There’s nothing better than knowing you’ve made someone happy –
especially if you can do so in some simple, thoughtful way. Here’s ten
easy ways to make someone smile today: I guarantee you’ll be smiling
too!
I’ll start with the most straightforward and work up to ideas which need a little bit more planning
1. Write a note to say “thank you”
This is such a simple thing to do, but can mean so much. Write a note
today to say “thank you” to someone who has helped you or done
something for you. It could be to a parent, a child, a colleague, a
friend, or even the helpful assistant in your local store.
Bonus points: Post or hand-deliver your note – don’t just send it by email.
2. Set a fun screensaver or desktop on their computer
If you’re in an office, why not switch a colleague’s screensaver for
something fun while they’re away from their desk? Or at home, sneak into
your partner or parent’s office to set up a new desktop background for
them. Make it something that you know will raise a laugh.
Bonus points: Find a screensaver or desktop picture from their favorite TV show or movie.
3. Buy them their favorite candy
3. Buy them their favorite candy
Even once we’re adults, candy can still make us smile. If someone’s a
bit down, buy them their favorite candy – you could give it to them
with your “thank you” note. It needn’t be anything expensive: a well
chosen chocolate bar might be just the thing.
Bonus points: Find out their favorite candy from their childhood, and buy that. (I’m very fond of Kinder Surprise…)
4. Send them an unexpected card
One step up from sending a thank you note is sending a card. A
“congratulations” on a job well done or on a big life change (such as
graduation) will always raise a smile. You might have to be a bit
creative, but there’s always some special occasion to offer an excuse to
send a card.
Bonus points: Hand-make the card. Don’t worry if you’re not
great at craft; just keep the design simple – if possible, making it
personal to the recipient.
5. Do their chores
There’s nothing nicer than coming home to find that someone else has
cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed! Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in
with the chores: this goes down especially well with partners and
parents.
Bonus points: Do a chore which you know they hate – cleaning the oven, perhaps, or ironing.
6. Make their favorite breakfast
Breakfast is an often-neglected meal – yet there are so many tasty
options. One morning, get up early and prepare breakfast for one of your
family or housemates. This could be as simple as nipping out to the
bakery for some really nice pastries.
Bonus points: Set the table and get everyone to eat together, or lay out a special tray for the breakfast person!
7. Wrap up a surprise present
Receiving birthday gifts is always fun – but it’s more of a surprise
to get a present on an ordinary day. Buy a book, DVD, card game or other
small gift that you know the recipient will love, and wrap it up for
them.
Bonus points: Try making this into a game that you play on a regular basis, perhaps each surprising the other with a small gift once a month.
8. Make a mini photo album
Collect some photographs of friends and family, and put them into a
mini photo album. You could either try making your own from card and
ribbon, or use an online service such as PhotoBox to upload photographs and get a mini album printed.
Bonus points: Dig out some old childhood photos (you might have to use a scanner if you’re making the album online).
9. Give them a day off
If you know someone with children, offer to take the kids off their
hands for a day. It can be really hard for busy parents to get a break
to rest and recharge – and if you pick some fun things to do, you’ll
have a great day too! (Theme parks, kid-friendly museums, ice-cream
shops and leisure centers are all good options.)
Bonus points: Combine this with theater tickets or another “activity” gift that the recipient can enjoy without the children around.
10. Put together a book of their achievements
This requires quite a bit of planning and preparing, but it could
become a treasured gift. Get a nice scrapbook and fill it with photos,
newspaper clippings, graduation programs and anything else you can find
that relates to special moments and days in the recipient’s life.
Bonus points: This makes a great 21st birthday
gift, with a page for each year from 1 to 21 (my mum made one for me
which included things like my first postcard home from camp).
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