One thing we love about kindness is that it can often be done as a family. In the lead up to one or more of your family’s celebrated holidays, consider how kindness could become a family tradition. First, find an empty jar–it can be a pickle jar, a peanut butter jar, a Mason jar, or any other jar you have lying around. That’s your Giving Jar. For the entire month leading up to your family’s holiday, make it a tradition to place a few pennies or a few dollars—anything considered spare change—in the jar at the end of each day. Then, the week before your big holiday, select someone who’s going through a tough time financially and work as a family to give the jar to them anonymously.

If you think it's nice hearing the birds chirp outside your window each morning, this adventure’s for you. Making homemade bird feeders is a fun way to get to know which birds are native to your area, and a great way to help feathered friends when their food sources are scarce in the wintertime. This adventure’s good for the environment too, as bird feeders can be made using all-natural items from your yard, or recyclable products.

If you’ve noticed that a new kid in school is having trouble making friends, or if a neighbor or family member has been feeling blue, send them a happiness kit. Start with a spare shoebox, mug, or basket. Next, fill it with a few things that you think might bring this person joy.  Maybe a joke book, a mug with a smiley face on it, some fresh fruit, a kindness rock, or other items you think they’ll enjoy. Finish it off with a handwritten note of kindness to the person who is feeling blue. When it’s all ready, leave it in a place where you know your friend will find it.