Random acts of kindness this christmas

Jordo

Every year around this time I always buy a homeless person a cup of tea.

I usually crouch down and have a bit of a chat with them too, something along the lines of "bloody freezing today mate, have this brew, might warm you up a bit"

I'm not one for giving them change, but in the cold weather and then watching their faces light up is always a pleasure.

smartpicture

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Hmm - I might seem like a bit of a miserable old git but I don't think that you should be boastful of an act of kindness... it takes the shine off.

Unless you only did it to impress...

I don't really see the problem with this - who cares what your motives are or if you it makes you feel a big smug, the act of kindness still stands alone as a nice thing to do that brings pleasure to someone regardless of that.

bossymoo

We have a group at work and we organise a christmas party each year for a group of under-privileged children and their carers. It gets more tricky every year with various "rules" (the latest being that we are not allowed to let anyone take any excess food home - don't ask! Although they are allowed a selection box so we made the most of the 3-4-1 offer in Mr M lately).
Having said that, its not exactly random, its very much planned and takes rather a lot of organising.

LEJC

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read and reply to my thread...its good to see that acts of kindness do happen in amonst our daily lives...




For some reason my "thank you button" does not seem to register when I try and thank posts individually
I absoultley acknowkedge that acts of kindness shouldnt just happen at christmas, but I guess its a time of year when you do think more about those around you....and when you reflect on the year thats past....
So if anyone would like to pass a random act of kindness back to me...and knows how I can reinstate my thank you button....I would be very grateful.


its been like it for a few days I click on thanks but nothing registers and then it disappears......I'm starting to wonder if regular users of the forums think im being rather rude in not thanking them for their contributions!!!!

Emoticon

aileth wrote: »

I let my husband out of his dungeon for a stroll.

Does that count?

You are too kind Mistress Aileth!!
Make sure he shows his appreciation...perhaps by a few hours housework...or by taking you out for dinner?
:T

LEJC

aileth wrote: »

I let my husband out of his dungeon for a stroll.

Does that count?

.....MAYBE...But perhaps you ought to consider giving him christmas dinner too!

aileth

LEJC wrote: »

.....MAYBE...But perhaps you ought to consider giving him christmas dinner too!

That depends on what he's bought me for christmas :rotfl::rotfl:

Tiddlywinks

Jordo wrote: »

Every year around this time I always buy a homeless person a cup of tea.

I usually crouch down and have a bit of a chat with them too, something along the lines of "bloody freezing today mate, have this brew, might warm you up a bit"

I'm not one for giving them change, but in the cold weather and then watching their faces light up is always a pleasure.

Great BUT the cold months last from late October til mid March not just at Christmas - we could all help a bit more by 'caring' more often and giving to the Salvation Army etc who do the dishing out of tea, soup, blankets etc all year round.

LEJC

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Great BUT the cold months last from late October til mid March not just at Christmas - we could all help a bit more by 'caring' more often and giving to the Salvation Army etc who do the dishing out of tea, soup, blankets etc all year round.

I really think that you have it in for this thread...its in my opinion clear that you are uncomfortable with people sharing their acts of kindness with others ....yes we all know its cold during winter months and yes we all could be more caring to others the whole year round....but if its one cup of tea or 50 cups of tea that you provide ...its better than giving no tea at all...


If you are one of the people I referred to in my opening post who gives what they can throughout the year selflessly and without thanks.....then I salute you...but to a lot of people thoughts of kindness are more evident only at christmas...so if this thread prompts someone to do a good deed thats one good deed more!...and I thank them too for whatever kindness they bestow on others.


An act of kindness comes in many forms and again if this thread makes others think of how they can be kind..maybe not just at christmas then so be it.

Dozey_crow

I think your post is lovely and a really nice idea.

So far we have wrapped about 70 presents (bought a fair few too the rest came from other group members) for vulnerable and disadvantaged local people and these will be given out alongside food parcels, given quite a bit to good bank collections and donated to our local charity. This is the first year that we have had the financial means to do anything and it means a great deal to us to be able to help others who may be less fortunate. Things weren't great for us a few years ago and some small acts of kindness (receiving a bag of yellow sticker groceries from our neighbor for instance) made a massive difference to us and we believe in paying forward (as well as back!)

That said we haven't bragged about it at all and would have no intention of doing so. Threads like this are a great idea as there are many people who would like to do something to help someone else over Christmas but they just don't know what to do our how to do it. If this thread provides some ideas then great!!!

We are helping to organize a weekly local food Bank next year and will donate time and food to that and food to other ones, give to our local charity and raise funds for the same Christmas event that we have donated to this year. Whist I agree that people need help all year.. Not just Christmas.. I think Christmas is a particular focus because it is associated with family, presents and togetherness. Many people have an enhanced understanding of 'being without' in these circumstances.. the thought of a child not having anything at all on Christmas Day is, for instance, very emotive and people respond to it.

Let's hope we can all take away some more ideas of what we can do to help others either for Christmas or in to 2014.