365 Acts of Kindness

Give someone a hug

Tell someone that they look nice today

Let someone cut in front of you

Tell someone how much they mean to you

Take out the trash without being asked

Say thank you for something that you normally do, or would, not

Plant a tree, or bed of flowers. This can be done with someone else, or done in a place for everyone to enjoy the beauty of nature

Tell a joke to someone wearing a frown

Offer to take your neighbor or friend's dog for a walk for them that day

Pick up a piece of trash from the ground instead of stepping over it

Tell someone how proud you are of them

Put a post it note of a smiley face on someone's computer or desk

Leave a single flower for someone that you care about

Draw someone a picture

Don't put the blame on someone else for something that you are afraid to take responsibility for

Cut the neighbors lawn

Shovel the sidewalk

Shovel for your neighbor. They don't need to be elderly or injured to appreciate this gesture

Donate your time at a nursing facility

Send a card to someone in the military

Volunteer to be a tutor

Be nice to your siblings

Babysit for free to a couple, or parent, who could really use a night out

Give someone a ride

Volunteer to read to students in a classroom, or at the local library

Write a note of appreciation to the custodian

Leave a note on your parents pillow to tell them why you love them and how wonderful of parents they truly are

Give blood

Leave a large tip when you go out to eat

Buy a stranger a cup of coffee

Pay for someone behind you at the drive-thru

Call a friend you haven't talked to in a while just to say hello

Invite someone that you normally wouldn't over for game night with other friends

Anonymously slip someone in financial trouble a ten or twenty dollar bill.

Bring soup to a friend or family member fighting a cold

Listen to someone

Offer your assistance in tedious tasks

Clean up your local parks

If you can afford to do so, the next time that you're at the post office pay for upgraded shipping for the person behind you

Bake goods for the local firefighters or police officers

Tip the garbage man

Write to a stranger in the hospital (I know that children's hospitals LOVE handmade cards of encouragement)

Be there for others during a stressful time, such as an illness or natural disaster

Rake leaves at your neighbors house

Smile & say hello to a stranger walking down the street

Adopt a stray animal

Pick up an extra bag of animal food to give to a friend or neighbor who has that pet

Let someone merge during traffic hour

Wave to someone who lets you cut in front of them while driving

Host a kids night at your house so that other parents can have a night off

Start a kindness box in your office, home, or classroom. Have people put anonymous compliments about a specific person into the box and read it once a week, or month, to everyone involved.

Donate school supplies to your local school or church

Get an extra newspaper for someone on the train

Volunteer your time to do an art project with children

Compliment a complete stranger on what they are wearing

Give a driver the parking spot that you were about to take

Help someone struggling with heavy bags

Remind someone under stress to breathe

Randomly email an inspirational quote

Give away a piece of candy (make sure that it's fully wrapped) to people that you meet at the store, bank, or other retail locations

Leave a thank you note for the mailman

Take someone new under your wing (especially if you're in school)

Stick up for someone who is being picked on

Invite someone new to sit at your lunch table

Start a 'pay it forward' in your own community

Make amends with someone that you never thought you would

Treat a friend to a movie for no particular reason

Fill the fridge with groceries for a friend or family member

Buy groceries for someone that you know is going through a rough patch

Befriend someone new in the neighborhood

When you see a child doing an act of kindness, provide them with a sticker

When a stranger does something for you, such as holding open the door, stop and make it a point to tell them how kind of a gesture that was

Laugh! It can bring a lot of smiles

Write a letter to an old teacher to tell them how they had a positive impact on your life

Send an anonymous gift to a friend

Donate children's books to after school programs or child care facilities

Leave your change with the cashier so that the next person in line who needs a few extra cents can use it

Buy dinner for a complete stranger

Share your own stories of kind acts with others, it might inspire them to do the same

Make holiday decorations that you can donate to schools or facilities in the community that can use them

When you are baking, make an extra one to bring to your neighbor

If you know someone who was recently injured or ill, make it a point to call or stop by to see if they need anything

Sit next to someone on the bench and ask them how their day is going

Smile, even when you aren't having a good day

This is a personal one. If you do something like cleanse your house with white sage and you have some extra, offer it to your neighbor and friend to see if they would like to do the same

Share a funny joke that you heard

Give someone your old cookbook

Get to know someone of a different race

Help someone fix their flat tire

If you see someone broken down, ask if they need a phone

Give someone a hug

Become pen pals with someone in another country

Listen to a child's problems.

