Ideas

Here are some ideas to get you started.  You can use as many or as few as you like.  You can repeat ideas and think of new ones.  And of course, you can pray for God to give you ideas too!

1.          Bake something you know they like and deliver them a plate of delicious treats.

2.        Send them a message of appreciation – you could use a text message, tweet, facebook or something a little more special – write a message in chalk outside their house, write them a note and leave it where you know they would find it, draw them a picture, write a note on the back of a photograph that reminds you of a happy memory...

3.        Give them flowers!  Everyone loves flowers, especially in the springtime!

4.        Invite them to your house to spend some time together – make it as special as you would like to – you could share a meal, a cup of tea, or a playdate.

5.        Take time to call someone who you don’t see so often and spend time speaking to them and making sure you listen to everything they have to say.

6.       Offer to do a chore that you know would help them out – unload the dishwasher, wash the car, watch their children, help in the garden, tidy up.

7.        Send them a Bible verse to brighten up their day – whether they know Jesus or not.

8.       Buy a giftcard (any amount) for something that they enjoy and give it to them – just because!

9.       Visit them and spend time doing what they want to do – even if it doesn’t interest you – just to make them happy.

10.      Make them award to help them recognise something they are really good at – “Great Neighbour!”, “Brilliant Friend!”, “Amazing Dad!”, “Best Storyteller!”, “Kindest Person I know!”

11.         Make sure you aren’t texting or on an electronic device while they are trying to spend time with you.

12.       Write a list of things that make them special to you and send it to them.

13.       Think of things that you can do unseen for people you will never meet that will brighten their day – stick coins to a snack machine or parking meter, hide wrapped treats somewhere that people will find them, pay for the coffee of the person standing behind you in the line.

14.       Include somebody in your family or friendship activities who might be feeling lonely.

15.       Consider ways that you can thank people who serve us – doctors, bus drivers, librarians, shop assistants, nurses, teachers, firefighters, dustmen, postmen, cleaners – if you know any think about how you might include them in your list.

16.      Could you bring somebody their favourite food as an unexpected treat – stop at a coffee shop for a work colleague, bring a friend their favourite fruit in your lunchbox and give it to them,

17.       Pray for them!  Pray for anything specific that you know they are dealing with, but also pray for them to know Jesus and to understand what He did for them because He loves them so much.

18.      Give them a hug and tell them you love them.

19.      Listen out during the day and see if they ask for help or ask for a hand or a volunteer – and help them straight away.

20.    Buy them an Easter egg and when you give it to them explain why Easter is special to you – giving them a gift they expect at this time of year, and also the greatest gift you could give them.