Hi everyone, my daughter was reading a devotional book and it talks about doing a random act of kindness for someone. She chose our neighbor. I have no idea what to do! This neighbor has her house up for sale, but don't know how quickly she will move (some houses here are selling in weeks, some take many months). Her husband has MS so she is needing to move to a one story house that is more accessible to him. They have grown children, so it's really just the two of them right now.
I don't know what we should get them! It will be anonymous, so I can't do any homemade treats (I wouldn't eat anything if I didn't know who made it!). I would like to do some moving theme stuff. All I have thought of so far is maybe a pizza gift card so they can order a pizza during the busy move. I can't think of anything to do that would be memory-related to this home, they raised their children here so I'm guessing it's hard to leave. They are moving to another neighborhood really close, so it won't really be a new town or anything. If you were moving, what would help you preserve the memory of your current home?
Any other ideas? Any ideas not necessarily related to moving? I'm totally stumped. I'm hoping to spend $30 or less. Thanks for any ideas!
Thanks for the ideas for our random act of kindness so far! We are trying to teach our daughter the value of doing something without receiving credit (which is also what the book suggests), so for this one, we do plan to have it be anonymous. We often do shovel their driveway to help them out, so I appreciate that suggestion and we will definitely continue to do that. And you all made me make a big mental note to offer to help them pack, clean up the yard, etc. once they sell the house. To answer a few, we don't actually know them very well. We've seen the dad struggle with his MS for a few years now and it has given my daughter a soft spot for them.
I think I'm on the right track now, but must say how odd it is to have people quibble over the definition of random! Very weird. Because we are not friends with them, it's not a holiday or birthday, and not in response to an invitation or request for help, it absolutely is random! I think some of you are thinking of spontaneous versus random, such as the helping someone at the store in the spur of the moment. So interesting commentary, but I wasn't asking for a clarification of the definition and didn't need help there.
I love the ideas so far- things like the statue to bury and the framed picture and the others as well are the types of ideas that are so great but I just never think of!! Please keep the ideas coming! My daughter is so excited to do this random act of kindness, I just want to help her make it fun and useful!! Thanks mamas!
Moving supplies-boxes, rubbermaid containers, tape,etc..If it doesn't have to be anonymouse, maybe you could help them pack.
Yard cleanup is also a huge help. Supplies like paint/brushes,etc for those last minute fixes.
Does she need help cleaning up her yard like raking the leaves or shoveling snow? Does it have to be anonymous? A cup of tea and someone to talk to can be the greatest gift to someone making a large life change.
K.:
I'm sorry - Random Acts of Kindness aren't "chosen" in advance in my interpretation.
it's like filling a need when you see someone stuck....what have I done? Paid for the person behind me at Starbucks, McDonald's or someplace else....even in grocery stores...
here's my ROK - I was grocery shopping 5 years ago. I had NO cash on me and my debit card was NOT working (I had money but it wasn't going through), I had NO credit cards and only had $24 in needed food (bread, milk, etc.) and could NOT get a hold of my husband. The W. in line behind me? She paid for my groceries. I cried. I didn't even have my checkbook with me (I HATE writing checks). I have NEVER been able to find her again. I thanked her profusely through my tears. THAT's RANDOM in my book.
If your daughter wants to do something kind for her neighbors, then I would help keep the front picked up - if it's snowing - make sure the walkway is cleared....maybe bring some "color" to her front door by bringing flowers.
Good luck!
The idea of RANDOM acts of kindness is that they are completely out of the blue, not something you really plan or think about. Doing something for someone you don't even know perhaps, like just being in the store parking lot and helping an elderly person get their groceries loaded into thier car or helping someone pick up the pile of papers they just dropped. My hubby jumped in the last time we were at Disneyland when he saw a Dad taking a family photo (without Dad in it) and said "hey, how about I get a picture with you in it?". Little things that would help someone and perhaps brighten their day.
It is nice to think of doing something for a neighbor by buying something for them, but I think the idea is to instill kindness in every day actions.
M
Thanks for doing your part to make this world better! I am not going to argue with anyone over an act of kindness!
There are proven things that make a house sell quicker that our realtor told us. Here are the three I chose:
A pot of red flowers by the door.
A new black welcome mat.
