Have a Merry Christmas with Random Acts of Kindness

Boy, my last post was a tad dark. Let's see if we can lighten things up. It's Christmastime after all; my favorite time of the year. I can't think of very much to say right now other than to reassure you that despite normal setbacks that anyone can suffer, I am doing well. My daughter is still in remission and despite having had a lumbar puncture yesterday, she stays mostly sunshine and rainbows.

This year we got an Elf on the Shelf. Lily called Santa and left him a voice mail asking him to please send a girl Elf to our house. She woke up the very next morning to find one sitting in our Christmas tree! She named her Glitzen Von Schweetz. So far, Glitzen is a good elf who mostly watches over Lily and sometimes brings her early presents from Santa. This morning we found her on a book shelf reading "Dipper's and Mabel's Guide to Mystery and Non-stop Fun!" Guess she's a Gravity Falls fan too.

Which reminds me, I DO have something SUPER AWESOME to say, but I am at the office right now (ssshhhh) and I don't think I'm ready to have that emotional happy cry here while I answer the phones. It has to do with the most amazing September we've ever experienced in our lives!

But for now I just wanted to share with you some cool ways to make yourself feel good while spreading a little magic this holiday season. I've compiled a list of Random Acts of Kindness I've found from around the web. So if these were your ideas originally, please forgive my plagiarism. But...it is all for a good cause, so chill. Some of these, Lily and I have done before and I can tell you, it gets really fun. Especially if you try and sneak around really fast and not be seen.

1. Go to a $1 store and leave behind dollar bills in random places (on shelves, taped to a can of food, etc) with a little note that says "Merry Christmas. Please enjoy an item of your choosing on us! Secret Santa."

2. Tape an envelope with some spare change to a random vending machine. Maybe with a note that says "Marry Christmas. Have a Coke and a smile."

3. Donate some blankets to a pet shelter so little Fido's wont have to sleep on the cold concrete.

4. Give food or your time volunteering at a local Food Bank

5. Pay for the car behind you the next time you're at a drive thru food or coffee shop.

6. Give up your spot in line.

7. Make a Christmas Card for your school receptionist

8. Leave nice chalk messages on the pavement around your neighborhood

9. Send a thank you note to someone who's Christmas yard decorations really brighten your holiday.

10. Offer to babysit for a friend so they can have an evening free to decorate, bake or wrap! (...or nap)

11. Give a gift to the bus driver who takes you to work or school every day.

There are lots of ideas on the internet if you're looking for ways to spread a little cheer and magic during Christmastime or throughout the whole year.