Now that the week of Christmas is upon is, it’s a great time to do some good for others. Whether you are a Christian or not, we can all celebrate the life and birth of Jesus, who was a man that inspired so much goodness in this world.
“Give to everyone who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.” – Jesus Christ
This quote, among countless others, is the true reason for celebration this December. We are rejoicing in the birth of a man whose words carry wisdom and perpetuate acts of love in a world where this is so desperately needed.
So, as you hang your stockings and pick out an outfit for that upcoming holiday party, please don’t forget about the love that you could be spreading. The holidays can be hard for a lot of people, for many reasons, so keep in mind that your one small act of kindness could truly leave an impact. And who knows, you might even create a chain reaction!
Here are some ways that you can spread kindness this week:
As simple as it sounds, a smile can really change someone’s day. Whether it’s when you’re with a stranger on an elevator or passing a neighbor on the sidewalk, life gets little brighter with a warm smile.
Write Christmas cards
It’s the perfect time of year to let the people in your life know how much you love and care for them. Maybe it’s just because my love language is words of affirmation, but a card always makes my day!
Babysit for free
Most parents are scrambling to find last-minute gifts and make sure the holiday is special for their little ones, so giving up a couple hours of your day to help out would undoubtedly make theirs much easier. (Plus you’d get to play with kids!)
Be a nice driver
Stores and parking lots are crowded and full of people in a rush, so be careful when you are maneuvering your own vehicle! Also, embrace the holiday spirit and let people merge.
Help carry groceries
If you’re at the store and notice someone having a hard time loading up their car or looks like they may be in need of some assistance, offer to help them. Also make sure to hold the door for people!
Leave extra time in the parking meter
This is such a simple way to make someone smile.
Serve food
There are so many shelters and soup kitchens that are in need of volunteers during the holidays, and it’s always great to spread holiday cheer and talk with the people you’re serving!
Be inclusive
Keep in mind that there are people who don’t have anyone to share the holiday with. Inviting them to join in your festivities would let them know that they are valued and that their presence matters to someone.
Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru
This is sure to brighten their day!
Go caroling!
This one is just plain fun—you can gather some friends and go singing your favorite holiday songs around your neighborhood, a local nursing home, the mall, and many other places. You might even consider collecting donations for a local charity while you’re at it!
Leave nice comments on social media
I think we can all admit that it make us happy when someone comments something nice on our latest Instagram or Facebook post, so why not do that for someone else?
Write letters to those in need
Whether it’s for soldiers, prisoners, patients, etc., a nice letter is a great way to spread a message of hope and goodwill.
Tip generously
Imagine what it must feel like to be working on this busy holiday week when many people get to be spending time with friends and family. An extra-generous tip could help make it a little more tolerable.
Pick up litter
During the holidays, of course we should love other people, but we can’t forget about our planet!
Buy charity Christmas cards instead of commercial ones.
Sites like Cards For Causes and Good Cause Greetings donate to charities, so if you’re buying cards anyway, you might as well purchase these!
Give blood
This is always a good, free way to seriously impact someone’s health for the better.
Donate!
Toys For Tots is a great way to make sure that a less fortunate child gets a good Christmas gift this year. You can donate to a local food bank or give your spare change to a Salvation Army bell-ringer on your way in/out of a store. You could also donate your time to the humane society, who definitely needs help during this time of year.
Participate in a Ho Ho Ho Run
Check out Ho Ho Ho Run and consider running or donating to a similar event near you. It’s festive, good for your health, and raises money for a great cause!
Reach out to homeless people
The cold winter is upon us, and if you find yourself complaining about the temperature, imagine what it’s like for those who don’t have shelter or proper winter gear. You could collect blankets, coats, mittens, and other warm items to pass out to homeless people in your area. Personally, if I know I’m going to be in an area where there are likely to be homeless people, I carry granola bars and hand them out. Some really amazing conversations have resulted from this simple act, and I’ve found that you can learn so much from people who have so little.
Bake cookies for neighbors and friends
Homemade cookies say that you care without costing you a lot of money. It shows that you took the time to create something to give them and that they were on your mind.
Be An Elf
Bean Elf is one of my favorites. This organization allows you to adopt letters to Santa from low-income children and send them a gift directly.
Say, “I love you” and “thank you.”
These might be seem obvious, but sometimes I think people forget to verbalize the most important words. Let those who are important to you, near and far, know how much you care about them. Also remember to thank the people who worked hard to put together your holiday celebration and the ones who so thoughtfully picked out gifts for you.
However you choose to give this Christmas, I hope that it fills you with love and joy. I hope we can remember the loving way that Jesus lived and that we can incorporate that into our lives not only this week, but all year long. Merry Christmas, everyone!
