If you are looking for the ABSOLUTE MOST AMAZING Holiday Gift, look no further. I am SO excited to share this idea! This is a gift that is suitable for ANY and EVERYone on your Holiday / Christmas List!
My BFF, Jill, nailed it this year! She is the most creative, generous, kind, caring, loving person ever, and I am so lucky to have her in my life.
So here is what arrived on our doorstep Friday afternoon…
a box filled with a variety of Pay it Forward Random Acts of Christmas Kindness activities – – complete with an “instruction booklet,” story about why Jill and Todd wanted to do this, and even every little gift card and item needed to fulfill each act of kindness!
Let me walk you through it page by page. It started out with an introduction…
and short story (which included us! 🙂 YAY! Our families have been BFFs since our first babies, and our kids have grown up together like one big batch of brothers and sisters. We LOVE it! And we love all of them.
“Happy Holidays, In the spirit of the holidays, Todd and I decided to try to engage you in a “Pay it Forward Challenge” this year. Years ago, our best friends, the McKinney’s, asked their elf Sammy to send us our own elf for the holidays. Sammy sent Jingle so we could share in the tradition. Jingle spent years making sure Jackie, Jayme, Julie and Jake were behaving. But now Jingle has a new plan…”
“We are hoping that you will join Jingle in the movement and take the opportunity to participate in a few of the Pay it Forward challenges. If possible, we would like you to document the activities with pictures, posts and hashtags. Send pictures to [Jill’s email], upload on Instagram or post to your Facebook page and tag me.”
“Every Act of Kindness Grows the Spirit and Strengthens the Soul”
For the first challenge, Jill included a $2 bill, chalk, glitter, and even an itty bitty dispenser of tape! Directions: Tape the $2 bill to the sidewalk, sprinkle some glitter, and add a note for the unsuspecting recipient.
Next was a bright yellow tennis ball with the word “Fetch” written on it. Directions: Locate a dog that appears to be missing the element of fun in their life. Throw them the fetch ball and capture the sheer joy.”
Next was a bottle of Coke with a tag saying, “You are So-Da Bomb!” Directions: Let someone in your life know they are “DA BOMB” and important part of your life. Cheers!”
Next was a box of M&M’s with a note on it for our mail carrier saying, “Thanks for driving Miles & Miles to bring us our mail.” Directions: Place this package in your mailbox to let your mail carrier know that you appreciate their dedication in the rain, snow, sleet and hail!”
This was followed by one that I was extremely touched by. Jill hand addressed an envelope to her “adopted soldier,” put a stamp on it, and included a blank note card. Directions: Take a few moments to write Christian Granada a personal note. He is the soldier I have adopted as my Home Front Hugs Hero. Christian is part of Operation Enduring Freedom and involved in some dangerous work clearing roads of bombs, so support is critical. Just mention me in your note. This is one I’d like to ask all of my readers to participate in with us if you could. Would you send a note or card to Christian Granada, Homefront Hugs Hero, 43d CEC / 3 CR, 00 Fenty, APO AE 09354? Just let him know you are sending it from Jill’s Pay it Forward Challenge.” We’d be so grateful!
The next one included a sparkly bottle of bright red nail polish. Directions: Find a friend or relative to pamper and pain your ‘mistle toes’ together.
Next came a bag of Mistletoe labeled, “Christmas Kiss.” Directions: Can you get anyone to partake in the traditional kiss under the mistletoe?”
And how sweet is this idea? A quarter tapes to a star saying, “Have a Great Day!” Directions: Tape a quarter to a bubblegum machine to brighten a child’s day!
This was followed by a bag of microwave popcorn with a note saying, “Movies shouldn’t be watched without popcorn. Enjoy this treat with your movie.” Directions: Find a Red Box in your neighborhood to place the popcorn on and see if anyone is brave enough to take it.
Another great activity included a $5 Little Caesar’s gift certificate. Directions: Think about providing a homeless person with a pizza or take a few moments to share a pizza with a friend.
The next one included a $5 McDonald’s gift card. Directions: Visit a McDonald’s drive thru and tape the Arch Card to the ordering speaker to provide a surprise to one of the next cars in line.
The last one contained a box of candy canes, streamers, and a sign that says, “You’ve been RACKed!” Directions: Pick a random location and let the candy cane bomb explode and bring minty happiness.
Now is this not the BEST gift idea ever?!!
I have Jill’s permission and blessing to share this idea with you.
She actually made and shipped 25 of these to her family and friends. Did I not tell you she is quite amazing?!!!
Our hope and desire is that you may want to try this or create one yourself. Let’s #PayItForward and spread some #RACK – Random Acts of Christmas Kindness! Please feel free to reblog, tweet, post on your Facebook page, and spread the love! 🙂
Cheers & Kind Hugs,
Jodi
P.S. Be watching for some future posts where I will be sharing some of our experiences with this Pay it Forward Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Challenge. I hope you will share yours also!
the creative life in between 