With Thanksgiving around the corner, we at the RAK Experience have been thinking a lot about what we are grateful for and brainstorming fun and creative ways to express our gratitude. Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs) are kind of our thing and there are so many RAKs you can do to tell somebody “Thank You”.
Showing gratitude is a proven way to make you feel happier, increase your self-esteem, improve your relationships, and all kinds of other really great things! It also makes the person you are thanking feel special and appreciated as well. We could all use more of that.
Whether it’s a teacher, a sibling, or a server at your favorite restaurant, here are 15 ways to give thanks this holiday season:
Saying thank you and expressing your gratitude is an important practice for you and everyone around you. If you find yourself traveling around the world, we are going to send you off with how to say thank you in 10 different languages so you always know how to say “thanks!”.
Spanish – Gracias
French - Merci
Italian - Grazie
Japanese - Domo Arigato
Mandarin - Xièxiè nǐ
German - Danke schön
Thai - Khob khun ka (female) Khob khun krap (male)
Hawaiian - Mahalo
Hebrew - Toda
Hindi - Dhanyavaad
Have you ever tried to carry out a random act of kindness and been met with suspicion, skepticism, or just been downright rejected? This is actually very normal. Psychologists have done studies that showed that this is often the case. When people were met with a random act of kindness many of them believed there was a catch or even that there was mal-intent behind the act. As humans we are not always prepared for a stranger to do something kind for us and a lot of the time it puts us on guard.
This skepticism is a reflection of our society but it shouldn’t discourage you. The more kindness that is spread, the more accepting people will be of it. It will create a Domino Effect of random acts of kindness. Sometimes the best way to start out is with baby steps. Here are three easy and simple RAK’s that will very likely not be met with suspicion because we have to start somewhere!
We’ve all been there. Traffic is backed up as everyone tries to merge into one lane. People are frustrated. People are stressed. So often, a car is trying their best to merge but no one will let them in and so they are waiting for car after car for someone to let them over. Be that someone. Slow down and let them merge. It’s a free, small, and simple random act of kindness that can really alleviate stress for a stranger.
Shelters and food pantries are always in need of warm clothes and staple food items to help those in need. Go through your clothes and donate what you no longer need or use. You can do the same with your pantry and canned items or take a trip to the grocery store and pick up items from a local food pantry’s most needed list. This act of kindness will go a long way in making sure people who are struggling receive the basic care that they need.
Gather your friends and family for a day of picking up litter whether it be around your neighborhood, at the beach, a park, or anywhere else you can think of. This is a great way to spend time outside while also doing an awesome random act of kindness that affects the whole community and the planet.
We are all about Random Acts of Kindness so have made it even easier to spread RAKs! On our website, you can build a RAK box full of goodies to send to a stranger. Just select Anonymous RAK at checkout. We will pair your donation with someone from our RAK nominee list. You will receive an email once you have been paired to let you know your RAK is being sent out into the world!
Now that you’re feeling inspired go out there and fight the skepticism by RAKing The Planet
You may have never heard of it but National Gorgeous Grandma Day is definitely one that is worth celebrating. It was started by Alice Soloman who wanted to break stereotypes of what a grandma was. Society has a perception of what women over a certain age should and shouldn’t do. All grandmas are gorgeous whether they love knitting and baking cookies or wear leather pants and rock out to AC/DC. Grandmothers and grandmother figures do so much for their friends and family, now is a great time to give back to them with random acts of kindness.
Here are three ideas for all the different types of grandma’s in your life:
Brew up your Grandma’s favorite type of tea and make some cucumber sandwich or bake some delicious shortbread cookies for an afternoon tea party with her. It’s a great way to spend some quality time together and have fun! If Grandma is more of a cocktail type of gal, spend the afternoon learning a new mixed drink recipe (like this one called the Drunken Grandma) or better yet, making up your own! The more creative the better. And don’t forget to give them a fun name!
Dress to the nines and take your Grandma out on the town for a night at the theater or a concert. There are always plenty of options and there’s sure to be something you and your Grandma would both love whether it’s Rock of Ages or Shakespeare, Mozart or a local indie band. Make a night of it and grab dinners and drinks before or after the show. The memories will last for a lifetime.
