Pre pandemic, our Random Acts of Kindness have been a little different and to date we’ve given out small bunches of flowers to strangers in the street, bought chocolates for family/friends and one year my son made biscuits for his teachers to say thank you for everything they do. The children sometimes groan and get a little embarrassed when we’ve given out flowers but the beauty of getting a child to do it is that the recipient can’t say no and they don’t think we want something in return.

This year we can’t give hugs or travel far but we hope you will still get involved and enjoy reading some of our ideas below.

1. Get the children involved in making little treats like rocky road or biscuits and bag them up with ribbons for family/friends/neighbours nearby. We may not be allowed inside their home this year but they can be dropped off on the doorstep or posted through the letterbox (if they are not breakable).

2. Contact your local food bank and ask what they are low on. They may have received lots of canned goods recently but they have very little tea/coffee/biscuits ect and they will really appreciate you donating something which is needed.

3. Get the children to paint stones with kind messages and bright colourful pictures and then leave them on your walks for other people to find.

4. If you sadly have a homeless person in your Town you could put together a bag of snacks, drinks, toiletries and new underwear/socks. Even asking if they would like a hot coffee in this terrible weather will bring comfort.

5. Contact your local care home or home care provider and ask if they have a resident/client who would deserves a treat. This could be someone who has no family or even that they have family who live really far away and are unable to visit due to the current restrictions. If the person you speak to knows the older person well then they might suggest something like their favourite sweets, chocolates, smelly or magazine. You could even get the children to do a nice picture and drop it off so they can pass it on.

6. Offer to cook a meal or provide a food parcel to a local household who may be struggling. The Free My Meal Bournemouth and surrounding areas Facebook page looks to connect those who need a meal with those who are able to provide one.

7. The women’s refuge in Poole and Bournemouth are currently unable to accept general donations due to Covid regulations however they will welcome new toiletries. How about buying a small toiletry bag and filling it with items like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush, shower gel and sanitary wear. If you live near Poole or Bournemouth then you can drop a donation off which can be taken to the refuge. More details can be found in the Dorsetmums Womens Refuge Donations group on Facebook.

8. Buy a gift from a small local business. Many shops, salons, restaurants and independant crafters are suffering at the moment and most will happily post an item out to you or offer a voucher which you can use when they re-open.

9. Do you have a talent for knitting or painting ect? Maybe you could gift something special to a person who deserves it.

10. Make a donation to your favourite charity.

11. Make a meal or bake a cake for a friend who has just had a baby or maybe even for someone you know nearby that has lost their job because of the pandemic.

12. If you have a single person in your street or even someone elderly who has no family to look after them then give them a knock on the door and ask if there is anything they need. We are facing really tough times at the moment and lots of people don’t like to ask for help but if they are not feeling well then they might just thank you for the pint of milk or loaf of bread they desperately need.

13. Get the children to make a card for the postie or refuse collector to say thank you for working so hard.

14. Get some seeds, soil and a plant pot to make a gift for someone to enjoy when Spring comes.

15. Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while and ask how they are.

16. If you have an empty piggy bank at home then ask they children what charity you could support and then fill with your small change over the coming weeks and donate the money when it’s full.

17. Send a caring or motivational text to someone you know who needs a smile.

18. Post an IOU lunch date voucher or offer of babysitting to a friend for when things get back to normal.

19. Call or text someone you know who has lost a loved one recently and ask if they are ok or if there is anything you can do to help. The likeliness is that they may not need any help or be ready to talk about their bereavement but they will be comforted by the thought that you care.

20. Organise a fundraiser and do something silly which the children can get involved in. Could they not speak for an hour (I know mine can’t) or could they climb up and down the stairs 100 times? Ask friends and family to sponsor them and the children get to choose which cause it should go to.

21. Get the children to make a card or something crafty to send to post to a member of family who lives far away.

22. Pay it forward and buy a cup of tea/coffee at a takeaway which can be given to a person who is unable to buy one.

23. Make your partner or children their favourite meal or organise a tea party at home.

24. Go on a litter pick whilst out for your daily exercise.

25. Leave a £1 coin in your supermarket trolley and selotape a little note to the coin holder to say that the recipient must buy themselves a choccie or treat when they go in the store.

26. Buy a bunch of daffodils for a loved one or stranger. Obviously we can’t approach people in the street due to social distancing however you can knock on a door and leave it on the doorstep or if you have a local express store and you know the staff well then you can pay for a bunch and ask them nicely to give it to a shopper who needs cheering up.

So, what will you do for Random Acts of Kindness Day?  

CeCe & Me are a lovely Poole based mother and daughter team offering lots of different festive treats for the whole family. The idea came from CeCe’s 7 year old daughter and over the last few weeks they have been busy creating the most wonderful variety of Christmas products which can be collected in Parkstone or delivered to your door if you are local (small charge may apply). Alternatively the gift boxes can be sent by post if you live further away or would like to send one as a surprise to a friend/family.

The festive boxes you can order include a Little Elf Christmas Eve Box, Secret Santa Gift Bag, Child/Adult Filled Stockings, Sweet Cones, Comfort and Joy/Cheeky Elf Box, Winter Wonderland Box and the Family Christmas Box.

We recently received the Family Christmas Box which has remained hidden from the children until the last day of school so we can celebrate. Before I opened it I could see that they take pride in not using cheap tat as the festive box is very sturdy (it had to be with the amount inside) and there was a big gold bow on top. When I opened it up there was a letter from Father Christmas (this can be personalised for your child/children) and then under the gold tissue paper was gifts galore!

There were lots of presents for the kids which included a Night Before Christmas Book, Santa ‘Please Stop Here’ sign and magical key, festive stickers, milk bottle and treats like sweet cones, a chocolate medal (this is going to be a dancing prize when we have our party night) and a rich chocolate bomb which is filled with marshmallows. For the grown ups there’s a box of chocolates (Mummy’s not sharing), a tin of Christmas biscuits, adorable Totes socks for the both of us and a warm Apple & Cinnamon candle which smells absolutely amazing even when it’s not lit! On top of all of that I found party hats for all of us and funny photo props which I know the kids are going to have a good giggle with. I’m already planning our party and after the pretty rubbish year we’ve had I’m determined their last day of school in 2020 will be fun and memorable.

CeCe understands that every household is different and can customised your box to the correct number of children or make a bespoke box to suit your budget. Not only does she have lots of passion for these gifts but she’s happy to answer any queries and will make sure you get the perfect box for yourself or the children.

If you would like to have a look at the options available to buy then CeCe will be at Rob’s Filling Station in Poole on Saturday 19th December when the owners of the outdoor restaurant are supporting small businesses by offering a space for them to sell their products.

For prices and to keep up to date with possible New Years Eve Boxes and future seasonal treats, please visit the CeCe & Me Gifts Facebook page.

Dorsetmums was invited to review a Family Christmas Box for the purpose of a review however all words are my own.