Do you have ideas for simple gives?

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

I've begun to compile a list of simple giving ideas below, and would love your help expanding it. This string can become a good reference for all of us on those days when we hit a "giving wall" and are having problems thinking of something to give. My suggestion for days when you feel a bit uninspired is to KEEP IT SIMPLE. Every give doesn't need to feel monumental. You might even notice that the simple gives feel more powerful than the grand gestures.

Here are a few ideas for simple gives.
PLEASE REPLY TO THIS STRING AND ADD YOUR OWN IDEAS.
*Make a phone call to a friend and tell him or her you care.
*Write a nice note to someone and mail it.
*Buy a chocolate bar and share half with someone else.
*Exchange a smile or two with strangers.
*Open a door for someone.
*Pay for the coffee, meal or bridge toll of the person in line behind you.
*Put a little change in someone's parking meter.
*Give your left over dinner to someone living on the street as you leave the cafe.
*Send out some positive thoughts and prayers to others.
*Buy an extra sandwich at lunch and give it to someone on the street who is hungry.
*Decorate a Kindness Rock and give it away. Learn more about this idea here.
*Frame a meaningful photo and give it to a friend or family member.
*Make a greeting card and give it to someone you love.
*Email a friend a list of 29 things you love about him or her.
*Give a few sincere compliments to people throughout the day.
*Donate to a cause you care about online.
*Invite a couple friends to come over to your place for a Improv Potluck. Each person brings something they've got in their fridge, freezer or cupboards. No trips to the store allowed!
*Post some items on freecycle.org and pass the things you're not using anymore on to someone who will.
*Take your dog (or your neighbor's dog) for a nice walk.
*Give your cat some extra pets.
*Invite your neighbor over for tea or coffee.
*Do the dishes for your family (or some other small chore around the house).
*Read a story to your child.

Remember that the 29-Day Giving Challenge is intended to be a sacred ritual. It is your opportunity to cultivate a mindful practice of stepping outside your own story for a few seconds each day.

So what happens if you get through the day and realize you haven't given mindfully all day long? Be gentle with yourself and remember that this ritual is about progress, not perfection. Just do what my friend Eve did on a day like this. Sit down with your journal or at your blog and reflect on your day. Review the entire day mindfully and find the times you unconsciously gave so you can bring it into your consciousness. The truth is there is never a day that you don't give. There are only days that you don't acknowledge and remember you did.

If you have ideas for simple gives that you'd like to share with us, please don't be shy. Reply to this string and pass on some inspiration to your 29Giver friends.

[Carrie]

Great ideas Cami - I'm definitely keeping it simple for Day 4. I gave some TLC to the two men in my life, my boyfriend Jim and my dog Nico. Both love their own version of a back rub - and it's the least I can do for all they give me every day!

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

Thanks for commenting Carrie. Today is going to have to be a Simple Give day for me. I'm really wiped out. I've been spending way too much time at the computer the past week since launching the challenge site. I'm having so much fun with it, but my body isn't cut out for typing more than one hour a day or I pay with pain and other Multiple Sclerosis symptoms flaring up. Hope you have a good day today!

[Carrie]

Cami - this challenge is amazing, I'm having a blast. Giving yourself a break from non-stop computer work to rest up would count right?? I sound like Cara... she was always reminding not to forget to add myself when I was rounding up people to forGIVE - glad it's rubbing off finally! :)

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

If any of you have other ideas for simple gives, feel free to add them on this string.

[Connie]

Thanks for these great suggestions! I love the one about paying for the coffee of the person behind or for the toll for the car behind. I've been doing lots of little things, but want to mix it up - these are great! How many times can you let the car at a 4-way stop go first afterall (well, three times today - LOL!!). Thanks for "giving" me these, Connie

[lynn]

Since the holidays are upon us, I've picked up a few boxes of candy canes and I stuck a bunch in my purse, and I randomly give them out to people (today it was mostly overworked sales clerks) I come across. It's so fun to brighten people's day unexpectedly!

[sharon]

Wow that was great!
May I borrow that suggestion!
-s

[Kim Latour]

Lynn what a beautiful idea. I think I will do that for sure!
Thank you for sharing!

[Kim Latour]

Thank you Cami for keeping us on track. I love the suggestion about emailing someone 29 things you love about them. I think I will do that for a few friends!

[lynn]

I've been meaning to share these ideas for a while, and finally have a minute, so thought I'd add them. Sorry, this is going to be kinda long, but I think the ideas are fun and hope you'll like them too!

How about making some simple greetings, I've decorated some shipping tags with holiday greetings and randomly given them out! I hung one on a Christmas tree at a rubber stamping store also! They can be used as bookmarks or holiday gift tags also!

Another thing I've done and want to do more of is make a little greeting card, or you could use any kind of blank greeting card, and write a little note inside for the recipient to "take a break and have a cup of tea on me". Then, I include a tea bag in one of my favorite flavors. I've given them to store clerks who have been very helpful, and friends who I know are busy and need a few minutes to relax and de-stress! Sometimes, when I've had more time, I've made cards in the shape of a tea cup or coffee cup and put the tea bag inside. I've also sent a couple to special friends and said something to the order of, "On Christmas Eve at half past two, make a cup of tea and think of me, and know that at that time I'll be doing the same and thinking of you" I've also done the same thing and substitued "on your birthday" or just general suggestion to take a break and make a cup of tea and know that I'm doing the same thing and thinking of them!

[sharon]

Great ideas Lynn!

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

thanks for taking time to share these ideas1