31 Random Acts of Kindness

The holiday season is all about giving, gifting, celebrating and indulging. Yet while we make our lists, scour the sales and try to keep to our budget, it’s easy to forget that it is the little things that can mean the most. One small gesture can make someone’s day and best of al, it makes you feel great. Seeing an unexpected smile or knowing you turned someone’s day around has this way of lifting your heart and theirs.

In the spirit of the season, and December starting tomorrow, here are a month of small acts of kindness that can have a major impact. Pin or save this, and try one a day… let me know how it goes!

1. Buy the person behind you at Starbucks (or your local coffee joint) a cup of coffee.
2. Visit a local soup kitchen with the kids.
3. Open the door for someone. If their hands are full, offer to help.
4. Let someone in front of you in line.
5. Sincerely compliment a stranger.
6. Let someone else take the good parking spot.
7. Bring a bag of used clothing, books and toys to goodwill.
8. Better yet, donate new toys to an area shelter. Let your kiddies pick them out with you, or have them put aside one birthday or holiday toy that they can gift to someone who needs it more.
9. Deliver a handwritten note of thanks to your local fire or police department.
10. Surprise your office with donuts or bagels (or a healthy treat!).
11. Leave an extra generous tip, along with a thank you note on the receipt, for your waitress.
12. Call, email or tweet a company to report great customer service.
13. Leave some change on the vending machine.
14. Tell someone they did a great job. Sincerely. And, mean it.
15. Donate blood.
16. Do a chore or task, at home or in the office, for someone without being asked.
17. Pick up litter.
18. Smile at at least three strangers.
19. Leave nice comments on social media.
20. Send in extra school supplies for your child’s classroom.
21. Drop a bag of outgrown kid’s clothing or toys on the doorstep of a neighbor who may need them.
22. Leave the magazine you bought at the airport on your seat when you are done so someone else can enjoy it.
23. Put your phone down. Look at people (friends, employees) in the eye.
24. Leave flowers on someone’s doorstep. Do it anonymously.
25. Call your parents to tell them you love them.
26. Bring flowers to a nursing home.
27. Give coupons for someone to use at the store, or hand out your extra Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons to that person that forget theirs.
28. Share your umbrella with someone who didn’t bring one.
29. Go over and talk to that person who looks shy or lonely.
30. Bring in your neighbor’s trash cans.
31. Cut someone some slack — we’re all in a rush this time of year — and be kind to someone you dislike. One good behavior could start a chain reaction.

The list is endless; look around your day and see how you can be kind to others. Whether it’s one of the above, holding an elevator door open, giving your extra change to the barista, filling someone’s expired parking meter, calling your grandma or grandpa, donate the good-quality stuff to a family or woman in need instead of making a few extra bucks, or just do something to make someone feel good. Last act of kindness: report back here with your success!