15 lovely ways to spread kindness this Christmas
You often hear the refrain that giving at Christmas is better than receiving, and we’re inclined to agree. How many of us mums are bursting with excitement for the kids to open their gifts without a thought to what will be under the tree for us?
However, there’s one unique gift that gives something special to both giver and receiver: Kindness.
Kindness isn’t just a gift for the person it’s bestowed it on, it’s a gift for the giver too – because both parties get something wonderful from it.
Christmas is an especially apt time to practise kindness so we have compiled a list of simple kind acts that will make someone’s day, and your own. It doesn’t have to be a huge gesture, it just has to be from the heart.
1. Text your family right now to let them know how much you love and appreciate them.
2. Hold the door open for someone. It’s the simple things.
3. Always show your appreciation for serving staff and people working in retail, especially around the busy Christmas period. They do a hard job and deserve our respect and gratitude.
4. Help someone struggling with heavy shopping.
5. Knock on an elderly neighbour’s door and ask them if they need messages from the shop or if they’d like some company. Find out where they will be spending Christmas and if the answer is alone, invite them to dinner or visit them on Christmas Day.
6. Forgive someone, even if you still think you’re right.
7. Smile at random people in the street. It does wonders to cheer up someone having a bad day.
8. Compliment people. If someone is funny, say they’re funny. If someone has done something admirable, tell them they inspire you. People remember compliments that touched them and draw on them for comfort when they’re going through a bad patch. Don’t just think it, say it.
9. Check in with friends or family who have lost loved ones. Let them know you understand how tough the period will be and that you’re there for them.
10. If you work in an office offer your postman or postwoman a cup of coffee when they pop in with your post. They’ll be so grateful.
11. Take a moment to understand someone, like really understand them. It’s easy to understand someone we agree with, more difficult when we have conflicting views. Make the effort to understand and respect why someone feels the way they do about a certain issue.
12. Donate a virtual gift to families in need through St. Vincent de Paul and charity partner Aldi, such as a bike, a Christmas dinner or a doll.
13. Life is busy and we often feel like we’re chasing our tails. Reach out to that friend you haven’t spoken to in a while and see how they are. They’ll be touched you thought about them.
14. Sponsor a star on Focus Ireland's Christmas tree to help those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
15. Write a letter of love and encouragement to a stranger with organisation The World Needs More Love Letters. You won’t know who they are but you will know they need words of hope.