The holiday season is considered a time of celebration and gathering with loved ones, but it can be a stressful and difficult time as well. The holidays can amplify feelings of grief, loss and loneliness for people that have suffered the loss of a loved one or for those that are dealing with symptoms of anxiety or depression (Bommersbach, 2023). Whether you are struggling yourself, or have individuals in your life who could use some support, doing something nice for someone else is a great way to help yourself and others to get through this challenging time of year. As part of our Project Resilience social emotional learning lessons for elementary and middle school students, our resilience consultants share:

“Have you ever noticed that sometimes when we are unhappy or not feeling good and we do something nice for another person, it can make us feel better? Has anyone ever done something kind for you that you weren’t really expecting? What did they do? How did it make you feel? This is a RAOK (Random Act of Kindness)!

Random = the person isn’t expecting it or doesn’t know you did it

Kindness = something that is helpful or appreciated by the other person”

Check out this list from CNN with some great ideas for spreading holiday kindness this season. You can even print it out and check off the acts of kindness as you complete them!

1. Buy coffee for the person behind you in line.
We all need a little pay it forward in our lives, and buying coffee or a meal for someone behind us in the drive through line could help start a chain of kindness. It doesn’t have to be expensive for it to be meaningful.

2. Give out candy canes to cashiers and food service workers when you go out.
We all eat out or go to the grocery store during the holidays, so why not bring some holiday cheer with you? Just get a couple boxes of candy canes to keep in your car and hand them to your waiter, waitress, cashier, or the person at the drive-thru window. It’s a simple way to tell them “thanks” for working this time of year.

3. Help neighbors wrap presents.
Do you have an elderly neighbor or one with a lot of kids? Why not offer your gift-wrapping services! Can’t wrap you say? Don’t worry it requires no skills to put an item in a gift bag. It’s a simple and free way to spread holiday kindness, and you might make a new friend!

4. Send someone a greeting card.
If you live far away from family and friends, snail mail can be the way to spread joy. Who doesn’t love getting something that isn’t junk in their mailbox. It only takes a moment to write a note to let someone know you are thinking about them – especially a friend who may be having a hard time with the holidays.

5. Check in on a friend - text or call them to say hello.
We know, phone calls have gone out of style, but honestly is it so hard to make a 10 to 15 minute call during the holidays? Check in on someone and let them know you are there. You may not know what they are going through, and it could help more than you know.

6. Volunteer or give to a charity.
We often hear that this time of year is the “season for giving,” but that doesn’t have to be money. Time is a great thing to give, whether it’s actually volunteering at a soup kitchen or finding a community service project in your area.

7. Have patience while traveling.
We know traveling is stressful, but you don’t have to let it turn you into a Grinch. Southwest gate agent Janet Gee, who is based in Denver, told CNN being kind goes a long way.

“Say, ‘Hi, Merry Christmas!’ or come bring us a snack. A little kindness can make a huge difference.”

8. Wish someone “happy holidays”.
Short and simple, but effective and polite.

9. Bake cookies for an elderly neighbor or relative.
Who doesn’t love spontaneous baked goods? If you are baking anyway, why not just make an extra half dozen or so for a neighbor or relative that may be living alone.

10. Hold the door for someone at the store.
It takes one extra second when you are walking in or walking out of a store to show kindness to someone. Slow down and notice the person behind you.

11. Take time out and watch a holiday movie with a loved one.
This is another opportunity to slow down and enjoy this time of year. Pick a favorite holiday movie and settle down with one or a few of your favorite people to take a time out of the holiday rush and just enjoy it.

12. Invite someone over for hot chocolate.
Another simple way to enjoy human interaction during the holidays. The art of face-to-face conversation seems to be lost on us these days, so why not bring it back in a warm and cozy way. Plus, it’s delicious.

References:

Bommersbach, Tanner. (2023, November 27). Supporting Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/supporting-your-mental-health-during-holiday-season

Johnson, Lauren M. (2019, December 12). 12 days of holiday kindness: A checklist to spread Christmas cheer. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/12/health/12-days-of-holiday-kindness-checklist-trnd/index.html

Think Kindness. (2023). 12 Christmas Kindness Ideas. Retrieved from https://thinkkindness.org/featured-kindness/12-christmas-kindness-ideas/