A minimum of 25 acts of kindness is the least I can do this holiday season

In a world where we’re constantly reminded to put ourselves first, it’s even more important around the holidays that we spread more love outward and put others before ourselves. We’ve all heard of doing random acts of kindness, but have you heard of RACK? RACK stands for Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. This version is a Christmas countdown that will encourage non-Scrooge adults and children to give, serve and help others throughout the holiday season. And if you’re thinking you just don’t have any more time to add one more thing to your already busy schedule, think again. This is such a simple activity and it will help us all experience the true meaning of this glorious season – 25 fold.

Put together twenty-five envelopes and within each envelope have an act of kindness activity written on a piece of paper. The night before, pull out the next day’s activity and talk with your family about what you’re going to do.

I did this last year, and sadly I have to admit I achieved only 18, but this year is going to be merrier and I will reach my goal of 25.

There is an endless list of activity ideas from which to choose and my 25 are listed below.

As you complete each act of kindness, the Christmas Spirit will grow a little stronger inside your heart and the love and compassion offered during the holiday season will make yours so very much brighter.

When my children were smaller we used to do something like this every holiday season. My daughters would look forward to the activities each year. They became so anxious each season to help out others in their community, and I truly believe that annual holiday activity played a big part in molding both of my daughters into the good-hearted young women they are today.

It truly is far better to give than to receive and this year I am going to accomplish a minimum of 25 acts of kindness and make my Merry Christmas even merrier.

One small, thoughtful gesture can make someone else’s day so much brighter. Random acts of kindness – performed for the sole purpose of brightening someone’s day – leave behind the long lasting result of knowing that hope is always out there. Here are my 25 tasks on my holiday acts of kindness to do list . . .

1.) Ring the Salvation Army Bell

2.) Purchase holiday gifts from Seminole County 

merchants

3.) Publicly thank as many health care workers and 

First Responders as possible

4.) Say “Good Morning” to a stranger next to me

5.) Treat a veteran or an out-of-towner to breakfast, 

lunch or dinner

6.) Take a minute to direct someone who is lost, even

 though you’re rushing

7.) Write a letter to a child who could use some extra 

attention. Kids love getting mail

8.) Grocery shop for the sole purpose of anonymously

 putting food on someone else’s table

9.) Offer to pick up groceries or run an errand for 

someone

10.) Give a homeless person a care package and sit 

down and have a conversation with them

11.) Visit and spread the cheer at a local nursing home

12.) Put a coin in an expired  parking meter, if you 

can find one

13.) Tape quarters to vending machines around town

14.) Give away something old and in good condition

to someone who needs it more than I do

15.) Purchase toys for kids in need.

16.) Put my shopping cart back in its place

17.) Call or write to a teacher who changed my life

18.) Leave a present in the mailbox for my mail carrier

19.) Forgive someone a debt and never bring it up again

20.) Write a note to the boss of someone and explain 

how great a job that person is doing

21.) Throw away my trash – and someone else’s –

after a movie, picnic or visit to a park

22.) Encourage someone who seems despondent

23.) Volunteer to take care of a vacationing friend/

relative’s dog

24.) Leave a generous tip for a pleasant waitress/waiter

25.) Ask someone “How are you doing?” – and then 

really listen to his/her response

I have already made the decision that I am going to have a wonderful new-normal holiday season. Try this scheduled act of kindness idea and you just may put a brighter merry into your Merry Christmas.

Comments and impressions are welcomed

and requested at david@donalsonvillenews.com