Teach a child the difference between confidence and bragging

Get someone started with their vacation fund. Set them up with a piggy bank and a few coins in there to motivate them

Share your own stories. Sometimes talking about serious situations can be all that it takes for others to not feel alone

Get to know a stranger

Don't judge a homeless person. If you're really that curious, ask them their story.

Don't laugh AT anyone, laugh WITH them

Never quit. That next attempt may be the one that changes the world.

Show respect towards your family members

Do your best to prevent bullying

Think before you speak

If you have nothing else to offer, offer your support

If you just read a good book, give it to your friend to read next

If you see someone crying, ask if there is anything that you can do

Sometimes silence can be the kindest act of all.

Send a text picture of something that reminds you of someone, and send it to them.

Buy someone a treat while you're at the store

Watch someone's bike when they need to go in the store

Make a mix tape for a friend

Make it a point to get to know your significant other's friends

Buy someone a journal and randomly place inspirational quotes in it

Tell someone that you care

If you see someone drop something, stop to help them pick it up

Stick up for someone that you know will not stand up for themselves

Offer your advice, but don't get involved until you are asked

Don't take away someone else's spotlight

Buy an extra tube of chapstick in the winter and give it to someone on the streets

Buy a coffee for someone on the streets

Ask the cashier how their day is going, not just in passing but be genuinely interested in their answer

Give your nurse a flower

When you do a favor for someone, ask for them to repeat the gesture in return

Hand sew someone a pillow

Paint someone a picture

Knit a friend a scarf

Give a winter hat or pair of gloves to someone in need

Buy a candy bar that an organization is selling, even if you don't like that candy

Get involved with your favorite charity

Make a new friend

Encourage someone

Give someone your text book instead of selling it back to the school or online

If you're angry, don't have an outburst. Keep your calm. It is better to say nothing at all than to hurt someone during an outburst.

Leave someone a compliment on their facebook wall, or myspace page

Rake the leaves without having to be told

Another personal experience through a friend. Buy someone's pizza. A family friend was at a local pizza place and the only thing that he had on him was his ATM card. I'm not sure if it was on with a Visa symbol on it or not, but the place ended up not accepting the only card that he had on him. A gentleman behind him gave him two 20 dollar bills and told him to pay it forward the next time that he was there, because the first time that he was at the same pizza place someone else had bought his pizza for him. Just another example of paying it forward.

Start a kindness blog. Allow others to share their own acts of kindness.

Donate your time to a local animal shelter

Put change into an expired parking meter or one that is about to run out

Call a distant relative to get back in touch

Instead of collecting donations for your favorite organization, hand out things like bottles of water or sealed snacks with a business card attached about the organization you want to bring more attention to.

Pay a bill around the house

Pay a bill for someone going through financial struggles

Be kind to the earth by hanging your clothes out on a line rather than using the dryer

Tell someone that you believe in them

Sponsor a children's sports team

Make a funny face at someone who could use a laugh

Make a kindness coupon book to give to someone and let them cash in whenever they want. Think about putting things for high fives, smiles, hugs, or anything else that can bring happiness to someone.

Give a friend a shoulder to lean on

Stop in to visit your neighbors at a random time

Help someone cross the street

Don't stop at helping someone carry bags, help them actually put their groceries away

Send someone a 'Kindness Card'. It's a card that states why you think that person is so wonderful!

Invite a troubled friend over for a cup of coffee or tea

Help someone pick vegetables from their garden

Teach someone how to make your favorite recipe

Host a bake sale to raise money for charity

Bake a cake with a friend

Teach someone how to skate

Give you pet a bath

Stop and appreciate the beauty of nature, it will encourage others to do the same

Give someone a makeover

Be patient

Give away a piece of jewelry that you own to someone who truly adores it

Buy someone else's pumpkin at the pumpkin patch

Pay for dinner before you eat, so that no one has the chance to pick up the bill or argue over it

Avoid gossip

Be yourself. It's the kindest thing that you could do!

