The countdown to the big day is here, but haven’t you felt the spirit of the holidays all around you since Thanksgiving? No? Well, we are here to help! The twelve days of giving are our most favorite time of the year because it reminds us that going the extra mile can help in immeasurable ways.
Day 12: Donate to your local church or shelter. A monetary donation is always appreciated, but these local organizations are always in need of coats, gloves, hats, blankets, non-perishable food items and more for their local community. Donating items to a church or shelter can be a year-round act of kindness!
Day 11: Offer to help someone in need. This one can apply in so many ways, especially this time of year. Hold the door open for someone carrying loads of bags full of holiday gifts. If you see someone on the side of the road with a flat tire, stop and ask how you can help them.
Day 10: Leave a personal thank you note to your mail carrier in your mailbox with a small token of appreciation.
Day 9: Call a charity to volunteer your time. This can be done on the weekend when you have free time, or maybe just two hours on a Wednesday night. Charitable organizations can always use an extra hand organizing donations, setting up shelters on cold days, etc. It’s only a few hours of your time and so many people would benefit from your generosity.
Day 8: Rake the leaves in your neighbor’s yard. Better yet, help your neighbor shovel snow from their driveway!
Day 7: Call somone who you’ve lost touch with. It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous about this one. Will they remember me? Will my call be welcomed? We think you would be pleasantly surprised at how much an old friend would love to hear from you. Be brave today, give it a try!
Day 6: Be patient. Maybe you’re standing in a long line waiting to purchase items while there is only one cashier on duty. Maybe your child is learning how to tie their shoes. Sometimes, it’s easy to be frustrated when someone has difficulty understanding things or they are trying to learn how to do things the right way. But your patience, especially during a stressful time of year, can really go a long way. Your patience can empower them to push through the difficulty.
Day 5: Give a shout out to a business you had a positive experience with. Businesses, both old and new, really, truly benefit from this one. By leaving a positive online review, you can easily steer new customers to a business that you already love. Share your 5-star story regarding awesome customer service!
Day 4: Write nice notes and leave them in mailboxes of houses with great Christmas lights. The homeowners will love that you took the time to compliment them on their hard work!
Day 3: Let someone ahead of you in line at the grocery store. Easy peasy and it only takes a few extra minutes.
Day 2: Compliment someone on something they do great. We think this one should be done every single day. A little compliment can really go a long way and it tells someone that you’ve recognized their dedication to detail.
Day 1: Smile and greet everyone you see today… no explanation necessary.
For more ideas on little things that you can do everyday, follow us on Facebook. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!
