Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Advent Calendar

Deena and I joined the Random Acts of Kindness movement a while ago and ever since have continued to share some of the posts from the website.  The great news is it seems that many others have jumped on board with this movement as well (not as much our doing as it is the doing of so many others at spreading the word).  In fact, I have heard so much about Random Acts of Kindness lately that it just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Recently my friend and neighbor, Ashley, mentioned she was going to change up her kids’ Advent calendar this year to include Random Acts of Christmas Kindness (RACK). So this whole idea is not my own, but instead I jumped on the coat tails of my friend as well as the coat tails of strangers I found on Pinterest who are doing the same thing.

FIRST, I had to make an Advent calendar.  There is nothing religious about my design (although some may feel very religious about candy):

However, this far exceeds last year’s countdown to Christmas which was made from scrapbook paper, could barely hold a piece of chocolate, and started falling apart before Christmas even got here.  No, this year I upgraded.  This year I used toilet paper rolls.  Ta-da!

Only the best for my family.

I had a long list of RACK ideas from my friend, Pinterest and the Random Act of Kindness website, but the hardest part was organizing the list by day.  I took into account all of our schedules and spent a lot of time writing and re-writing my list.  I have shared my list below for anyone who wants ideas.

I’m really excited to see how my kids react to this and even more excited to see how much they will learn from this experience.  I don’t think kids are ever too young to learn the power of kindness, the satisfaction of giving and the pride that comes with making someone smile.

So get RACKing!

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Angela’s kids’ Advent calendar RACK list:

Thursday, Dec 1 – Write thank you notes to your teachers

Friday, Dec 2 – Bring neighbors’ trash cans from the curb to garage doors

Saturday, Dec 3 – Call grandparents and tell them that you love them

Sunday, Dec 4 – Bring Christmas tree tag gift card to church

Monday, Dec 5 – Donate needed items to the local homeless shelter

Tuesday, Dec 6 – Donate toys to Toys 4 Tots

Wednesday, Dec 7 – Go to library and pay overdue fees for 5 people and while there, put dollar bills in some of your favorite books

Thursday, Dec 8 – Count your blessings and write them down

Friday, Dec 9 – Tape microwave popcorn to Redbox machine

Saturday, Dec 10 – Pick up trash/litter anytime you see it today

Sunday, Dec 11 – Put a candy cane on 10 cars in the neighborhood

Monday, Dec 12 – Write a thank you note for the crossing guard at school

Tuesday, Dec 13 – Bring care packages to carline helpers

Wednesday, Dec 14 – Leave treats on 3 neighbors’ porches

Thursday, Dec 15 – Bring treats to CCD teacher and office staff

Friday, Dec 16 – Deliver towels/blankets to animal shelter

Saturday, Dec 17 – Donate coloring books, crayons and magazines to hospital waiting room

Sunday, Dec 18 – Bring $1 from piggy bank to church to put in the collection basket

Monday, Dec 19 – Help organize toys for the Salvation Army

Tuesday, Dec 20 – Help organize toys for the Salvation Army

Wednesday, Dec 21 – Deliver treats to local fire department

Thursday, Dec 22 – Leave treats in mailbox for mailman

Friday, Dec 23 – Leave treats out for trash collectors

Saturday, Dec 24 – Enjoy Christmas with people you love and sing happy birthday to Jesus

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UPDATE:  If you happened to notice, my countdown only goes up to the 21st because I didn’t have enough toilet paper rolls, which I announced to my family to SAVE THE ROLLS.  Yet  FIVE minutes after I wrote this article, I find this in the bathroom:

Seriously family??  I only said in huge, bold, bubble letters to NOT throw out any toilet paper rolls.  Sheesh.