As I think about the popularity of Kindness Rocks locally, I remembered doing a 24 Days of Random Act of Christmas Kindness. It was about inspiring others to show kindness towards one another and paying it forward. I am actually going to start with a story that happened at the end of my “RACK” journey. It brought tears to my eyes as I read and remembered it. Look out for each other and be kind. After the story, you will find a number of suggestions each of us can do, not only during the Christmas season but always.
Here’s my story:
My daughter and I were shopping at our local Shopko store buying baby supplies needed because my two youngest grandchildren were staying with us the next few days. We had finished our shopping and were in our car and in the process of leaving the parking lot when my daughter said to me, “Ohhh, that lady needs some help.” I looked up immediately and saw an elderly woman walking in the parking lot towards us. She was stooped down carrying two large plastic shopping bags. The parking lot had about 3 inches of soft, slushy snow, the result of a recent snowfall. I told my daughter to stop so I could hop out of the car and help her. I walked over to her and our conversation went something like this:
Me: “Ma’am, can I help you with your bags?”
Appearing a little taken aback and almost a little embarrassed, she said “Yes”.
Me: I took one of the bags and held her arm as she walked over to her car.
As we were walking, she said, “I was trying to be careful so I wouldn’t fall.”
I replied, “Yes, it did snow quite a bit.” I opened her back seat and put the shopping bag I carried for her along with hers into the back seat.
She smiled up at me and kindly said, “I hope you had a Merry Christmas.”
I smiled and replied, “Yes, I did. Did you have a Merry Christmas?”
She said, “Yes, it was a lot of fun”.
I replied, “Great, You have a good day.”
She said, “I will. It is a little better now. Thank You.”
I then helped her into the front seat and shut her door.
I immediately hopped back into our car and we drove off. Choking back tears, I recounted our conversation to my daughter. I have to admit, this was the best “Random Act of Christmas Kindness,” even though it wasn’t part of my 24-day challenge and it was after Christmas.
It didn’t cost any money, there no pictures, she wasn’t expecting it, she was kind and grateful, it was heartwarming and we both have the memory.
My “Random Act of Christmas Kindness” has made me just a little better – and not with what I have done, but the impact others and God’s grace have done to me. Sometimes one goes through life without stopping or pondering about life that goes on around them. I wish for more times of pondering and breathing and thinking and feelings of gratefulness. And I also wish that for you and our world. . .
Here are some ideas:
I used these cards that accompanied the “RACK”
MailMan
“Random Act of Christmas Kindness” is all about people who provide us service that we sometimes take for granted. Put together a coffee mug with Christmas goodies and put it in your mailbox before the mail arrives on Christmas Eve.
Pay for someone’s restaurant meal
“Random Act of Christmas Kindness” involved picking up the tab of another restaurant patron. Randomly choose another couple’s meal tab to pay.
Prepare a meal
Prepare a meal for someone. Do you know a young mom, who is very busy and stressed out? The perfect recipient for a home-cooked meal.
Grocery store gift card
Give a grocery gift certificate. I decided to tape a grocery gift card to a grocery shopping cart. I taped it to the part where you would sit a young child near the front of the cart. After the card was taped, I returned the cart to the cart corral area. Another idea is to purchase a grocery store gift card and give it to the person behind you in line. Both great ideas!
Nursing Home
There are just some images that shout “Christmas”. One of those images is bright red poinsettias. What a better place to deliver poinsettias than to nursing homes? As hard as a person tries, nursing homes just have that institutional feel about them. Giving the residents something to look at that is beautiful and “Christmasy” is my act of kindness for today.
Deliver beautiful poinsettia plants. Ask them to put into someone’s room who may not normally receive a Christmas gift.
Senior Citizens
Put a “goody bag” together and secretly give them to some of our senior citizens. You can have a lot of fun with this. Involve your children or grandchildren.
Food Shelf
Too many people are food insecure or just don’t have enough food for their families. And no one should go hungry, especially during the holiday season. I feel we can all give a little to help those that need it.
Gas Card
An unsuspecting motorist can use to help their pay gas bill. Filling a gas tank can cost a lot of money these days, so I am sure any kind of help is appreciated!
Humane Society
Donate a bag of dog food to the local Humane Society. I have stated many times for people to donate to their local humane society and not the Humane Society of the United States. HSUS is NOT your local humane society, but rather pushes a vegan, anti-livestock agenda. Your local humane societies are about the dogs and cats that need a good home.
Car Wash
Give a free car wash!
Fast Food Drive Through
Pay for the order of the car behind me in the drive-thru. This unsuspecting person was about to receive a free meal. When I told the cashier that I wanted to pay for the car behind me, she was not surprised. My guess is they have other customers do the same thing.
Salvation Army Bell Ringers
Give Salvation Army Bell Ringers a gift card and tell them thank you. Maybe a Starbucks or Caribou gift card?
Laundromat
Christmas or not, laundry still needs to be done. Tape money to a washer and/or dryer in a laundromat.
Christmas Angel
Salvation Army has a “Christmas Angel” program where you can select a child or children to buy presents.
Beverage Machine
Just a nice gesture, nothing more and nothing less. Leaving behind enough money to buy a bottle of soda! Hope someone enjoys and passes along a “random act of kindness” to someone else!
Library
Insert five $1 bills, each taped to a Random Act of Christmas Kindness card, in five random books at the library. Four out of the five books have a Christmas theme.
The hardest part was putting the dollar bills in the books discreetly. I had to be sneaky and probably looked guilty because I was looking around to make sure no one was watching. Anonymity is imperative!
Will they pay it forward by showing someone kindness?
Christmas Caroling
Go Christmas caroling!. Visit a local church member’s home or nursing homes. It was very neat to see the residents join in with the singing. Appreciation and joy were shown all over their faces.
These are just. a few things everyone can do to put a smile on other people’s faces. And if you are the recipient, please pay it forward.
Isn’t it amazing how small, simple acts can make such a difference (on both the giving and receiving end)?
Yes, Kristi, it doesn’t take much at all.
Such a sweet story. I think it’s the random acts that are truly unplanned, unexpected that mean the most. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year to you and yours!
Yes, Lisa, I was not expecting that at all! But it was great! You have a Happy New Year also!
This reminds me of a Facebook post not too long ago. One of my youngest son’s friends ( this would be the early 20’s crowd ) was posting don’t forget to give toys or do something random at Xmas…a commenter ( another young guy ) said that in one of those Get Go or Sheetz places ( gas and quick food ) an elderly lady in front of him had forgotten something and went back to get it. HE, young guy…ordered his cigarettes and gum, paid for HER stuff, and left as an anonymous giver. His comment was one of how amazed he was at how wonderful it made him feel all day to do that little thing for a stranger.
That’s a great story Deb! Our world needs more of that.
Oh, Wanda, what a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Helping others blesses everyone involved. Thank you for modeling that to your daughter and to your grandchildren! ♥