I really believe that small acts of kindness can make the world a better place. No, they won’t stop wars or atrocities, but they might put a smile on the face of someone who is having a bad day, help someone out of a tight spot or just sprinkle a little happiness on someone else’s day; that’s not a bad thing is it?
I have wanted to get involved in a random acts of kindness project for some time, then I heard about a wonderful initiative ‘Blog It Forward’ that Wayfair have created. For every blog post people write about random acts of kindness in December, they will donate £50 to Habitat For Humanity. A double win, do nice things for strangers and Wayfair will do the same.
RAOK can be anything you wish. Just think of something that will make even the smallest difference to someone’s life. After wracking my brains I decided that the following would be our 10 random acts of kindness.
1. Donate food/toiletries to local charity for people living in hostels.
Collection bins for local foodbanks are available in most supermarkets (usually near the doors). So it is really easy to pop some extras in and drop them off before you leave. Sometimes they note on them what items are in most demand, so you can shop accordingly and drop them off on the way out.
2. Tape a note and a £1 on a kid’s mechanical ride.
I don’t know about you, but I never have change for the rides outside shops, poor Baby! So I thought I would leave a £1 coin and a note for someone just like me to find.
3. Leave a book with note on a train.
I left a book on a train with a note for a commuter to find and hopefully enjoy!
4. Bake a cake for a neighbour
If you don’t bake, you can cheat and buy one, it will be just as kind a gesture.
5. Share 10 posts from 10 bloggers
I am still in the middle of this, but I picked ten bloggers who I know but are not in my close circle and I have retweeted 10 of their posts.
6. Buy a lottery ticket and leave it taped somewhere
I thought a scratch card was a safer option as I didn’t know when it would be spotted. I taped it to the wall somewhere it would be found, but only by someone sitting where I was in the cafe.
7. Take toys and treats to the dogs home.
I have lots of dog toys and leads that I bought when I considered setting up an online boutique years ago. They are still in the garage. This week I and going to take a selection to the local Dogs Home where they will be much appreciated.
8. Leave a colouring book and crayons in a waiting room
A cheap little colouring book and pencils left with a note in a waiting room somewhere could just be just the thing to help out a stressed parent. I have mine ready in my bag with a note on it, to drop off somewhere this week.
9. Take tasty treats to the Nursery staff
We bought some packs of little cakes and treats for the wonderful staff at Baby’s nursery.
10. Donate a bag to helping handbags.
This is such a wonderful initiative to help ladies living on the street. The idea is to donate a handbag filled with sanitary products, snacks, underwear etc. Being homeless is awful and experiencing your monthly cycle can make life harder. These products really help to make a difference in people’s lives.
Here are ten simple things you can do to help make a difference in people’s lives, whether you pay for someone’s coffee in Starbucks or send someone a lovely thoughtful letter, don’t underestimate the difference you can make to someone’s day.
Part of this challenge is that I have to challenge two bloggers to Blog It Forward and do their own act of kindness, big or small. So I challenge Amy from Mr & Mrs T Plus Three and Katy from What Katy Said, I would love to see your acts of kindness ladies!
Comments 31
Oh I love this SO much thank you for tagging me I’m in the middle of doing mine this week and will for definite be doing the kids ride one that is such a lovely idea. Love, love, love! Will let you know how I get on x x x (and you are always so kind)
Author
Thanks so much huni, can’t wait to ready yours xxxx
I love this list and the photo evidence was so sweet too! Amazing that you are doing ten – one is enough, but I found once you start you can’t stop!