Offer to pet sit for a friend or neighbor

Help without having to be asked

Be positive. Only say positive things. It will not only rub off on others, but attract positivity as well.

If you bump into someone, say that you're sorry or 'pardon me'

Be open to new experiences

Be kind to your body and exercise

Reward someone for their own kind acts

Set the table

Give someone a party just for being them

Decorate a frame. Put a picture of you and your best friend in it and give it to him/her

Feel proud of yourself

Write someone a silly song or poem

Move on (take this how you will)

Treat your family out to a fun day of mini golf or go karts

Encourage your children to get involved with volunteering

Give someone else the coupons that you aren't using

If you find a great clearance deal at the store, be sure to tell others about it so that they can get the same deal

Don't pressure someone to do something. If they say no, let it go.

Choose a random day to take your friends bowling

Offer to host a 'girls' night if you know that your friend is going through a rough patch. Thing makeovers, nails, sappy movies, and chocolate.

Offer to host a 'guys' night if your buddy is going through a rough patch. Think beers, sports, pool, and pretty ladies.

Treat others how you treat yourself. You wouldn't go around talking negatively about yourself..so don't do it about others.

If you can't totally forgive someone, at least take the first step

If someone truly hurts you and you cannot forgive them, let them go. Take the first step in the healing process

Tell someone what they did wrong. Express yourself calmly through words. Don't get worked up. Don't just hold a grudge or stop talking to someone. They deserve to know what they did wrong.

Sponsor a child

Fly a kite with a friend

Offer your time to the local college for skills that may need to be taught

Tell people about sex trafficking. It's not a kind subject, but it is important enough to shed light on. You never know who could help.

Leave a random post it note of an inspiring saying on the bathroom stall door

Help someone achieve their goals

Simply say something nice

Be a buddy, not a bully

Put together a letter writing kit (include stationary, pens, envelopes, and stamps) and give it to a nursing home or hospital

Put change in a vending machine

Fill someone's gas tank

Leave an old book at a place where someone else can read it

Leave a stamp at the post office so that someone else can use it

Visit someone in the hospital who hasn't had any visitors

Make it a point to bring a special gift to a nurse or doctor at the local hospital

Tell someone that they are pretty

If you read a funny comic book cut it out, and leave it for someone else to read

Write a letter of appreciation to someone in the community

Write a review for your favorite book and encourage others to read it, but be sure that it's an inspirational story or a good meaning behind it.

Donate your clothes

Donate your old toys

Leave some change in a payphone for the next person to use

Write a letter of recognition for a student who has been extra kind and gone out of the way to make the lives of others easier.

Listen to a stranger's story

Smile when you answer the phone. You may not realize this, but you can actually tell the difference.

If you work in customer service, ask someone how their day is going and listen to them if they need to vent.

The next time you call customer service because something is wrong, keep your calm. It isn't their fault. Make your point, but don't get mean.

Share your umbrella on a rainy day

Leave a gift on the front porch for a friend or neighbor

Get a group together to send care packages to people in the military

Get a group together to send care packages to a local woman's shelter

Pick up a t-shirt when they're on sale to donate

Buy someone a movie they keep talking about wanting to watch but never have the time, and leave it for them without them knowing who it is from

Have the neighborhood kids over for a bon fire and teach them how to make s'mores

Share your favorite object

Help a friend put together a shelving unit or other furniture that needs to be put together

Offer your services to help paint for someone who is elderly, or pregnant

If you know someone that looks up to you, take them out for lunch or just to spend time together

Show empathy

Show that you're thankful for what you have

Compliment someone. It can't be about a material object or their physical appearance.

Run a blood drive

A picture is worth a thousand words. Create a display of a thousand kind words.

Respect diversity. Does the color of someone's skin actually matter? Don't judge someone based on their looks. Befriend people because of who they are, not what they look like

Offer a ride to someone who has been drinking

Pay someone else's parking ticket

Reach out to someone who is being bullied. Be their friend, even if you can't prevent others from being cruel

Wake up early to make breakfast for your household

Give someone your full attention

Do something kind every day, not just once a year.

