Share the Love
- Make a playlist. Create a playlist on Spotify or your streaming service of choice and share with your family. Let everyone add a favorite song.
- Volunteer as a family. There is always a need. Check out Harvesters.org for opportunities to help throughout the year.
- Write a note. Choose a few people like neighbors, teachers or friends and write them a note “just because.” You’re sure to brighten their day.
- Bake a treat. Pull out an old recipe or search for a new one and bake up a batch of goodies for the kids to snack on when they get home from school.
- Make pancakes. Whip up a batch of pancakes, then use a cookie cutter to create heart shapes. Serve with strawberry syrup.
- Give a bear hug. When your child or spouse comes home for the day, greet him at the door with a big bear hug.
- Leave a message. Using a dry erase marker, each night during February leave a message for your spouse or child on the mirror to discover each morning.
- Say yes. If there’s a question or request from your child that you typically say no to, trying saying yes (within reason) and watch her face light up.
- Eat dessert. Prepare a fancy dessert (or pick one up from the store) and then start dinner with dessert first.
- Smile. It sounds very simple and it is. Smile at everyone you encounter throughout the day. Even the person that cuts you off in traffic.
- Give a compliment. Challenge family members to give three compliments to three different people during the day.
- Call someone. In this day of texting, a phone call is a welcome change of pace. Pick up the phone and call a friend or family member.
- Take a walk. The short, cold days can bring anyone down. Bundle up during daylight and get some exercise and vitamin D. Invite a friend to join you.
- Do a chore. Is the dishwasher clean? Do clothes need to be folded? Do the chore without saying a word or without being asked.
- Share a meal. When making dinner, double the recipe. Pack up the meal and drop it off at a friend’s house.
- Be spontaneous. Have a load of laundry and grocery shopping to do, but the kids want to see a movie? Ditch the chores and head out for family fun.
- Leave a treat. Write a short note or get a favorite piece of candy and leave a small treat on your child’s or spouse’s pillow.
- Send flowers. A single flower or a bouquet can brighten someone’s day. Send flowers “just because.”
- Don’t complain. When your day doesn’t go as planned, when your child spills a full cup of milk, when your spouse forgets to pick up eggs, choose to smile and not complain.
- Pull in trash cans. After the weekly trash is collected, bring your neighbor’s trash cans from the end of the driveway up to the garage.
- Collect books. Round up books that you and your kids no longer read and deliver them to a day care center or women’s shelter.
- Say thank you. Another simple suggestion, but these two small words can go a long way in making someone’s day.
- Leave change. Tape change to a vending machine so the next person to use it can enjoy a treat on you.
- Share a surprise. Tape a gift card for a coffee on your trash can for your collector, or leave a small treat in the mailbox for your mail carrier.
- Post positive. Put something positive up on social media so when checking, friends and family will have an uplifting message pop up.
- Hold it open. Hold the elevator or the door open for the person behind you. Or, walk ahead and open the door for someone.
- Make lunch. Do your kids pack their own lunches? Does your spouse get his own coffee each day? Surprise them one morning by getting up early and preparing.
- Pay for it. Pay for the person behind you in the drive-through at your local coffee joint or fast food place.