What’s on The Horizon

by Marcia Schroeder RN, Horizon Public Health

During the holidays we are encouraged to reach out to one another. In reality, we may be short on cash and time. Our hearts might not swell with good will as we try to figure out how to get through December, let alone how to make a difference in our communities.

It is encouraging to hear wonderful stories of holiday generosity, but monetary generosity isn’t always possible or even needed. You don’t need to buy Christmas gifts for an entire family, leave a hundred-dollar tip for your waitress, or invite the entire neighborhood over for a holiday party. Fortunately there are small acts of kindness you can do that are easy and affordable, brightening the lives of those around you and filling you with holiday spirit.

• Give a compliment.

• Take hot chocolate or snacks to holiday bell ringers.

• Donate food to a food shelf.

• Help a busy mother in the grocery store.

• Let someone move ahead of you in line, or pay for the person behind you in the coffee line.

• Let the person behind you have the parking spot you’ve both been looking for.

• Bake cookies and deliver them to the local police station to say thank you.

• Send a letter or care package to a military member defending our country.

• Send a card or visit someone who is sick or in a rest home.

• Donate pet supplies to your local humane society.

• Offer to take someone’s shopping cart back inside or to the cart drop-off.

• Call or write a family member you haven’t seen or been in contact with in a while.

• Express appreciation to a co-worker or friend.

• Offer to help a neighbor care for their pets or home when they leave town.

• Donate blood.

• Offer to watch your friend’s kids, so she can do some holiday shopping.

• Help an elderly neighbor bring groceries in from their car.

• Take your family caroling.

• Help your neighbor shovel or put up their Christmas lights.

• Leave a care package or letter of appreciation for your mailman.

• Volunteer to help someone wrap their Christmas gifts.

• Volunteer to read holiday stories at your local library or nursing home.

Small acts of kindness can make a difference in someone else’s life this holiday season. The added bonus is kindness comes back to fill us with holiday spirit, without maxing out our time, money, or energy. Use this list of ideas to decide what intentional acts of kindness you can do to spread cheer and kindness.