A bowl of lemons and limes on the kitchen table.
Go forth and kind someone today!
why does it have to be anon??
GEt her a ST Anthony statue to bury in the ground...supposed to help sell the house faster. Get them at a catholic store. In some area of the country these are super common-mine included.
take a black and white shot of their house and frame it. I would say get a pencil sketch made but that might be pricey.
I don't know how old your daughter is but an act of kindness doesn't have to involve spending money. Why not ask if they need help preparing for the move? Maybe help packing, maintaining the yard/house or even help with her husband if he needs it. If you want to spend money I like the B&W pic of the house idea.
Well since it is premeditated and she has chosen a recipient there is nothing random about this act of kindness. How about shoveling their walk?
Maybe take a picture of their home from the outside, have it framed, maybe with one of those "Home is where the heart is," themes? Then I'd wrap it and deliver it maybe with a bottle of wine, saying good luck?
You don't have to buy anything (unless you want to). You can do some little things. By the way, how close are you to this neighbor? If you and your daughter don't say hello to her very often, start saying hello and asking her how things are progressing with the house sale. That's a non-random act of kindness that everyone needs.
Do your neighbors still get the newspaper? If they do, go pick it up from the sidewalk or the yard and put it by the front door so they can just reach out and grab it when they want to. If it snows some more, do a quick walk-shoveling at her house so she won't have to. A pizza gift card sounds like a wonderful idea if they eat pizza. When they're close to moving, you might surprise them with a small book of pictures taken around the neighborhood.
No, it's not exactly random, because with a neighbor who knows you it has to be "secret" more than "random." These things may not be entirely secret, either, but they could still be little surprises that show kindness. Now, if your daughter shoveled all the walks on your block, whether you know the people or not, that would be more random.
Are they doing any open houses? Maybe a gift card to a local cleaning company so they have some help getting the house ready to show?
A roll of bubble wrap. Tissue paper for small breakables. Boxes. Swiffers. Also, on moving day, it's not anonymous, but show up with bottled water. Moving is thirsty work. Bonus: it's also an act of kindness for the movers! (Can you guess how often service people get offered refreshments? Almost never.)
What do they do on trash day? Do you or your daughter get home before them? Just moving the trash can from the end of the street to the house is a huge favor for someone to find at the end of an exhausting day. Also, if they are trying to reduce all the stuff they've accumulated through the years, and trying to sell their house and keep it neat, I'm guessing they are generating a lot of trash. So if you ever have room in your trash can, you might offer to let them use it.
If there is someone in your area who paints Christmas ornaments, or you can have one made with a photo on it, maybe have a picture of their house put on an ornament? My in-laws have one of their old house, and it always gets a place of honor on their tree.
I'm agreeing with lots of other moms - does it have to be anon? I mean, I was thinking that the woman next door could probably use someone to help her haul her boxes to the garage or somewhere as she is packing. That's a lot to do for one person, since it seems her husband may not be able to do that. Maybe your daughter could spend a Saturday afternoon helping her out. Just my thoughts.
Perhaps a really nice potted plant for her front porch. When you sell your home, you always try to up the curb appeal and make your entrance warm and inviting. She can even take it with her when she goes to remember the annonymous gift given to her.
Edited to add....I am in FL so its warm here. Just noticed you are in CO. I am not sure if there are winter friendly plants or not to support my suggestion. If not, I like the previous poster's suggestion about helping with the yard (raking/shoveling whatever).
How about a pretty pot of flowers like pansies and snapdragons for her front porch or steps?
I agree with Michelle G.
Gift Cards to Target/Grocery Store or a salon she likes for a Mani/Pedi (let her get some pampering)
Drop off a Gift Basket with some pampering stuff inside - Maybe a Movie Night Theme for the two of them
How about helping them pack. Give them a gift cert. to their fav. restaurant. Mow the lawn with permission :)
Why, that's not random at all. What you are trying to do is a regular old act of kindness. That's just as good as a random act, but not characterized by the relative spontaneity of a random act. Maybe making that distinction can remove some of the pressure for you.
Maybe drag their trash cans from the curb after each pick-up. Put their newspaper at the front door when you notice it elsewhere. Mow their lawn when you mow yours. If you know where they do their shopping, give them a gift card or note of credit.
