Let’s face it friends, we can all use a little extra joy and happiness. The Christmas and New Year season is a time when many people are spreading joy to the world, and for my part, I want to help it spread.
As I countdown to Christmas, I compiled a list of 24 free or mostly free things we all can do to share a little bit of happiness. The best part, these can all be done year round, so don’t be shy, keep it going.
- Smile and say thank you to people.
- Let someone get in front of you in line at the store.
- Help a parent get their kids in to the car.
- Visit a Senior Citizen Center and talk to the residents.
- Volunteer to read to kids at the library.
- Buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line.
- Let some traffic merge in front of you.
- Hold the door or elevator for people.
- Leave a handwritten note for a loved one telling them how you feel.
- Tell the manager an employee is doing a great job.
- Buy a meal for Military/Police/Fire Fighters/EMS.
- Donate clothing or other items you no longer need.
- Compliment a parent on their child’s behavior.
- Give up your seat on a train or the bus.
- Play games with kids.
- Warm up your spouse’s car on a cold morning.
- Let someone have the closer parking space.
- Pay the toll for the car behind you.
- Shovel a neighbor’s driveway.
- Clean the snow off a neighbor’s car.
- Say kind things behind someone’s back.
- Smile at someone in traffic.
- Bring in your neighbor’s garbage cans.
- Be Patient with People.
I know I said the list was in no particular order, but I deliberately set patience as the number one item.
November and December especially, can be very stressful to people. Maybe you’re hosting a family meal or working the return line (God bless you) on the day after Christmas. You’re smile and patience with the over seated server might just be what they need to get them through that double shift.
Kindness doesn’t cost a penny.
