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MANILA, Philippines – Despite the bad news we hear day in and day out, we can still turn someone’s day around by doing simple yet unexpected things. Whether we’re working, studying or staying at home, we can find time to make someone’s day extraordinary — and it’s easy as 1, 2, 3 to 25.
Here are a few suggestions on how to brighten someone’s day and give them something to smile about:
1. Learn a new recipe and make it for your family or that special someone
Release your inner Martha Stewart and learn a new recipe that you can cook for your loved ones or for your significant other. They’ll appreciate the effort you put in learning the recipe and that you made it yourself — especially when they know that cooking isn’t your thing.
2. A little compliment wouldn’t hurt
If you notice someone wearing a nice dress or a new pair of shoes, tell them. This just might be what they need to boost their confidence.
3. Treat a friend to lunch or dinner
Call up an old friend or someone you have cancelled on before and make the effort to schedule another date to catch up. Make sure you don’t cancel on this one.
4. Offer to run an errand for your busy friend or family member
If you don’t have anything scheduled for the day, why not keep yourself busy by running the errands of your friend or relative? Be productive and help someone out.
5. Volunteer to help a friend organize his or her party
We all know that organizing a party can add up to a lot of stress, whether it’s a birthday, a house warming party or a baby shower. To cut down costs, some people opt not to hire a party planner. You may not have any experience in party planning, but an extra hand is always appreciated.
6. Surprise your kids by planning a trip this weekend
Nothing excites kids more than having a family vacation — even better is an unexpected one. Surprise them with a trip to the beach or a road trip up to Baguio and create more memories with your family.
7. Free dessert, anyone?
After having dinner with your family or friends, why not invite them to dessert and offer to pay for it? No one can resist free dessert!
8. Volunteer to plan a trip out of town or out of the country with your friends
Now this is something your friends will get excited about. The idea of having a 3-day leave from work and have some R&R is a perfect way to brighten up their day and make them look forward to something you planned.
9. Bring some food for your officemates
Choose a day where everyone is glued to their laptops and have no time to step out of the office to buy food. You can order some pizza or, if you have extra time, you can cook or bake for them and bring the finish product to your office.
10. Call your family just to say hello
For those who live away from their family, keeping in touch is now made easier thanks to technology. Don’t put your parents on hold or pretend you’re in a meeting. A simple “hi” and update on your life won’t hurt.
11. Someone’s birthday? Give him or her a handwritten card
Whatever happened to handwritten cards and letters? Anyone who has received snail mail will appreciate anything handwritten. Nothing is more thoughtful than sending something you made yourself.
12. Donate your old clothes, books and other things you barely use
A pair of pants from high school will no longer have any use for you, unless you managed to stay in the same size. Find a charity you can donate to or give them to someone you know still has use for them.
13. Go grocery shopping
One constant chore in every household is grocery shopping. Buying for the week or even for the month can get pretty tiring. Volunteer to do the groceries yourself if you have free time, maybe even pay for some of the items if you have the budget for it.
14. Say “please” and “thank you” to people who assist you
A “please” and “thank you” will make anyone smile and feel appreciated. Someone reaching for what you asked for from across the table, the waiter refilling your glass of water and handing you your bill will remember that polite person who never forgot to say the two magic words.
15. Offer your friend a ride to the nearest terminal
Not everyone has the luxury of driving to and from work or a night out. Some even prefer to use public transportation to avoid the traffic, finding parking space and the high cost of gas. If you’re driving home and the terminal is not out of the way, make a little detour and offer him or her a ride to the terminal.
16. Give away a cup of joe to start off the day
Coffee drinkers out there will surely love to get a free cup of joe on their way to work or during their breaks. Even having coffee ready for them when they wake up is just as good!
17. Share leftovers
Let’s say you had a party in the office or in your home and you have some leftovers. You wouldn’t want your food go to waste. Time to take out the microwaveables not just for your guests, but also for the guard and maintenance person of your building or your village.
18. Prepare your kids’ breakfast and “baon” for the day
Your kids will definitely appreciate that you woke up a little bit earlier to prepare their breakfast and food for school. As a final touch, you can leave them a note reminding them how much you love them.
19. A cheat day is not as bad as it sounds
Why not invite a bunch of friends who don’t mind pigging out with you and enjoy a full meal without counting calories?
20. Stay a bit after work to help out a co-worker
It’s a Friday night and a co-worker of yours is drowning in paper work. While you’re about to head home or out for the night, consider offering a little assistance. It may take some of your time but you will definitely feel good making someone’s night a little bit better.
21. Take your helper out for a meal
Everyday, your household helper prepares you a good, home-cooked meal. Why not return the favor and make it even extra special by taking them out to eat? They will appreciate having someone else cook for them for a change.
22. Try this: While you’re in a drive thru, offer to pay for the person’s order behind you
You never know that you may just make an entire family happy. Ask the cashier at the window if you can pay for their bill and make the family’s meal extra special.
23. Give an extra tip
Sometimes, we forget that people put in effort to make our day a bit more comfortable. Show your appreciation by leaving a tip, more than the usual loose change we leave behind.
24. Help your kids or younger siblings with their homework
If you experienced this with your parents or older siblings, then you know that this can also be a time to bond. Just remember to be patient.
25. Doggie treats
Pet owners know how good it feels when we see our pet happy. We can also brighten up another pet owner’s day by offering to walk their dog with our own dog or set up a play date with other dogs and give them treats.
Have you chosen to do one or to do all? Whatever your choice, remember that doing something unconditional for someone else is actually doing yourself a bigger favor. The happiness and peace that come as rewards can not be matched by anything material. – Rappler.com
Happy family photo from Shutterstock. All graphics by Rappler. All photos courtesy of Ayala Malls
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