We are all about random acts of kindness (or RAKs) and have made it easy for you to send a surprise RAK Pak to anyone in your life. We are sure Grandma would love to get one in the mail! We have all sorts of goodies for you to choose from for your Grandma’s RAK Pak like candles for the Grandma who likes to relax at home or a disco ball bluetooth speaker for the Grandma who loves to boogie the night away to her favorite jams. You can RAK her a little or RAK her a lot with our different RAK Pak size options.
You’re almost done! Now it’s time to disperse your clues to their designated hiding spots. Make sure they’re secure and somewhere the hunter can find them, but not too easily. Don’t forget to include your prize at the end!!
See? What a fun way to RAK your friends and family! A scavenger hunt is a fun act of kindness activity for all ages because you can make it as easy or as hard as you want. You can also make it as small or as large as you want. Tag us in your #RAKScavengerHuntDay pictures on Instagram. We can’t wait to see them!
Tag us on Instagram using the hashtag #RAKThePlanet to show us how you are celebrating your Grandma on National Gorgeous Grandma Day!
Here at the RAK Experience, we truly believe Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs) make the world go ‘round. Being kind has SO many positive effects on both the receiver and the giver. Positive effects include, but are not limited to, a sense of belonging and increased feelings of wellbeing. Did you know that there is even a designated Random Acts of Kindness Day every year on February 17th? We believe Random Acts of Kindness are best taken daily (or more!).
You can download the 30 Day Challenge Random Acts of Kindness Planner 👉👉 here >>
We want to help you make the world a kinder place and you can start today with our Random Acts of Kindness 30 Day Challenge. All you have to do is check off one of the following RAKs every day for the next 30 days. They don’t have to be in order!
1. Pay It Forward In The Drive-Thru
This is an easy way to make someone’s day! Whenever you’re picking up your morning coffee or lunch, tell the employee working the drive-thru that you’ll also pay for the person in the vehicle behind you.
2. Send a Card to a Friend/Relative
Send a card to a friend or relative you haven’t spoken to in a while to let them know you are thinking about them.
3. Tape Change To Parking Meter
Or, if you see someone’s meter is running out, give it a top up. Parking tickets can be so stressful, so a little kindness from a stranger can go a long way.
4. Donate Your Books
Go through your books and weed out the ones you’ve already read or no longer want and donate them to your local library.
5. Bake For Your Neighbors
Bake a treat like cookies or brownies, etc. and bring them to someone in your neighborhood.
6. Compliment Three Strangers
Make others feel good today and give a compliment to three different strangers.
7. Visit an Animal Shelter
Dogs and cats love Random Acts of Kindness too! Visit an animal shelter and help out if you can! Who doesn’t love puppy and kitten cuddles?
8. Leave an Extra Big Tip
Visit your favorite restaurant or cafe and leave an extra big tip for your server. It’s been a tough year for the service industry and they deserve some love!
9. Then Leave Them a Good Review
After you’re done with your meal leave a positive review for the restaurant on Google, Yelp, or Trip Advisor.
10. Donate to a Food Pantry
When you are doing your regular grocery shop add on a few extra non-perishable items or clear out your pantry at home. Drop off the food at a local food pantry to help those in need.
11. Leave An Encouraging Note In Public
This is a simple and easy RAK that you can do anytime. All you need is a marker and a sticky note. Leave a “You’re Beautiful!” note up on a public restroom mirror or “You Are Doing Great!” on a telephone pole.
12. Call A Relative Just To Say Hello
Take five minutes out of your day to give a grandparent or relative you haven’t seen in a while a call just so say hello and see how they are doing.
13. Plant A Tree or Flowers
RAK the planet by planting a tree or flowers. Not only is it good for the environment but they can be enjoyed by the community as a whole.
14. Thank an Essential Worker
Essential workers have been absolute heroes this past year and a half. Thank one in person or leave them a note!
15. Give Your Friend a List of Things You Love About Them
Remind your friend of all the reasons you love having them in your life. It will surely make their day!
