Random Acts of Kindness Week is a time designated to show kindness to others and make a conscious effort to brighten their day. This year it will be celebrated Feb. 14-20. Random Acts of Kindness Day is Feb. 17.
Created by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, the week gives everyone an opportunity to see what a difference they can make by making kindness a priority. The hope is that once we see how easy and rewarding it is, acts of kindness will become a year-round habit.
The acts can be as large or small as you’d like – anything from saying hello to a stranger on the street to paying for a stranger’s groceries.
There are a few suggestions below, but feel free to come up with your own and see how great it feels to pass along positivity!
- Call or text a friend you haven’t seen in a while just to say hello and ask how they are.
- Tell a friend or family member or co-worker how valuable/important they are to you and why.
- Send a thank-you note to a person who has made a positive impact on your life.
- Send a thank-you note to your children’s teacher for the great job they are doing.
- Tell a co-worker what a great job they are doing.
- Compliment a stranger on the color of their outfit, hairstyle, etc.
- Help a friend with a social media post about their business.
- Over tip waitstaff. They work for a small hourly amount and rely on tips.
- Call someone who is alone just to visit for a while.
- Call someone that you know is going through a rough time to let them know that you’re there for them.
- When you receive great service, make it a point to tell the employee’s manager.
- Leave a bag of groceries on a neighbor’s porch.
- Leave fresh cookies in the mailbox for the letter carrier.
- Let someone go in front of you in line at the grocery store.
- Give a gas gift card to a stranger at the station.
- Buy extra dog or cat food or other supplies and drop them off at the animal shelter.
- Take treats and a thank you card to first responders in your community.
- Take treats to municipal employees – electric and water department personnel, library staff, street department employees, etc.
- Look for opportunities to give compliments. It will make you, as well as the person you compliment, feel good.
- A simple smile goes a long way! Make it a point to smile at strangers you pass on the street, in the store, etc.
- Donate to a food bank or other charitable organization.