A GOOD DEED EVERY DAY!
Try a different kind of advent calendar this Christmas…
Forget the chocolate, this year we’re counting down to Christmas with something a bit more meaningful. Even the smallest act of kindness can have an impact on others – plus being generous is scientifically proven to make us happier, too. Here’s how to spread some festive cheer this year...
1 Start a gift drive Ask colleagues to buy an extra toy or present when they’re shopping. Wrap it and donate to your chosen charity or shelter.
2 Buy the person behind you at the coffee shop their morning latte Paying for that person’s order will make their day and make you feel good, too, so it’s win-win.
3 Seek out singletons If you’re holding an event, make sure you include those who aren’t in a couple – they often get left off the guest list.
4 Plan an “orphans” Christmas Invite those who are away from their home, family and friends to spend the day with you and yours.
5 Donate to a food bank People are doing it tough this year with the cost of living, so add some extra goodies to your trolley and pass it on.
6 Check on elderly neighbours See if they need help decorating, shopping or getting to the post office as they may not be so internet savvy.
7 Ask for charity donations, not presents Just $45 to Mission Australia can help provide crisis accommodation for families with nowhere else to go.
8 Bite your tongue! Tempers get frayed at this time of year, so if someone is getting fired up, take the moral high ground and let it go without responding.
9 Make a new friend Are you guilty of being a bit cliquey at the office? Why not invite someone new to coffee, lunch or post-work cocktails?
10 Take a deep breath in the car park Beeping your horn and battling for that spot is not going to help matters. Park further away – and notch up those extra steps.
11 Be nice to sales assistants Pledge that today is the day you’ll put your phone away at the checkout and give them a cheery smile – which also releases feelgood hormones for you.
12 Offer to babysit Give those poor parents a break by looking after the kids for a few hours while they shop, have a date or find a quiet corner to nap!
13 Don’t forget the grieving It’s a tough time of year when you’ve lost a loved one, so make sure your care and concern extends beyond the funeral.
14 Offer an olive branch Have you fallen out with a friend or family member this year? While some issues are insurmountable, life is short and it might be time to make up.
15 Call a friend Spending just three minutes talking and reminiscing is a guaranteed mood booster, while maintaining a network contributes to a sense of belonging.
16 Embrace snail mail Getting a card through the post is a rarer treat these days, but it’s a lovely way to make people feel connected.
17 Put up some lights Give the neighbourhood a festive glow with some pretty fairy lights outside.
18 Cook up a storm Make extra portions for those who need it most, like new mums, or people recovering from surgery.
19 Shop local Support the businesses who support you. Many communities have special Christmas shopping nights, which can be a fun way to tick off your list.
20 Play the family’s 20 favourite Christmas tunes When parents and young people listen to music together, they have better rapport, less conflict and enjoy better emotional health, says one study.
21 Say thanks the old-fashioned way It’s proven that writing thankyou notes can improve life satisfaction and increase happy feelings!
22 Sign up to volunteer Make 2023 the year that you give back – programs like the Community Visitors Scheme match you up with an older person for companionship and friendship.
23 Have a living Christmas tree Be kind to the environment with a potted plant that will bring joy after the decorations have been packed away.
24 Be kind to yourself Take time out to do something that makes you feel good – a mani-pedi, massage, ocean swim or curl up with a good book.