16. Donate to a Cause
Whether it’s your time or a financial contribution, find a cause you care about and get involved!
17. Bring Treats To Work
Nothing brightens up a workday like some midday treats.
18. Leave A Gift for Your Mail Carrier
Imagine the smile on their faces when they open the mailbox and there’s something addressed to them! It can even be something super simple like snacks and a bottle of water or Gatorade!
19. Hold The Door Open For Someone
This is RAK as old as time, but people seem to be in a rush more and more these days. Take the time to stop and hold a door for somebody today.
20. Donate Toys to Charity
A child and family in need will be so happy to receive a new toy. Donate ones you have around the house or pick up something new at a local toy store.
21. Help a Neighbor Mow Their Lawn/Do Yard Work
Especially if you have an elderly neighbour. Mowing the lawn, raking leaves, or shovelling snow from their driveway will make all the difference.
22. Leave Flowers On a Strangers Car
Leave a single flower on parked cars so that when the owner returns they’ll receive an instant smile on their face.
23. Offer to Babysit for a Friend or Relative with a Child
We all know a parent who could use some extra time for themselves or a date night. Offer to babysit so that they can enjoy a day/night out!
24. Cook a Meal For Someone
We personally believe the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach and the best way to feed it is with a home-cooked meal.
25. Leave A Dollar On A Vending Machine
Leave a dollar or two on a vending machine and make a stranger's day with a free snack.
26. Donate Old Clothes to Charity
Clear up some room in your closet and donate the clothes to Goodwill or a homeless shelter for anyone who could really use them.
27. Give Blood
Giving blood can save a life. With blood shortages all over the country, donating your blood is a huge random act of kindness.
28. Write a Thank You Note
Write a thank-you note to anyone in your life that you think deserves it. It could be someone you know or a stranger, but make sure to give them plenty of thanks!
29. Set Up a Bird House
Here’s an easy way to RAK a bird! Set up a birdhouse on your lawn or hang a homemade feeder from a tree. Birds love RAKs too.
30. Send A RAK Pak
Send a RAK Pak to a friend or even anonymously to someone who deserves it! You can RAK a little or you can RAK a lot!
You can download the 30 Day Challenge Random Acts of Kindness Planner 👉👉 here >>
We’re so excited that you’re taking part in our 30 Day Random Acts of Kindness Challenge. Challenge your friends and family to do it with you and make sure to document it all on social media. Don’t forget to tag us!
Apriori Beauty submitted National Making Life Beautiful Day in April of 2015 to the National Day Calendar. This day recognizes men and women who are contributing to making the world a more beautiful place by spreading random acts of kindness. These RAK’s can be anything from donating time to a charitable organization, planting flowers in the neighborhood, or helping out a friend. We at the RAK Experience are obsessed with random acts of kindness and so are definitely big fans of this holiday!
We are celebrating Make Life Beautiful Day! Here are a few people who deserve recognition for the work they’ve done to make the world a more beautiful place. Read to the end to see a way you too can contribute to making the world a better, more beautiful place.
Caregivers at a living assistance facility read a study that showed a new hair-do can really boost someone’s mood and confidence. They also saw that Mother’s Day was particularly difficult for their residents, especially if they were widowed or lived far away from their children and grandchildren. They decided to give Mother’s Day Makeovers to bring smiles to the women they were taking care of. The residents were able to be queens for a day, getting their hair and make-up done, and even wearing a crown!
A young boy in the UK lost his father and decided to write a letter to him to tell him he missed him. He sent the letter through the mail,addressing it to heaven. He was very worried that the letter wouldn’t make it to his father and the postman caught word of that so wrote a letter back to the boy. The letter stated that, while it was a difficult journey “avoiding stars and other galactic objects”, the letter made it safely to his father in heaven.
Martin Agee, a professional musician, was a volunteer for the ASPCA . He began volunteer work after the loss of his own beloved dog, Melody. He was drawn to the storytelling program where he read stories to the dogs to help with calming and socializing them. He saw it had a positive effect on the pups but realized with his skills, he could take it one step further and began playing the violin too. His music helps calm down dogs who have been victims of abuse. Martin has played all over the world but says his favorite audience has been at the ASPCA.
