'Giving unexpected compliments': 30+ Random Acts of Kindness for Nice Guys Looking to Brighten a Stranger's New Year

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jan 6, 2025 9:00 AM EST

Kindness is underrated. Although it seems easier to plant a scowl on your face, set your alarm for 5:30 AM, and trudge off to work every morning, a shred of positivity can go a long way. We're all dragging our feet and struggling to get our lives together after the holidays, but you never know how much a stranger may be floundering. Someone might be in a financial bind, wondering how they're going to buy groceries this week or a passerby on the subway could be grappling with some moral dilemma in the workplace. 

We never truly know what's going on in the people's lives around us and despite all of its complexities, the human mind is fairly simple to conquer, turning sour moods into uplifting positivity with the flick of the wrist.

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  • However, without prying or forcing ourselves in, we can make a huge difference in a stranger's life with a simple ray of positivity. One time I was waiting at the bus stop–naturally, it was pouring rain and I'd left my umbrella at home–and although I was cursing the day and grimacing at the pond water gathering in my boots, an older woman shuffled up to me and wordlessly held the umbrella over both our heads. Without a word, this woman's simple kindness turned around my entire mood. I can't say she changed my life or anything (and I still went home with a swamp in my shoes), but for a moment I realized that the world is not so bad and some humans are actually pretty cool. 

  • Cheezburger Image 10450171136
    via Zanuck

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • So take some notes from the list below on some random acts of kindness that'll help nice guys finish first this time–because perhaps some lady at the bus stop just needed a tiny win today.

  • In 2025, I am aiming for one Random Act of Kindness a week. Ideas hugely welcome Story As per title. I am UK based and want to do something nice every week for someone in my town. I'd love some ideas if possible, happy to include small amounts of money occasionally
    via NYCLOZ
  • the username name Giving unexpected compliments is free and brightens someone's day.
    via the_username_name
  • Impossibleish I give compliments all the time. I work retail and there is a lot of opportunity to just appreciate someone's hair or style or glasses or whatever. It really does brighten my day and keep my mood positive while dealing with everything else
    via Impossibleish
  • Bluestar Gardens Visit a senior center and find someone who doesn't get visitors. Stay for a little while chatting. Or drop off flowers
    via Bluestar_Gardens
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    via Rido

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Cats books soups I go on long walks with my friend and her dog. I've started picking up trash while walking. Last walk I got 2.5 grocery bags of trash (and I found two of the empty grocery bags I used along the trail).
    via Cats_books_soups
  • JL Adv We had an awful year last year. Things people did on their own to help is that were soooooo appreciated: • shoveled our sidewalk . planted flowers in our porch planter
    via JL_Adv
  • • raked our yard • . dropped off dinner brought us fresh-baked bread brought us eggs from a backyard flock • offered to run errands/grocery shop
    via JL_Adv
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    via patrickheagney

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Things I have done for people in the past (other than the list above): ⚫ walked dogs • baked cookies • dropped off food at the food pantry
    via JL_Adv
  • • donated time at the • local school paid for coffee for the person behind me Other things I can think of: • knit/crochet scarves and . drop them off at a senior center play music for others to hear
    via JL_Adv
  • . ⚫ paint kindness rocks and leave them around town • work with your nature center to plant/replant trees and native plants
    via JL_Adv
  • Childless Catlady42 Buy children's books at thrift stores and leave a few whenever you are somewhere that children wait. Bus stops, laundromats, food stamp offices, etc.
    via Childless_Catlady42
  • the-cats-purr I joined an app called Be My Eyes. Blind people call and you describe what they want to see. It's so exciting to get your first call. But you have to answer fast. There's about four volunteers for each
    via the-cats-purr
  • seeing impaired person that is signed up. I helped a guy look for a leak under his kitchen sink and I helped a lady choose which sweater that matched her pants. And I helped someone determine a can of food.
    via the-cats-purr
  • ivegotcheesyblasters Things my family does: • Mom likes to "sell" things on FB marketplace. She puts the item up and meets with the most excited/friendly person. If she likes their vibe, she gives it away for free!
    via ivegotcheesyblasters
  • Giving heat packs, menstrual products, or bottled water to unhoused people Donating unused pens, paper, pencils, art supplies, etc. to local public schools (please test them first!)
    via ivegotcheesyblasters
  • • Researching the best impact for things you donate. Instead of a conglomerate like Goodwill or the religious organization Salvation Army, I've found charities that collect furniture for immigrants or folks leaving ab ive relationships. The library sells my old books. Tchotchkes and small
    via ivegotcheesyblasters
  • items go to an annual yard sale held by an animal shelter. Clothing to whatever LOCAL org is collecting. This de-cluttering makes me feel so good!
    via ivegotcheesyblasters
  • mountainsunset123 Once upon a time, when I had money, I used to anonymously pay bills for folks I knew who were struggling. I would pay their light bill or their gas bill, or drop some cash somewhere in their home where they would unexpectedly find it. I volunteered at the food bank, I had a little farm and I would donate fruit from my orchard every year.
    via mountainsunset123
  • Historical Wonder680 Leave free umbrellas by bus stops. If you're crafty, make extra Valentine's Day boxes for local schools. Not every child has the resources to make Pinterest-y boxes & that sometimes leads to hurt feelings. Our school
    via Historical_Wonder680
  • collected extras from the crafty parents so all students could have one. Leave snacks and water bottles out for delivery drivers. Sponsor an animal's adoption at your local shelter. They'll advertise them with "no adoption fee!" and it helps attract prospective families.
    via Historical_Wonder680

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wholesome random act of kindness kindness strangers kindness of strangers nice guys compliments positive nice empowering positivity
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