Help and inspire someone in need but don't get involved unless you're asked

Let someone else decide what to watch on the family television

Return someone's lost belongings such as a phone or wallet

Avoid conflict. You may not realize it, but that alone is a HUGE kind act. The less fighting, the happier we are.

Work as a team

Change begins at home. Create a kinder world by showing respect to each other.

Write down someone's name on a piece of paper. Now, write down 5 kind words that describe that person and give it to them anonymously.

Buy a stranger popcorn at the movies

Host a day in the park. Get together with your community. Meet the people in your neighborhood and feel comfortable around them.

Offer to throw out the trash when out at lunch

Shake hands when you meet someone knew

Start a coin jar. When it's full, donate it to your favorite organization.

Make it a point to show your pearly whites to at least ten different strangers during the day

Buy a phone card and give it to someone less fortunate

If you have items that are still good, but you just don't use, post them online for free

Put on a play for a nursing home

Volunteer your time at the local theatre

Donate your old eye glasses to an organization who works with the needy

Make a holiday basket filled with various baked goods to bring to a homeless shelter

Bring word search books, crossword puzzle books, or any other brain challenges to the local nursing home

Take time to make a game night as a family.

When you buy a pair of new shoes, donate your old ones.

Take out an extra twenty when you go to the bank and randomly slip it to a stranger.

Give someone a loan to start their own business. You have to start somewhere, don't you?

Pledge to be drug free

Reach out to someone. Listen. Don't talk, just listen. There's nothing greater than a friend who can just be there for you

Exchange contact information (email, if that's all that you're comfortable with) with someone that you just met who was having a bad day. Keep in touch with them

Go an entire day without cursing

Don't name call

Be nice to everyone, including someone who was rude or ignorant towards you

Stay after a party and help clean up

Be reliable

Ask permission to borrow something that you usually just take

Express yourself without anger, even when you're mad

Pay for a friend to take a yoga or meditating class with you

Treat a friend to a concert

Buy someone the shoes, purse, dress, top, or whatever it was that they liked at the store and give it to them anonymously.

Let your parents, or whoever raised you, know that they did a darn good job!

Keep your promise

Water a plant at a building that appears to be dying

send an e-card

Give a high five

Provide someone with encouragement for their dreams, no matter how unrealistic you may think that they are

Buy ice cream for a stranger on a hot day

Offer your computer knowledge to someone who needs help

Make it a point to visit your grandparents

Leave random post its around the house with kind quotes on them

Make dinner when it's least expected

Invite a friend for a walk

Wave at your neighbors while driving

Give someone a piece of gum

Buy dessert for everyone while out to dinner

If you see something that reminds you of someone, buy it for them

Treat someone to a manicure or pedicure

Host a party for no particular reason, just to get friends together

Take an elderly person to get their hair cut and/or styled

Buy someone a haircut

Buy something handmade instead of buying something from the store, help out the working man ;-)

Pick up a gift card for a small amount the next time that you're at the store and give it to someone on the street, at random

Become part of a program like Big Brother/Big Sister

Put a new roll of toilet paper on when it gets low

Subscribe someone for their favorite magazine

Buy someone something off of their online wishlist

Consider donating to Characters of Character (you didn't think I could put 365 kind acts and not slip that one in there, did you?)

Do what you are told without having to be asked twice

Bring flowers to an unmarked grave

Let someone know that it will be okay

Give an extra dollar at the plate at church

Don't just walk past someone asking for donations. Hear them out. If you still don't agree with what they're mission is..then don't donate.

Give someone a second chance

Apologize for something you said or did wrong

Provide someone with inspiring words

Pour an extra cup of coffee and give it to someone around the house, or office, without them having to ask

Teach someone the importance of quitting smoking

Be friendly to your little siblings or cousins, don't push them away if they want to spend time with you

Listen to your parents

Get involved with a local organization who helps build houses for the less fortunate

Poke fun at yourself for your own flaws when someone else is feeling down because they are being picked on

On a cold day, buy a movie ticket and give it to someone less fortunate living on the streets

Start a conversation with someone that you don't know

Say a prayer for someone that you don't know

Leave Hershey's hugs & kisses on a coworkers desk

Let go of a grudge

Forgive someone for their mistake

Open your house to someone that you don't know