In the Spirit of Christmas: Simple Acts of Kindness to Spread Holiday Cheer in a Fellow Woman’s Life

‘Tis the season of lights, hot chocolate, plum cake, gifts, secret Santa, ornaments and shopping. It’s also the time when we’re caught up with parties, decorating, gathering and so much more. While the arrival of the holiday season means spending time with friends and family, it is also the perfect time to express gratitude and indulge in the act of giving. Though random acts of kindness should be done all year round, the holidays call for something special. This is the time when people who live alone miss spending time with their family back home. Make it special for them. This Christmas, go beyond showering your friends with gifts. Instead, spread joy to a person who is making a difference in your life. It may be your house help, gardener, neighbour or even a stranger.

6 Unique Ways to Bring Christmas Joy to Others

• Declutter & Donate

By God’s grace, we’re all blessed with a house to live in, good food on our plate and a cupboard full of things. The holiday season is the perfect time to declutter. There are so many items we tend to collect over time, some of which we don’t even end up using. Instead of letting them catch dust in your cupboard, take them out and donate it to the less privileged. For example, if there are clothes you no longer wear or fit into, donate them to your house help for their children. What may be clutter to you may be a treasure for someone else. Also, reducing and reusing can go a long way in saving the environment. Instead of just giving it to them in a packet, package it nicely, write a little note, and you will definitely make their day.

• Greet Everyone you Meet

While engaging in the act of giving is a fool-proof way to spread the holiday cheer, simple and uncomplicated acts of kindness also work wonders. You don’t have to go out of your way to do this. You just have to be compassionate by greeting everyone you meet. Wish your house help, neighbour, bank manager and gym instructor a jolly “Happy Holidays”. It will instantly brighten up their day and bring a smile on their face. Everyone around you is fighting a battle you have no idea about. Acknowledging someone’s efforts or saying ‘thank you’ can just make the other person feel more valued.

• Visit a Senior Citizen Home

Festivals are not bright and merry for everybody. Senior citizens particularly are not fortunate enough to spend “the most wonderful time of the year” with their loved ones. If you really want to spread joy in the lives of senior citizens, who are your grandparents’ age, you can simply visit an elderly home. You will find plenty in your area. While there are senior citizen homes, there are also institutions for aged women. You don’t need to go there with fancy gifts. Instead, surprise them by giving them your time. Make it a point to visit on Christmas day. You’re most welcome to take some Xmas goodies for them. Speak to the person in-charge and inform them in advance that you would like to spend the entire day with the elderly.

In case the old-age home has any rules, make sure you adhere to them. Plan the activities you tend to execute beforehand. Play some games, host a carol night, prepare and serve food at their community kitchen or simply teach them a skill.

If there’s one skill most senior citizens these days want to learn is technology. You can teach them a few basic things such as using social media, sending a text message and video conferencing. Once you teach them how they can use various online communication tools, they can stay in touch with their children and grandchildren on a regular basis. In case you don’t want to go alone, gather your friends and all of you can volunteer together.  

• Donate your Old Winter Clothes

Christmas is the time to slow down and spend time with family. However, not everyone is entitled to these luxuries. For the less privileged, winter can be the harshest time of the year, especially with no proper clothing and gear. You can help people around the festive season by donating your old winter wear. Whether you go on a charity drive or hand it over to the homeless people you see on the road, the choice is yours. The point is to help someone in need. Your clothes will not just get a new life but by doing so you will also be able to put across a strong message on sustainable fashion.

• Extend an Invitation

Not everyone celebrates Christmas with pomp and grandeur. For some, it’s just a cosy night in or a good meal. In case you notice a friend or a neighbour lying low amidst the festivities, call them over. It doesn’t necessarily have to be for a meal. You can even invite them to your church for a special Christmas service or ask for their help in putting up your tree. The fact that you thought of them is enough for them to feel special. It’s an instant way to spread the Christmas cheer.

• Check on the Mental Health of your Loved Ones

Always remember, you can make a difference in someone else’s life. Giving and expressing gratitude can boost a person’s self-esteem and be an instant mood pick-me-up. Little acts of kindness can also help you make new friends and protect their mental health.

This holiday season, focus on giving back and spreading the holiday cheer in the lives of those who don’t get to enjoy the festivities to the fullest. Look around you and see who needs to pause, laugh and celebrate for a minute.

How do you plan to bring joy in a fellow woman’s life, this festive season? We’d love to know your idea of spreading cheer.