Making someone’s day brighter is an amazing way to start off your week and a great way to show your appreciation to loved ones or even a stranger. There’s something wonderful about brightening someone’s day by making their workload a bit lighter or reaching out with a small act of kindness. Check out 50 ways to make someone’s day better.
1. Say thank you. Showing appreciation doesn’t have to be a grand or expensive gesture. Saying thank you can often show someone that you appreciate having them in your life.
2. Return the favor. If someone has been helping you out with something lately, then return the favor. Do something for the person that you think they need in their life right now like helping to clean their home or to prepare a nice dinner for them.
3. Hold the door open for someone. It is always a kind gesture when someone unexpectedly holds the door open for me. You might be surprised at how many people appreciate this gesture.
4. Give someone a compliment. Tell someone you love their sweater or how their hair looks really nice today. Make sure your compliment is truthful and kind.
5. Smile at a stranger. Sometimes I’ll make eye contact with someone walking by, and they’ll quickly look away. However it is always nice when someone smiles in return and it always brightens my day a little more.
6. Bake something for your colleagues. Few things help the Monday blues but delicious goodies can often do the trick. Bring in some freshly baked sweets to share with your colleagues.
7. Plan a get together with friends. Life can get busy with work and responsibilities. Your friends probably miss you and I’m sure you miss them too. Organize a night to get friends together so that you all can look forward to spending time together and a fun catch up.
8. Send someone an e-card. I love receiving an unexpected card from a friend whether that is for the holidays, a birthday or just on a random day. Surprise a loved one with an e-card.
9. Donate your possessions. The things you are neglecting are often things that people need and would love in their lives. As a side effect, you’ll reduce the clutter in your life. Gather up unwanted clothes, books, furniture and other items and donate to someone or an organization.
10. Give someone a hug. You may never know how much someone needed your hug today, but a hug is a simple and effective way to brighten someone’s day.
11. Have a bowl of candy near your desk. At my old workplace I used to fill up my candy bowl to share with others and it always seemed to add a little brightness into my coworker’s lives. Consider having a bowl of candy on your desk with some delicious goodies for everyone to enjoy.
12. Listen to someone. A simple way to brighten someone’s day is to offer them an ear of support. Often times we just need to vent or feel like someone cares. Listening offers a way for someone to tell their story and know that you indeed care.
13. Pay it forward. Pay for a stranger’s meal or coffee anonymously.
14. Give up your seat on a crowded train or bus. During peak hours, the train or bus can get packed and make the experience not so great for someone. Offer up your seat to someone, especially to someone who may need the seat more than you.
15. Give your leftovers to the homeless. Some of us are in the fortunate position of having too much food and can waste our food. Instead of throwing the food in the trash, save your leftovers and give it to a person who is homeless.
16. Invite someone orphaned to your home to your home for the holidays. As an expat in Australia, I always am very happy when someone invites me to their home or to spend time with them during the holiday season. If you have someone who doesn’t have family nearby, invite them to join in on the holiday festivities with you this year.
17. Offer to support someone’s hobby. Do you know a writer, musician, comedian, athlete or someone involved in the arts? A big day brightener for the entertainers and artists in your life might be asking to read their work, attend a poetry reading, a comedy show, a sport event or view their artwork.
18. Reach out to an old friend that you have been out of contact with for a long time. Say hello to them and ask them how they are.
19. Tell someone that they inspired you.
20. Put spare change into an expired parking meter to help someone avoid getting a parking ticket.,
21. Share your skills with someone for free. You can spend time teaching someone a new language, how to garden, how to draw, how to cook something or whatever skill you have to offer.
22. Create a website for free for someone who lacks the technical skills to do so themselves.
23. Leave flowers for someone unexpectedly.
24. Share inspiring quotes or stories to someone via written notes or by posting it to their social media wall.
25. Call your friend instead of sending a text or a message. A call can be unexpected and a nice surprise for someone who is used to receiving texts from you.
26. Surprise a friend with their favorite dessert or dish next time you see them.
27. Invite a coworker you rarely spend time with to lunch. This can also apply to new hires who may not know anyone yet and may not have anyone to share their lunch with.
28. When shopping, put unwanted groceries or clothes back where you found them. Often we place them on inappropriate shelves out of inconvenience, but doing this can make someone’s job more difficult and stressful than it needs to be.
29. Volunteer to shovel snow for someone.
30. Allow your friend to choose the music next time you are in a car with them.
31. Send a note to someone in your life who has really helped you. This can be to a colleague who helped you complete a project or a pastor who really inspired you with her sermon.
32. Wish people a happy birthday. Instead of relying on social media to say happy birthday, send someone a text, give them a call or leave them a handwritten card.
33. Tell someone a funny and appropriate joke.
34. Tell someone you love them and make sure you mean it.
35. Support someone who needs it. Maybe someone is being picked on at school or had a recent loss in their life like losing their job. Actively provide them with support and show them they have a friend who cares.
36. Buy someone a cheap and small gift. Don’t spend too much to avoid your friend feeling guilty or uncomfortable. Next time you go somewhere new, find a small trinket to give to your friend to show you were thinking about them.
37. Send your friend a postcard. If you are traveling overseas or domestically, find a postcard and send to a friend. Your friend will love getting a postcard with a handwritten message in the mail.
38. Babysit for your friend or family member. Give them the gift of some free time.
39. Leave a generous tip or write a stellar review for someone. Whenever I get excellent customer service, I’ll leave someone a tip or write the person an excellent review and will try to cc their manager. Who knows, that review may be one of the reasons that person gets a raise or promotion.
40. Donate to a charity. You don’t have to donate a ton of money but even a small donation can go far.
41. Give someone your umbrella on a rainy day.
42. Offer to do errands for someone who is sick or is too busy.
43. Be compassionate during disagreements. Try not to react in anger or be dismissive of someone’s opinion. Listen and be kind. Compassion goes a long way in making someone happy.
44. Be a mentor to someone.
45. Share a recipe, book or movies with a friend you think might enjoy it.
46. Go out of your way to visit a friend. Many of us have friends that live in other parts of the city. Offer to drive to their house so that they can relax and stay at home.
47. Be positive. Your positivity can spread like wildfire. Be positive and watch how others are affected by you.
48. Offer to recycle someone’s items correctly. For instance, if your friend has a large collection of plastic bags, offer to recycle the bags for them.
49. Send a text to a friend asking them about something they told you recently. For instance, if your friend had a big exam or just came back from a trip, ask them about how it all went.
50. Offer your help to someone new in town or at work. People new in the area will appreciate being invited out to a fun event with friends or out to dinner. A newcomer at work will appreciate the tips and advice you can give.
Being kind can go a long way. The more you focus on brightening someone else’s day, the more these habits will become part of your lifestyle. By sharing your love, you will inspire others to share their love too.