You can make the world a more beautiful place too. Random Acts of Kindness is what RAK is all about and we’ve made it easy for you to send a Random Act of Kindness Pack or as we call them, RAK Paks, to a stranger. All you have to do is visit our website, pick your pack, and sign up to be an anonymous RAK-er.
Now go out and make the world a more wonderful place with Random Acts of Kindness. #RAKThePlanet
Did you know that May 24th was National Scavenger Hunt Day? There are so many random national holidays but we think they are so fun! Everyday is worth celebrating and we think that a scavenger hunt is a super fun way to spend an afternoon with friends and family. You can also turn it into an awesome random act of kindness. If you’ve never set up a scavenger hunt here are some simple steps!
Your scavenger hunt doesn’t have to lead to treasure or any kind of winnings. Sometimes the accomplishment of finishing the hunt is a prize in itself. But wouldn’t it be so much fun if it did lead to a prize!?!?! Over at the RAK Store we have so many nifty items that would make finding them at the end of the scavenger hunt a real treat! We think our RAK candy, a cool RAK t-shirt, or the RAK Disco Ball BlueTooth speaker would make stellar prizes. Or, you can go all out and get the entire RAK Pak!
Now’s the time to plan the route you want the scavenger hunt to go. Whether you are just doing it in the backyard, throughout the neighborhood, or through an entire city, panning is key. Think about where each clue will be hidden and where it will lead to next. Scout out each location and make sure it’s a good place to leave a clue!
Now that you know where you’ll be hiding your clues it’s time to write them. They can be basic instructions or you can have some fun and write some poetry.You can be mysterious and write a clue like: “Your first clue is this, it’s time to go. You’ll find clue two down below” It all
depends on your audience! Don’t forget to number the clues to help you and the scavenger hunters keep everything in order.
You’re almost done! Now it’s time to disperse your clues to their designated hiding spots. Make sure they’re secure and somewhere the hunter can find them, but not too easily. Don’t forget to include your prize at the end!!
See? What a fun way to RAK your friends and family! A scavenger hunt is a fun act of kindness activity for all ages because you can make it as easy or as hard as you want. You can also make it as small or as large as you want. Tag us in your #RAKScavengerHuntDay pictures on Instagram. We can’t wait to see them!
National Administrative Professionals Day always falls on the Wednesday of the last full week of April which means this year it is April 21st. The observance, which started in 1952, is an opportunity to appreciate the work of secretaries, receptionists, administrative assistants, and other administration support staff. Their organization and efficiency is what keeps an office running. A wonderful way to thank them is with a thoughtful gift.
As you might have guessed, we are all about random acts of kindness here at the RAK (Random Act of Kindness) Experience and we think Administrative Professionals Day is a great time to do a random act of kindness for the administrative professionals in your office with a RAK Pak.
A RAK Pak is basically a customizable gift box full of goodies. We have two box sizes: one that holds four items and one that holds six items plus every RAK Pak comes with a bonus surprise in the box. Once you’ve chosen your box size, there are all kinds of great little goodies to choose from to add to the box depending on the personality of the administrative professional in your office. Here are just a few of our options:
We have a little something for everyone so you’ll be able to build a box that will put a smile on the face of the administrative professional in your office. Check out our store and send your RAK Pak today!
Music has a great way of bringing people together and we bet the music lover in your life has brought you a great deal of happiness by performing for you or making you a killer playlist. Well, we here at the RAK Experience are obviously all about paying it forward and spreading random acts of kindness (#RAKThePlanet!). We created the RAK Experience for you to be able to do just that. We put together a line of products that you can choose from to make your own Random Act of Kindness kit to give to someone and we have some great ideas for what to put in your music lover’s RAK Box.
Any music lover would be obsessed with this gift. It is basically a dance party in a box! It will create so much happiness when they blast all of their favorite bops and dance in the light of the spinning disco ball. Who needs to go out to a club?
It’s time to Rak and Roll! If your music lover plays guitar, this is the perfect pick (see what we did there?)! They can rock out with a customized guitar pick that is made with high-quality celluloid (a traditional pick material). These picks grip well and provide the flexibility and durability needed for a balanced and crisp tone.
