When you share small acts of kindness, you are doing more than you might think.
Giving has a supernatural effect on your spirit, soul (mind, will, emotions) and your body. When you spread cheer to someone else, you not only help someone but studies show giving is good for you! You elevate your own mood, and it will cause those who witness your generosity to also give. You may enjoy the feeling of giving so much that it turns into a giving spirit that lives on well past the holiday season.
“Give yourself entirely to those around you. Be generous with your blessings. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” — Steve Maraboli
A few of my friends who blog helped me compile a list of kind gestures you can do this holiday season and beyond:
1. Find opportunities to give compliments.
2. Be a parking meter ninjas and add more time to someone’s meter.
Some of our faves are being parking meter ninjas and adding more time, putting sample size packages of laundry soap in the laundromat, delivering a poinsettia to our elderly neighbours, putting candy canes in our neighbours’ mailboxes, and paying for people behind us in the store lines. One year, I cashed in all my pc points for a gift card, gave it to the cashier and told them to use it for the next person at the store – that was fun. – The Canadian Homeschooler
3. Volunteer at homeless shelter or food bank (with your kids).
Every year we adopt a family. We provide Christmas presents for each person based on a list they give us. We also provide Christmas dinner and some grocery cards for future. Our girls choose the toys and clothing for any children so they have the chance to experience it. I also volunteer with homeless and a food bank this time of year. – Sober Julie
4. Donate gently used toys to your local shelter.
Every year, we go through our toy room and find toys that are still in great shape and donate them to the local shelters as well as buy some new ones too. My kids know that the only way they can receive gifts is by giving those in need some too. I love seeing them part with their beloved toys in hopes to bring some smiles to children less fortunate – they admit that they love it too. – Lil Sugar
5. Leave a generous tip with your favourite server, paper deliverer or hairdresser. – Insight to LaLa’s World
6. Let your kids give their favourite toy to another child in need.
When I was about 5 years old I got a doll in a Christmas hamper and it meant the world to me. I loved that doll. I always knew that one day I wanted to be able to give back. For the past 4 years I have run a gift guide on my blog and items from the gift guide are donated to local families and local charities during the holidays. The first year I received a huge Barbie house in the gift guide. My daughters both really wanted a barbie house, but we gave it with the toys to charity and our girls never did get a barbie house of their own. It was a little hard that first year, but now our girls love giving the “mountains” of toys to those in need and they have learned how good it feels to give to others, even if you don’t get what you want. – Mommy Moment
7. Adopt a family.
One of the things we do every year is to look for someone to help as a family – it might be an angel we choose from one of the angel trees around town or we might find out about them otherwise, but it is always someone named Jessica. When she was only a baby, my brother’s daughter Jessica died and that very next Christmas, on the first angel tree I saw, there was an angel named Jessica who was exactly the same age my niece would have been. I knew that she was the one we were supposed to help and ever since, we have found a Jessica who needed us whom we could help in my niece’s honour and memory. – Creative Cynchronicity
8. Thank someone who impacted your life.
9. Bake some treats for your neighbours. – The Bewitchin’ Kitchen
10. Bring a box of toys to a children’s hospital. – TJZ Mommy
11. Let someone go in front of you in the grocery line. – The Bewitchin’ Kitchen
12. Give with compassion and without judgement. – Merry About Town
13. Donate pet food or toys for cats and dogs to an animal shelter.
14. Befriend a parent on a plane (I know what it’s like to travel alone with a baby).
15. Drop off homemade baking to your local food bank.
Christmas baking was a huge part of my childhood. I have kept up that tradition and not only bake for ourselves and to have as hostess gifts. But I also do Christmas baking that I donate to our local food bank. I get my family involved too, this year my kids, mom and sister helped out. Everyone should have special Christmas treats this time of year. – Little Miss Kate & Co
Even the smallest act of kindness can create considerable, long-lasting changes. The healing power of kindness is amazing, it has a ripple effect which always comes full circle.
‘…for whatever you sow, that will you also reap.’ – The Bible
What are some of the special ways you give back which could inspire kindness in others? Share your favourite acts of kindness in the comments below.
Great suggestions! I/my family have been very blessed with many RAOK throughout the past 2 years and we’ll forever be grateful. Each and every act brought joy to our hearts and has reminded us that there are still good/great people in this World!