Holiday Acts of Kindness and Joy

It’s easy to get caught up in the magic of the holidays. Everywhere you look, you can see bright, twinkling lights on homes, magical displays in storefronts, gorgeous decorations on trees, and so many delicious and festive foods to devour.

The holidays generally bring about joy in people. As we decorate our houses, we feel joy. Hanging the stockings on the mantle brings us joy. Writing out all our Christmas cards may not exactly bring us joy (so many cards…), but we certainly know we will put a smile on the face of the person opening the card! Baking & eating Christmas cookies is always tasty. Spending time with friends and family creates so many memories, too. There are so many holiday traditions to enjoy.

Maybe this year, you can add another tradition to your holidays. Let’s work on spreading the message of the holidays in new ways this year, starting with kindness. Kindness can be such a simple thing, but it is SO incredibly important and rewarding. I pray you already see and feel plenty of kindness, but I know the world can always use more.

Some of these ideas are simple; some are more complex. Many ideas can be done individually (by you or your child) or as a family to show your kids how important it is to share joy always, but especially this time of year. The holidays are not always a happy time for everyone, so let’s work to make it a joy-filled season.

Holiday Acts of Kindness and Joy:

• Call or FaceTime a loved one

  
  

• Send a holiday card to a few people who aren’t typically on your “Holiday Card List” (or send a few cards if you don’t normally send any). Cards from kids are even better – think of the smiles they will bring to the people receiving them.

  
  

• Shovel/snowblow for someone (if we get snow before the holidays – save for January if not)

  
  

• Invite someone new to your home

  
  

• Smile often

  
  

• Offer neighbors, extended family, or friends without family nearby to celebrate the holidays with your family

  
  

• Bring a co-worker coffee/tea

  
  

• Put someone’s shopping cart away for them

  
  

• Donate some extra school supplies to your child’s teacher

  
  

• Be extra kind in traffic – let someone merge in front of you or get the “good” parking spot

  
  

• Offer to bring someone a meal

  
  

• Paint a rock and leave it somewhere for someone else to find

  
  

• Bring in treats to the office

  
  

• Fill and put a bird feeder outside

  
  

• Bring a treat to the school secretary (or your office secretary)

  
  

• Send an old photo to a friend to remind them of the memory

  
  

• Do a chore for your brother/sister/parent so they don’t have to

  
  

• Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while

  
  

• Unload someone’s cart into their car for them

  
  

• Take your kids (or parents) out for a meal or treat just because

  
  

• Put coins in a red kettle

  
  

• Write someone a hand-written note – neighbor, teacher, co-worker, coach, parent, firefighter, police officer, school nurse, etc.

  
  

• Donate old toys and books

  
  

• Make a new friend

  
  

• Compliment someone

  
  

• Pay for someone behind you in the drive-thru/check out

  
  

• Offer to let someone with a few items go in front of your full cart in the checkout line at the grocery store

  
  

• Invite your grandparents over for dinner

  
  

• Write a simple thank you note to a family (you may or may not know) for putting up beautiful outdoor lights that your family regularly enjoys seeing

  
  

• Become an organ donor

  
  

• Encourage another mom

  
  

• Send a hug in the mail – We did this with my girls when they were first born, and we lived away from family. Many family members still have the project!

  
  

• Leave a coupon you won’t use near that item in a store

  
  

• Give blood

  
  

• Support a small business

  
  

• Play Christmas music

  
  

• Help someone wrap gifts

  
  

• Share baked goods

  
  

• Clean the snow off a vehicle

  
  

• Leave a generous tip for your waiter/waitress

  
  

• Make a get-well card for someone who is sick

  
  

• Volunteer at or donate non-perishables to a food pantry

  
  

• Write a letter to your own mom (or other influential person), thanking her for making the holidays special for you growing up

  
  

• Read a story to someone younger than you

  
  

• Help someone reach something (or find something) at the store

  
  

• Say please & thank you often

  
  

• Offer to watch your friends’ children so they can have a date night (or even just go grocery shopping alone)

  
  

• Hold the door open for someone

  
  

• Introduce yourself to a neighbor you don’t know yet

  
  

And remember, in the words of Elf/Will Ferrell, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear!”  Really, though, listening to holiday music this time of year always puts a smile on my face. I especially love hearing my kids sing Christmas carols!

I would love to hear other unique ideas you may have! Wishing you plenty of kindness and joy this holiday season and the new year ahead!

Original post by Anne on 12/13/17