100 ways to make someone’s day

Did you know that there’s an entire day dedicated to being kind? That’s right, World Kindness Day takes place every year on 13^th November, giving people a chance to spread joy simply for the sake of it.

And let’s be honest, there’s no better time to be kind to others than during the chilly winter months. With shorter days and greyer skies, small acts of thoughtfulness, like paying a stranger a compliment or checking in on a friend, can actually make a huge difference.

So, it’s with this in mind that we decided to dig a little deeper and uncover how often people are really carrying out thoughtful acts. And to keep the ripple of kindness going, we’ve pulled together a list of 100 ways to be kind which you can use for inspiration!

How often do you carry out random acts of kindness?

We asked 500 people how often they carry out small acts of kindness, and the results were enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. Most people (29%) said that they spread kindness multiple times a week, with 15% doing so daily. That’s nearly half of our participants doing something thoughtful for others on a regular basis.

A further 17% said that they aim to make a kind gesture weekly, and 19% do so multiple times a month. Even amongst those who are a bit more occasional with their good deeds, 12% still manage to spread kindness monthly, with 7% doing something kind every few months.

So, while the world can feel a little bit gloomy at times, it’s clear that there’s actually a lot of good going on behind the scenes.

How do you feel about random acts of kindness?

When we asked about how people feel about giving and receiving kindness, the emotional benefits were clear. 31% said that they feel accomplished while being kind, while a quarter of people mentioned that receiving kindness makes their day.

22% said that doing random acts of kindness gives them a sense of purpose, 16% mentioned how it lowers stress, and 12% said that they feel more connected to others. Just over a quarter also said that it restores their faith in humanity when they’re on the receiving end of kindness.

And here’s the thing, it appears kindness is catching, with 10% saying that receiving a kind gesture makes them want to do something nice in return.

Why is kindness so important?

Kindness might seem like a small thing, but research shows that it has some seriously impressive benefits, especially when it comes to our health and wellbeing. Being kind and receiving kindness can help lower stress, anxiety, and even blood pressure in some cases. It’s also a proven mood-booster, making us feel less lonely and more connected!

Health Psychologist, Dr. Ravi Gill, dives deeper into this, explaining:

‘Giving or receiving random acts of kindness has a powerful positive impact on mood. Acts of kindness trigger the release of feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, which boost happiness, reduce stress, and strengthen social bonds. Performing kind acts also enhances a sense of purpose and self-worth, while receiving kindness fosters feelings of gratitude, safety, and connection. Overall, even small gestures can create an upward spiral of positive emotions for both giver and receiver.’

100 acts of kindness

Ready to hop on the random acts of kindness trend? We’ve pulled together 100 different ways to make a difference to someone’s day (and most likely yours too).

Everyday kindness

1. Smile at a stranger
2. Hold the door open for someone
3. Pay it forward at your favourite coffee shop
4. Cut your neighbour’s grass or bring their bins back on a rainy day
5. Offer to help carry someone’s heavy shopping
6. Check in on a sibling
7. Offer to walk your friend’s dog
8. Return someone’s trolley at the supermarket
9. Send a kind text to a long-distance friend
10. Leave a positive post-it note in a public place

Kindness at home

11. Cook dinner for your partner or family
12. Do some chores (without being reminded)
13. Call your grandparents
14. Make your mum a cup of tea, exactly how she likes it
15. Plan a surprise movie night (snacks included)
16. Water your housemate’s dead plants
17. Give someone a hug
18. Ask a family member how they are, and really listen
19. Do the weekly food shop
20. Bring home surprise dessert

Kindness at work or school

21. Make your co-worker a coffee
22. Bring in treats for your team
23. Leave a kind message on someone’s desk
24. Offer to help a friend meet a tight deadline
25. Teach a colleague a skill or a process
26. Ask a new starter to sit with you at lunch
27. Hold the door open for a classmate
28. Give a genuine compliment to a teacher
29. Sit with a new student on their first day
30. Thank your boss, teacher, or mentor for their support

Kindness in your community

31. Volunteer your time at a local food bank
32. Donate a bag of clothes you no longer wear
33. Leave a kind review for a local shop or café
34. Leave a tip
35. Buy someone experiencing homelessness a hot meal
36. Take some of your older books to a little library
37. Ask a customer service worker how their day is going
38. Help someone in need cross a busy road
39. Let someone merge in front of you in traffic
40. Give directions to someone who’s lost

Online acts of kindness

41. Leave an uplifting comment on someone’s post
42. Send a kind DM to someone who inspires you
43. Share a small creator’s post
44. Recommend a friend’s business publicly
45. Post something uplifting for your friends to see
46. Share a funny video with a friend
47. Reach out and reconnect
48. Donate to an online fundraiser
49. Post something genuine to inspire others
50. Shout out your best friend

Kindness to yourself

51. Take a break if you’re feeling burnt out
52. Grab your favourite sweet treat on your way home
53. Spend some time in nature
54. Compliment yourself
55. Learn that it’s fine to say no when you need to
56. Do something creative for fun
57. Buy yourself flowers
58. Have a bubble bath
59. Get an early night (no doomscrolling allowed)
60. Do your laundry before it turns into a mountain

Kindness to nature and animals

61. Plant a tree
62. Refill your bird feeder
63. Leave water outside for wildlife on a hot day
64. Donate old blankets to an animal shelter
65. Plant herbs in pots and give them to friends
66. Leave out squirrel-safe snacks
67. Buy your friend’s dog a birthday present
68. Remember your reusable shopping bags
69. Join a community clean-up
70. Give your pet an extra-long cuddle

Surprise kindness

71. Hide a £5 note with a kind message
72. Send flowers to your best friend out of the blue
73. Bake a cake for your neighbour just because
74. Lend a friend your favourite book
75. Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru
76. Leave a thank you note for your postie or delivery driver
77. Hide positive affirmations in random library books
78. Donate a box of toys to a local charity shop
79. Sneak a bar of chocolate into your partner’s pocket for a mid-day pick-me-up
80. Send a random uplifting voice note

Kindness in friendships

81. Give your mate a lift home, and let them control the playlist
82. Help a friend move house (then make them buy you pizza)
83. Drop a coffee off if they’ve had a rough day
84. Be the first to say sorry after a silly argument
85. Plan a surprise catch-up
86. Remind them that they’re smashing life
87. Send them a cute postcard from your trip
88. Text them an old inside joke to make them crack up
89. Compliment them behind their back
90. Hype up their selfie

Kindness for strangers

91. Compliment someone’s outfit
92. Offer up your seat on a packed bus
93. Share your umbrella on a rainy day
94. Offer to take a photo for a tourist
95. Hold the lift doors open for someone
96. Help carry someone’s pram, suitcase, or bags up the stairs
97. Hand in a lost item
98. Let someone go ahead of you in a queue
99. Leave spare change in a vending machine
100. Smile and thank the bus driver

While World Kindness Day gives you the perfect excuse to spread some joy, there’s no need to limit it to just one day in the year. Whether it’s a rainy Monday in the depths of January or you feel like surprising a friend, it’s always a good time to do something kind. And remember, kindness is contagious, so you might just find that it’ll come back around!

Feeling inspired? Our send a smile cards are perfect for brightening a friend or loved one’s day. Dive in to find cheery illustrations, uplifting quotes, and comical phrasing. We also have a guide filled with ideas on gifts to cheer someone up, including flowers, foodie gifts, and more!