by Dan Oswald
Christmas is less than two weeks away. And as the carol goes, ’tis the season to be jolly. But it’s also the season of giving. Gift giving has long been a tradition associated with Christmas. Whether or not you still believe in Santa Claus, everyone likes to receive gifts. Nothing warms the heart like an unexpected gift.
Think for a moment about an unforeseen gift you have received. It may have been recently, or it may have been years ago. If it was truly unexpected—a real surprise—you’re likely to remember it. Those random, unanticipated gifts tend to be memorable. They stand out in our minds because they catch us by surprise. Those moments are special because we have no expectations, yet we’re the recipient of someone else’s kindness.
So as we look forward to a holiday filled with gift giving (and receiving), I have a challenge for you. Do the unexpected for someone. Make someone’s Christmas a little more special with a random act of kindness. It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day. All I’m asking is that you make a deliberate effort to brighten someone else’s holiday. You don’t have to spend a dime, though you may choose to purchase a gift, but I challenge you to do something unexpected for someone else.
There are countless things you can do for others that they’ll appreciate. Let me try out some ideas to help you get started:
- You can drop in for a visit with an elderly neighbor who sees very few visitors. Maybe bring along a plate of cookies or a box of candy, but what’s most important is the time and attention you share. A friendly conversation means so much to someone who has a hard time getting out of the house.
- Go see someone who is confined to the hospital for the holidays. ’Tis the season to be jolly, but for some it’s the season for illness, and it’s no fun to be stuck in the hospital. Brighten their day by spending some time with them, and maybe bring along a Christmas treat.
- Similarly, stop by a nursing home and visit some of the residents. Many times, those in nursing care don’t have any family nearby and spend the holidays alone. Give them the gift of your presence.
- Pick up an extra combo meal next time you’re in the drive-thru lane at your local fast-food restaurant and deliver it to a homeless person on the street. If you’re in any major city in the country, you see far too many homeless people. Spend $5 or $6 to give them a hot meal they’ll really appreciate.
- Pay the toll for the car behind you when you’re at the toll booth. The unexpected act of kindness will bring a smile to someone’s face, and maybe they will pay it forward. Who knows, maybe you’ll start a trend that will brighten the day for many more to come.
- If you see someone eating alone in a restaurant during the holidays, pay for their meal. If you pay attention when you’re out for dinner, you might notice someone who looks like they could benefit from someone else picking up the check. Even better, ask them if they’d like to join you and the rest of your group to share a meal.
- On your next trip to Starbucks, buy a cup of coffee for someone. It will cost you a few bucks, but I promise you it will be well worth the feeling of holiday cheer you’ll provide—and receive.
None of these ideas will take more than $20 or a few hours of your time, but they’ll leave an impression on someone that may last a lifetime. That’s how important and memorable the unexpected gifts you give can be. Whether it be the gift of time or an unanticipated act of kindness, it’s likely to really brighten someone’s holiday. More than that, you’ll benefit from it, too!
So think about what you want to do for someone else this holiday season. Come up with an idea of a random act of kindness that could make all the difference for someone else this Christmas. And when you do, I want to hear about it. I’m not looking for you to brag, but I want to hear about what you did because kindness can be contagious. Tell us your story of what you did to meet the challenge, and maybe it will inspire someone else to act. Post it in the comments section. Next thing you know, we might just have an epidemic of kind acts!
A woman I work with just lost her husband and faces her first Christmas without him. As part of a fund-raiser we had at work, she had entered a drawing to win a holiday centerpiece. Someone else won it, so I arranged with the florist to send her the same centerpiece as a surprise.
I organized a caroling group at my church and spent 12/13/15 caroling among the residents of 5 local nursing homes where some of our members are confined. The other residents of the homes were more than happy to hear the caroling and join in…some in their native languages (Adeste Fideles in Italian and Silent Night in German!) There were joyful tears among the choristers and residents alike as we sang our hearts out sharing Christmas happiness!
Good reminders! For the holidays this year, our office is doing random acts of kindness. Employees are asked to do whatever they want and then anonymously post what they did. It is so fun to read what everyone has done!
I was in Kroger a few days ago and there was a mom with a toddler trying to get groceries. The toddler was screaming and crying and the mom was doing her best to just get her last few items and make it out of the store. I grabbed a Starbucks gift card as I was checking out and went over to her and said “Being a mom is hard sometimes. I just wanted to let you know you’re doing a great job and I hope you have a great Saturday!” and handed her the Starbucks card. She hugged me and said thank you with tears in her eyes. Random, unexpected gifts ARE the best!
This is so inspiring! I always try to do a “good deed” a day even if it’s something as simple as letting someone go in front of me in line, holding a door for someone or letting the other car go at the stop sign across the way. Sometimes we get so tied up in our day we forget to do simple things to make someone else smile, even for just a moment. Acts of kindness are so contagious! If more of us make a conscious effort to do our “good deed” of the day, it would spread like wildfire!
I was out shopping with my mom for some gifts and we were running around fighting the crowds and traffic and at a stop light was an older gentleman that was holding a sign asking for food. I asked my mom to go to the Wendy’s around the corner really quick. She must have thought I was hungry, we pulled up to the drive through and I ordered two meals with two large drinks and she looked at me like “there’s no way you can eat all that!” After she handed me all the food and drinks I asked her to go back to the shopping plaza, I jumped out of the car and gave the gentleman the bags of food and drinks. He gave me the biggest hug, wished me a very happy holiday and had a smile from ear to ear! His reaction alone was completely worth it! I told him he had to do a good deed for someone else and he promised he’d think of something good. My mom hadn’t noticed the gentlemen with the sign when we left the plaza, she said she needed to open her eyes more often and help those in need instead of being so focused on what she has to do next every moment. She called me up two days later and told me that she’s been doing good deeds left and right and that I inspired her! Like I said, it spread like wildfire!
Thank you for the reminder and for spreading the kindness!!
Merry Christmas!
Thanks to each of you for sharing your stories of generosity and caring! It’s amazing how the little things really do make a difference to those we touch with our kindness. You each are making the world a better place to be. And as Nicole’s mother said, your deeds do inspire others to do the same. Merry Christmas to all of you!