Christmas is right around the corner, and everyone should be in good spirits. With everything going on during this time of year, we could all use a little pick-me-up. This winter, my mom tried to get our family to do the ever-popular RACKs – Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. I know, it sounds a little ridiculous, but this is a great way to spread joy to those around you. I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t done all of these yet, but here are the top 12 RACKs you should try this season.
Pay for someone’s meal.
Money is always tight come Christmas time, so this is always a very nice thing to do. Paying it forward is one of the best ways to spread the holiday cheer.
Bring food and clothes to the homeless.
My family actually did this a few weeks ago, and it was definitely rewarding. So many people were thankful that we helped them out. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone trying to make a difference this year.
Send packages to troops overseas.
Never forget about the men and women who spend their Christmases fighting for your freedom. They don’t get to spend the holidays with their families so you can. Take some time out of your day to make a care package and send it their way.
Give gift cards to your mailman/garbage collectors.
These guys do a lot to make sure our lives run smoothly. A lot of times we neglect to think about them. Rain or shine, they’re always helping us out, oftentimes for low wages. Pay them back this year with a nice little Christmas gift.
Give 20 compliments in a single day.
This is literally the cheapest and easiest act of kindness I could think of. Saying something nice takes no time at all and it doesn't cost a thing. This is a great way to boost someone's confidence.
Bake cookies for your neighbors.
We’re usually doing a lot of cooking during this time of the year, so why not just make a little extra for the neighbors? People rarely turn down food, and you’ll be the coolest neighbors around.
Bring coffee to your coworkers.
Just like with food, no one turns down coffee, especially when it’s freezing outside. Your coworkers will love you, and your boss might even give you that holiday bonus.
Adopt a child from the Salvation Army Angel Tree.
This is something that my family does each year. Every kid deserves to wake up to something from Santa on Christmas morning. Unfortunately, not every child has that opportunity. The Salvation Army Angel Tree is a great way to give back to the less-fortunate children during the holiday season.
Visit the elderly at a retirement home.
This requires nothing more than your time. The elderly don’t always have families to go home to during Christmas, so this is an awesome way to show them that someone cares. This experience will be memorable not only for them, but for you, as well.
Call your family members.
As we go on with our lives, we sometimes forget about the people we don’t always get to see. Give your grandma a call this Christmas and tell her you love her.
Tip your waiters well.
You should always be tipping well on meals, but especially during the holiday season. These workers usually don’t make great wages, and they are dependent on good tips around Christmas time. Help them out this year, tip more than 20%.
Donate to charity.
It’s the season of giving, so instead of blowing all your money on presents this year, donate some of those funds to a non-profit organization. After all, the greatest gift of all is the gift of giving.
