100 Acts of Kindness You Can Do Right Now

We tend to have visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads when it comes to the holidays… the grandeur of the decorations, the parties, the presents, and making memories with the people we love. 

Too often, dreams turn to disappointment when we get too caught up in the idea of Christmas. We forget that fun isn’t determined by how much money we spend on our presents but by how much time we spend with the people we love. 

Finding happiness during the holidays comes from the people we spend them with and the memories we make, not the presents we receive. Loving others and expressing that love to my family, friends, and God with a grateful heart are at the top of my list of importance.  

This holiday season, let’s take our focus off the grand visions and really focus on others. One way to truly find happiness anytime of year is by doing things for others.

One moment of kindness can change everything!

“You will never regret being kind.” 

–Unknown

Kindness costs nothing, takes little time, and could be the doorway that changes somebody’s life forever. 

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”

Here’s a list of 100 Acts of Kindness to get you started right now! These can be practiced with your spouse, kids, family members, friends, and especially strangers this holiday season. 

1. Smile and say hello.  
2. Give someone a compliment. 
3. Send someone flowers. 
4. Pay for someone’s food or coffee that is behind you in line. 
5. Make and deliver a meal. 
6. Smile and wave at someone. 
7. Treat someone to lunch.
8. Donate old clothes to a homeless shelter or an organization like Salvation Army. 
9.  Write and mail a letter to someone who has made a big impact in your life. 
10. Take your spouse breakfast in bed. 
11. Bake cookies for your local fire station and say thank you. 
12. Pray for someone. 
13. Serve meals to the homeless. 
14. Volunteer to greet people at your church. 
15. Let someone go ahead of you in line. 
16. Offer to walk a neighbor’s or your friend’s dog.  
17. Return someone else’s grocery cart.
18. Open and hold the door for someone. 
19. Say thank you.
20. Throw someone a birthday party, baby shower, or bridal shower. 
21. Give someone you haven’t talked to in a while a phone call. 
22. Take your child or family member on a one-on-one date. 
23. Leave unused coupons at the grocery store. 
24. Tip the barista at your coffee shop.
25. Pray for your kids. 
26. Bless a family in need. 
27. Clean up litter and trash at a park. 
28. Organize a food drive and donate those items to a food bank or shelter. 
29. Run an errand for a friend or family member.
30. Give someone a hug. 
31. Buy supplies for kids who can’t afford any school supplies. 
32. Help register people to vote. 
33. Tell someone you love them.
34. Pick up and hang up clothes from another person’s fitting room. 
35. Tutor a student in need for free. 
36. Leave a gift on a friend’s porch anonymously. 
37. Compliment your server to their manager. 
38. Call someone on their birthday instead of texting them or posting on social media. 
39. Donate books to the library. 
40. Visit a nursing home.
41. Check in on a friend or loved one who is going through a hard time. 
42. Mow your neighbor’s lawn. 

43. Text somebody and tell them how thankful you are to have them in your life.

44. Volunteer in the children’s wing at your church. 
45. Bring your coworkers donuts, or a side of fruit if they’re trying to eat healthy. 
46. Offer to babysit a friend’s kids or for someone who needs a night out.  
47. Give your mail carrier a gift and say thank you.
48. Thank your sanitation workers with a card or gift.
49. Share an inspirational quote on social media. 
50. Call your mom or grandma and ask how they’re doing. 
51. Ask someone you pass by on the street if you can pray for them. 
52. Write a good review for a local business. 
53. Donate new toys and books to a children’s hospital.  
54. Send a thank you note to your kid’s teacher. 
55. Pay for a family member or friend to get an oil change. 
56. Leave encouraging notes around the house for your spouse and kids. 
57. Ask someone if they need help with anything. 
58. Bake cookies for your local police station and say thank you. 
59. Give someone a gift card you don’t think you’ll use. 
60. Do a favor for your neighbor, such as shoveling snow in their driveway or raking their leaves. 
61. Lend a friend a book or movie. 
62. Hide money in unexpected places.
63. Make a card for someone.  
64. Plant a tree. 
65. Invite someone over for dinner. 
66. Volunteer to walk dogs at the local animal shelter. 
67. Tell your spouse you love them. 
68. Put change in the vending machine for someone else to use. 
69. Leave a copy of the Bible with a note on a plane or bus. 
70. Bring someone a cup of coffee. 
71. Donate to someone’s cause through GoFundMe or Kiva. 
72. Put a quarter in an expired meter. 
73. Send thank you notes to soldiers overseas. 
74. Buy groceries for a family in need or for the person behind you in line.  
75. Participate in a fundraiser. 
76. Leave positive post-it notes on the mirror in a public restroom. 
77. Donate blood. 
78. Organize a bake sale for charity. 
79. Write a positive message in sidewalk chalk for passersby. 
80. Leave a great tip for your server. Gary and I have had waitresses break down into tears because they were so touched by this act of generosity! Talk about a great opportunity to share God’s love!
81. Ask someone how their day is going. 
82. Donate canned goods to your local food bank. 
83. Purchase pet food and donate it to an animal shelter. 
84. Offer your services to someone for free.
85. Do some baking for a loved one. 
86. Share your favorite worship song with a friend . 
87. Offer to take someone’s picture and tell them they look beautiful.
88. Donate your hair to Locks of Love. 
89. Send someone an encouraging verse. 
90. Put your phone away while with your family and friends. 
91. Volunteer to help someone move. 
92. Hide a love note in your spouse’s wallet or on their dresser. 
93. Introduce a coworker to a professional contact.
94. Make friendly conversation with a cashier.

95. Volunteer to do arts and crafts with children who are hospitalized.

96. Buy a friend or someone you know a Christmas gift.
97. Pay for someone’s meal at a restaurant. 
98. Be a mentor to someone in need of guidance.
99. Participate in operation Christmas Child or send care packages to soldiers overseas.
100. Give someone a gratitude journal. 

Remember, one moment of kindness can change everything. We truly find happiness when we take our focus off of what is going wrong in our lives and start to think about how we can bless others. 

I just want to encourage you this holiday season to be kind! No matter what is going on in our world, we can still be the light and share God’s love with others. 

Merry Christmas!