’ve seen Kathleen post the same thing on her stories–such a nice idea!
9. Go out of your way to get the door for someone with a stroller, wheelchair, or anyone!
Also, eye contact and a friendly smile can go along way!
10. Venmo a friend $10 for a pick-me-up after a bad day
This literally takes no time at all! Tell her its for a glass of wine, or even an Uber home from work so she can get into her PJ’s faster and doesn’t have to take the subway!
11. Leave a coworker a compliment post-it on their desk
Also a nice idea for partners or roommates who stay up late working/writing/studying!
12. Give a compliment (especially at work)
So simple, but so impactful. Office morale is everything and compliments and acknowledging good work can go a long way in boosting that!
13. Bring a snack/coffee to your next appointment
The next time you see your hairdresser, therapist or manicurist, consider bringing them a pick-me-up!
14. Pay off someone’s layaway at Walmart
It’ll be a wonderful surprise when they come to pick it up!
15. Knock on a neighbor’s door
Abbey said it made her whole day when a neighbor came by to give her cookies and compliment her Christmas tree! It’s the little things sometimes that make the biggest difference.
16. Encourage people who are working hard
I love this one, because it’s so universal, takes NO time and NO money! Whether it’s the person next to you at a workout class, a construction worker out in the heat or a cashier dealing with a long line, give them a compliment acknowledging their hard work and encourage them to keep going!
17. Check on senior neighbors
Whether it’s checking in, bringing a meal or helping them out with yard work, paying senior neighbors a visit is a great act of kindness!
18. Help the mom struggling to get through airport security solo
I get anxious just watching parents try to get their strollers, babies and luggage through security! Solo parents always appreciate an extra hand when it’s offered! Also, when you see a kid having a meltdown in public, give them a friendly smile–or better yet, tell them it’s okay and that they’re doing a great job!
19. Adopt a family at Christmas, leave a huge bag of presents on their doorstep, and never tell anyone
Sam’s family takes note during the year of any local families who are going through a particularly hard time, and surprises them at Christmastime by leaving a huge bag of presents on their doorstep. They never reveal this to anyone!
Other acts of kindness GG readers have received:
Jill says her brother and sister-in-law paid for her new car tires.
How nice!!!
D says, “A woman at the airport restaurant secretly paid for my partner and I’s dinner for no reason!”
I love this! A lot of you said you like to pay for drinks/coffee for people at the airport, too. What a great way to boost someone’s fun vacation or brighten their travels if its a gloom occasion.
Samantha’s coworker baked an extra item for her at an office potluck when she was going through a tough time.
I love this idea! Consider baking double for your next potluck for coworkers who have a lot going on! (Would be so great for a new mom or dad, too!)
“After a tough year, an anonymous person left a nail salon gift card in my mailbox” -Rachel
I love the anonymous angle!
“Once I told someone I was interested in the book she was reading. She had just finished and just gave it to me–– it made my day!” – Julia
After her father passed away, Julian’s friend sent her outfits for the funeral and wake.
What an incredibly kind gesture during an unimaginably difficult time! The last thing you want to worry about is what to wear––what an amazing friend!
“In a fender bender while traveling, the other party took me to their house for tea because I was so shaken up” – Leah
Such a good example of not focusing on silly little things and prioritizing kindness instead!
Morgan says a stranger changed her flat tire in the grocery store parking lot in their church clothes!
This made me think of my father in law. So something he would do!
“A stranger witnessed someone hitting my car, followed them, called the police, and left a note on my car with all the details” – Andrea
WOAH. That is next-level good Samaritan!!
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In closing, one final idea I wanted to share if you’re looking to help those who could use our support this holiday season–Liz of Pure Joy Home asked her readers to nominate families that could use our help this year, and made it super easy to buy for them via Amazon Wishlists! All the details are in her blog post here––it takes two seconds to add an item or two to your cart, and it will make a world of difference to one of the families who are in need of extra love this year! Thanks for putting this together, Liz!
