101 random acts of kindness

big thank you to helpothers.org and daretobeanangel.com for many of these ideas :)

1. prepare a meal for a homeless person
2. smile :)
3. call your mother to tell her you love her
4. write a handwritten note
5. knit a beanie or blanket for a homeless person
6. put change in the washer/dryer for the next person
7. fill an expired or about to expire parking meter
8. leave some extra money in the vending machine
9. buy a little extra grocery for the local food bank
10. plant a tree
11. send your favorite grade school teacher flowers
12. write a thank you letter to your parents
13. pay the toll for the person behind you
14. tape a nice saying or thought to a bus window
15. instead of just thinking it, compliment someone
16. give a sad looking stranger a happy music cd
17. ask someone “how are you?” mean it. and listen.
18. make some baked goods for your neighbor(s)
19. hug your loved ones for no particular reason
20. make breakfast for your partner or housemate
21. call someone you haven’t talked to in a while
22. give someone a flower …or a dozen
23. offer someone else your seat on the bus/train
24. visit a senior center or nursing home
25. say “thank you” for the otherwise routine, mundane
26. pick up trash
27. donate one of your favorite possessions
28. give someone a fruit basket
29. collect clothes to take to a local shelter
30. stop to have a conversation with a homeless person
31. give an inspiring book to a struggling friend
32. leave your favorite book in a public place with a note
33. donate books to your local library
34. visit an animal shelter
35. volunteer at a soup kitchen
36. build a home with Habitat for Humanity
37. mentor local youth
38. pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru
39. buy dessert for someone eating out alone
40. pick up the tab for a random table at a restaurant
41. put $10 on a random gas pump
42. buy flowers for the cashier at the grocery store
43. visit an orphanage with some goodies
44. prepare a “to-go” breakfast for the morning mailman
45. mail a friend some cupcakes
46. send anonymous flowers to your office receptionist
47. buy an extra umbrella on a rainy day
48. give your waiter or waitress a huge tip
49. tape an anonymous joke to your boss’ monitor
50. send a nice card to a family member, just because
51. don’t lose any opportunity to say: i love you
52. leave a funny or kind note in an unexpected place
53. invite a non-local friend over for dinner with your family
54. read to a child
55. rake someone’s yard
56. be a courteous driver
57. hold the elevator
58. visit a lemonade stand
59. recycle
60. offer someone an unexpected tip
61. set up a free lemonade stand on a hot day
62. take some soup or hot chocolate to a homeless person
63. leave a collection of positive news clippings in a waiting room
64. practice patience
65. refrain from gossiping; speak well of others
66. act as if the glass were half full
67. turn off a leaky faucet
68. let someone get ahead of you in line
69. listen intently
70. prepare a nutritious sack lunch for a homeless person
71. babysit for a single parent
72. wave a “honk if you like to smile” poster at a street intersection
73. be bold in your appreciation of life around you
74. create an inspired piece of art and gift it to someone
75. give a lottery ticket to a stranger
76. compliment a stranger sincerely
77. run an errand for someone
78. give something awesome away on craigslist
79. leave some extra stamps at the post office
80. send a friend an old photo and recall that time
81. send a random person in the phone book a small gift
82. send your sibling a small gift anonymously
83. donate an hour of your professional services
84. invite someone who is alone over for dinner
85. leave chocolate for your co-worker
86. spend time with the elderly
87. share your secret recipe with a friend
88. write a letter of appreciation
89. introduce yourself to someone you always see around
90. anonyously send a friend in need some cash
91. throw kids in your neighborhood a pizza party
92. tape some change to a payphone
93. put up anonymous, lovely post-it notes for strangers to find
94. donate blood
95. cook dinner for a busy parent
96. give a little one a lollipop
97. make time
98. speak gently
99. laugh heartily
100. share your last bit
101. one time, stop everything to help someone else