“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:35

In our family, giving to others is a principle that we try to instill in our children throughout the year.

But when it comes to Christmas, I find myself desiring to emphasize the beauty of giving even more. I want my children to grow up remembering the joy of GIVING at Christmastime – that it truly is better to give than to receive.

And I have a feeling others feel just the same as I do.

Introducing #RACKWEEK

That’s why I’d like to invite you to join me for a Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Week this week (December 7 – 12, 2014). Giving is always fun – but even more fun is knowing that we are a part of community of people focused on giving, isn’t it?

Joining is easy. At some point this week, find a way to be kind to someone who doesn’t expect it. We’ll be sharing our R.A.C.K.’s (Random Acts of Christmas Kindness) over on The Merry Little Christmas Project Facebook page. You can just leave a comment on the wall sharing how you found joy in giving this week or wait until Friday when we’ll do one big Facebook comment thread celebrating our GIVING this week.

Even better, post a picture of your R.A.C.K. along with the hashtag #RACKWEEK on Facebook or Instagram!

No matter what, let’s just pass on some kindness to those who need it this week, shall we? Leave a comment if you are up for the challenge!

Need some inspiration? Here are 50 Random Acts of Christmas Kindness ideas for you: 

• Make a Card for a Soldier (contact your local Red Cross)
• Write a Thank You Note to someone who might not expect one
• Do Yard Work for a Neighbor
• Pick up litter in your neighborhood – or someone else’s
• Make Bird Seed ornaments to give to your neighbors
• Pay for the car behind you at the drive-through
• Leave coins and/or laundry detergent with a note at the Laundromat
• Leave a dollar and a note in the Kids’ section of the Dollar Store
• Leave the correct amount of change in a baggie taped to a Redbox
• Write cards to any shut-ins that you know
• Donate needed items to a local food pantry or homeless shelter
• Donate your time to a local food pantry or homeless shelter
• Pay a past due fine for someone at the library
• Donate a special talent of yours to someone in need (crafting, technology, cooking, etc.)
• Smile at everyone you see
• Visit someone in a nursing home
• Adopt a soldier and send a care package
• Donate toys or groceries to a Ronald McDonald House
• Bring a cup of coffee to a friend or someone who is having a rough day
• Leave treats or a gift card for your mail carrier
• Do something special for someone in your family
• Donate to a local animal shelter
• Leave coupons near products in a store
• Tip a server more than you normally would
• Put a quarter in a meter that’s about to expire
• Buy stamps for the person behind you at the Post Office
• Donate blood
• Make a date night kit for a couple who needs a break (Redbox code, popcorn, candy, hot chocolate)
• Call someone you haven’t in a while and let them know you are thinking of them
• Have a nice camera? Offer to take family pictures for a family in need
• Make personal care kits for abuse or homeless shelters
• Send a thank you note to your child’s teacher
• Donate a gift to Toys for Tots
• Adopt a child from Angel Tree.
• Offer to babysit a busy Mom’s kids for the afternoon
• Go Christmas caroling in a Nursing Home
• Bring misplaced shopping carts back
• Take a homeless person some food or drink
• Offer to walk someone’s dog
•  Go spend some time with a shut-in
• Leave a quarter in a gumball machine
• Bring donuts to your local police or fire department
• Organize a neighborhood play date at your house
• Order a pizza to be delivered to a busy Mom
• Write “Have a Great Day” in chalk on your neighbors’ driveways
• Find a parking attendant in a cold garage and bring him/her a hot chooclate
• Surprise the cashier when you are shopping and buy him or her a gift card as part of your order
• Print a photo of your family and write THANK YOU on it and pass it out to those who need to be thanked
• Donate diapers to a crisis pregnancy center
• Buy a gift card for a gas station worker

Have any other ideas to add to the list?