image – awwww.org

1. If you know someone who’s just separated from her/his partner, send them some flowers or chocolate on their anniversary or on Valentine’s day, when they need the pick-me-up, and the severity of being alone is hitting them hard

2. If you admire something someone has done, or the way in which they’ve done it, tell them. If they do something worth copying, let them know. This will bring a spring in their step and go a long way to building their confidence in themselves.

3. In the morning when you’re rushing to work and your children are running off to school, spare one moment during the hustle and bustle to stop, smile, and pay them a compliment. This will tide them over a very stressful school day, and will remind them that you love them, no matter what happens there. No matter how young or old your children are, they will appreciate this, even if they never tell you how much.

image – united nations, escap

4. Send your spouse a card to their work address now and then, reminding them how much they mean to you. The work place is where they’re taken up with all sorts of things, far removed from you and the rest of the family. Getting a card from you in the post early in the morning, will put an extra bright smile on her/his face all day long.

5. If your waitress or a hairdresser looks like she’s having a hard day, leave her an extra big tip. Not only will it surprise and cheer her up, but it will also mean that her next customer, who comes in after you, would receive a pleasant greeting from her. You’ll be doing your bit for sharing the happiness around.

6. When someone you know is feeling low because of recent disappointments, take time off to talk with them about their past successes. Remembering a time when their lives and efforts were progressive and prosperous, helps them to re-build the confidence they’ve lost in themselves.

7. If you know that someone at your work place – who’s of a different faith – has to work on his/her religious holiday, offer to exchange a workday with them if you can, so that they could spend their holiday at home with their family. This will re-establish their faith in the harmonious world we’re trying to build for our children.

8. Now and then, do something childish with a child who’s close to you. It will delight them.

image – benetton talk

9. If you know someone who’s going away on holiday or on a gap year, buy a journal and give it to them as a present. This would be a perfect gift to help them cherish their good memories.

10. If you know a child who’s just had a baby brother or sister, take him/her out on their own, to somewhere fun, of their choosing. On the way back, buy them a present and make sure it’s something which cannot be shared with the baby.

For other ideas and tips about how to make someone else’s day, see this extremely popular article, here.