I spent from before Thanksgiving to two days before Christmas across the country with my MIL to care for her after her hip replacement. I'm the only female in our very small family and there are some things that would have been very embarrassing for her to have done by her other son. I flew home after 4+ weeks to spend Christmas day with my family and was planning on going back the next day, for another 4 weeks, but MIL had recovered so well that she didn't want me to come back. I was really grateful to be able to have a last family Christmas Day together with my little family unit before our only goes off to college next year.

This is quite simple but I try to give people a true smile when our eyes meet. Usually they will smile back but sometimes I just get the funniest look in return! I figure a smile cost nothing and can be used over & over. You never know when it might change someone's day.

My friend, Paula, is the best listener I've ever met. When you're telling a story, she stops what she's doing, puts down anything she's holding, and leans in to listen to everything you say. It makes a person feel so valued how she pays attention. Then, months later she'll bring up what you said and relate it to something else that's going on. Whenever I see her, I leave feeling on top of the world.


As for myself, I try to be a very good tipper. Waitresses, pizza delivery guys, grocery store baggers, gas station pumpers, almost no one is safe from my tips. I know these folks don't make much money and have to deal with lots of demanding grumpy people, so I try to make it a little more worth it for them.

This is a great thread. I'm enjoying reading everyone's posts.

I've definitely got to work on being a better tipper...that's great that you are so generous in that area...I'm always trying to calculate 20%...but I never think of giving more.

After finding out how many children were at a local shelter, my sister and myself had our boys (15 y/o) make pillowcases. Sis had a great collection of kids prints, we purchased new pillows and a book to go with each. The boys liked the sewing quite a bit!

I took my coat, which I really,really really like and gave it to a homeless person.

When I see someone, I always ask how they are doing and after they tell me, I ask how their family is doing.
i.e. mom, dad, kids and I'll try to mention them by name.
If they ask about me or my family, great. If they don't, I don't fill in the info.

Love reading about all the nice things people do for others!! I had not thought about it much but yes, I do return shopping carts to the corrals, I hold doors open for others, I give smiles, I always say "thank you". Yesterday, while at Walmart a lady 3 people in front of me at checkout line was short just a little money to complete her purchase so I paid what she needed. Then on the way home a pickup truck with an older man and women was stalled half on the road and half off the road. Husband and I stopped, helped push them out of harms way. Made sure they had help coming before we left. We got home, put away groceries and kept wondering if their help came (it was a cold 25 degrees outside) so went back to make sure help had arrived, prepared to bring them home with us or take them to their home, but their daughter was there for them. It does make a person feel good when they are able to help even just a little bit.

We had a brand new stove that the previous owner of our house had installed prior to putting the house on the market. We replaced it immediately, without even turning it on, because we were used to having double ovens. Last month, I asked friends if they knew of anyone who needed a new stove, but who couldn't afford one, and the stove now has a new home where it will be used and appreciated.

We have also given away a couple of my old cars in the past to friends who needed transportation - I tend to keep my cars until forced to part with them ;-)

We also bought several bags of food for needy families through our local grocery store and sponsored a family for Thanksgiving dinner at our barn.

It's not that we are wealthy, but we are fortunate to be better off than many in this dreadful economy. Back in the 80's, I was one of those suffering and had good friends who helped me survive the tough times. Unfortunately, my new medical bills will be limiting our activities somewhat this coming year.

It seems many people give and get help during the holiday season. I try to do things and donate during the whole year, not just at Christmas time. One thing I do is try to keep an eye on some of my eldery neighbors. One neighbor fell and broke her hip so I would go each week and take her trash out for her.