I absolutely love this. Well done you x
Author
Thanks so much x
What a lovely idea and you made some great choices! I love random acts of kindness and good karma
Stevie x
Author
Thanks Stevie it was good fun! x
What fabulous ideas! Little things like this could really make someones day. I’m not sure I could give someone a lottery ticket. Imagine if it won! Eeeek!!! :o) #TheList
What a wonderful idea and such a great time of year to do it as well, since it is the season of giving. I hope your efforts will inspire the recipients to pay it forward. I particularly like the idea of donating toys and treats to a dog shelter, because I have a soft spot for dogs. Also, I’d be thrilled to find a free book on public transport – I recently enjoyed Pretty Is and quite enjoyed it. I’m inspired to start thinking about what random acts of kindness I could try and maybe even introduce some spontaneous kindness at home 🙂
What a great idea and I love the things you did! Particularly donate a bag. I totally agree about small kindnesses and my nana had a life full the she was a very special lady. I try to follow her example I wrote a poem about it called Time for reflection. Loved this post. Just what we need at Christmas thank you!
This is so lovely and your ideas for random acts of kindest are wonderful. Xx #TheList
What an amazing idea! It could really cheer people up and hopefully inspire them to do something similar. Love the things you have chosen to do. It has got me thinking now! Thanks for sharing #TheList
How lovely! I think your quirky acts (book on a train, lottery ticket, money for the ride) of kindness are brilliant and something that we could all easily do. I haven’t seen this initiative before, but I would like to give it a go.
At the moment I carry extra lunch stuff with me to work and if I see someone in need, I have something to give. This morning a lovely homeless elderly man got a breakfast of chocolate chip brioche and a packet of Little Buttons chocolate animal biscuits. #TheList
Author
Ah that is such a wonderful thing to do x
This post made me smile. You’re right, little things make a big difference I would love to be the recipient of one of your acts and your ideas have also got my mind racing as to what I could do x #thelist
What a lovely post and idea! It would definitely put a smile on someone’s day and that small act of kindness may actually be the a big force in helping someone change their perspective and life round. Re #2 …I used to never have change as well. #thelist
What a lovely idea ! #TheList
Just last night my wife and I bought the dinner of an older woman eating alone after over hearing her say that it was her birthday. Love this idea, and I like the idea of taping a dollar to a kid’s ride at the mall. I’m going to use that one
I love this! Some of e ideas are so simple yet fabulous, I would never have thought of leaving a coin on a kiddies ride but it’s such a good idea, might just give it a go 🙂 #TheList
Debbie
Lots of lovely ideas – I hadn’t heard of helping handbags before, sounds like a really great way to help someone. x #thelist
I just read about this yesterday – such a fantastic campaign. Fab ideas in your list!
Such a wonderful idea… You’ll definitely put a big smile on the lucky person getting the act of kindness tokens/gifts. Lovely post! #TheList
Great, Aby!
I have a t-shirt I bought years ago from ARK. I’m supposed to do an act of randon kindness (hence ARK) every time I wear it.
#thelist
Well done on doing these. So many nice ideas there. I like the handbag one – such an important and useful donation
These are such lovely ideas, so simple as well like leaving a pound for someone on a ride. We’ve done some bits for charity this Christmas but I am thinking I need to up my game 😉 #thelist
I love a raok and also paying it forward. I recently listed some logs for free collection and asked if the collector would like to make a small donation to a homeless charity as the logs would be helping keep her warm in winter, she decided it was a great idea and made the donation 🙂
Will have to remember some of these
#thelist
Lovely ideas.. love the book one on the train! Merry Christmas! #TheList xx
Pingback: Sprinkle a bit of glitter on someone else this Christmas – Mr and Mrs T Plus Three
Lovely post. I love random acts of kindness and paying it forward and was so chuffed to be tagged for this elsewhere Have a wonderful Christmas 🙂
This was a wonderful read, and well done to you and baby! 🙂 I truly think you have brighten quite a few people’s day here! #TheList
Have a wonderful Christmas! It’s been so good getting to know you in 2015. See you next year 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy xx
I also think that our small act of kindness can make the world a heavenly place. I am working in the Engodhandling organization and we believe our small act of kindness can make someone happy. We never miss any chance of kindness. We believe our small act of kindness have the ability to change the world.