Everyone gets a little...or maybe a lot...stressed sometimes. Bring some stress relief to the music lover in your life with your random act of kindness and give them this super cool music note squeezie. It brings instant relief and it’s super cute!
Your music lover is going to be looking super fly in their new Rak N Roll t-shirt. It’s super soft and comfy but also spread a message of rock & roll and kindness, our two favorite things!
This choice might surprise you but we think it’s a practical and kind gesture. Think about it. Music lovers are always going around singing: when they’re working, when they’re in the car, when they’re running errands, and every other moment of the day. All that singing can really dry out their lips. This is a vanilla-flavored lip balm ball that features balm made with 100% all-natural beeswax, aloe, and vitamin E. The container changes colors just like a chameleon. Boring balms will be no match for this cool RAK lip moisturizer!
If this sounds like a fun idea, it’s time to start building your box. Our Random Acts of Kindness boxes can be customized to fit anyone in your life that you want to surprise with a RAK. It’s also possible to anonymously RAK a stranger! How cool is that?
We don’t know about you but we’ve been doing our best to expel the bad juju of 2020 and leave it in our dust. This means creating positive energy and prioritizing our mental health. Science shows us one thing that definitely works is random acts of kindness #RAKing. It’s true! Studies show that carrying out small acts of kindness creates a “helpers high” which is good for our brains. It all comes down to chemicals, specifically: dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.
Oxytocin, a.k.a “the love hormone” is important in creating social bonds and forming relationships. It helps to create trust as well. Carrying out random acts of kindness releases oxytocin into our brains which lowers stress, lowers your blood pressure, and connects you to the person/community you are helping.
Dopamine is a feel good transmitter that is also released into your brain during a random act of kindness. It’s what makes you feel good and euphoric and we know we could all use a little more of that in 2021.
Being kind can also lead to an increase in serotonin which stabilizes our moods, feelings of well-being, and happiness. It’s a complex and extremely important neurotransmitter.
Judith Orloff MD says kindness and generosity lead to a better life full of positive energy: “Generosity accelerates the free flow of everything positive in your life. Of course, when it comes to finances, a good job, smart investments, and saving wisely are important. But beyond these essentials, the secret is to be generous, whatever your net worth.”
Beyond all the benefits a random act of kindness has on us, spreading kindness benefits our communities and people we love! You never know how a simple gesture could turn around someone’s day. Get those good chemicals flowing and make someone smile today by sending them an anonymous RAK gift box!
Covid-19 has challenged our generation in ways we have never imagined. While some people still have to go to work, most of us are helping contain the virus by staying at home and practicing social distancing. Being in quarantine doesn’t mean we should stop spreading random acts of kindness though! If anything, it’s when we need it the most.
We thought of simple random acts of kindness you can do for your family, friends, and community during this time of quarantine:
1. Thank those who are still working that you know or encounter day to day
Whether it’s a doctor, a delivery staff, the cashier at the grocery, or the customer representative on the phone, smile and thank them! We need to let them know that we are thankful that they’re working in the frontlines so we can have a more comfortable quarantine life.
2. Catch up with friends and family
Everyone’s anxious during this time, so a simple call or text to make sure your family or friend is doing well can make a big difference. Your extroverted friends are probably suffering from all the isolation so make sure to check up on them!
3. Support your local restaurants buy buying a gift card for later use
Local restaurants and shops have taken the brunt of the recent shutdowns in local communities. Buying a gift card from them and encouraging friends to do so as well will go a long way.
It might seem small, but if more people do it, your favorite restaurant might just stay afloat and survive this pandemic. If you also opt for delivery or take-out, choose the local places and not the chain restaurants.
4. Rate your favorite local shops or restaurants on Yelp and other rating sites
This is a very simple random act of kindness you can do that won’t cost you a dime, but can help struggling local businesses in the long run.
Animal shelters need help in fostering pets as they were also affected by the closing of “non-essential” establishments. Fostering a pet doesn’t only help the pet, it has benefits for you, too, especially during this time of isolation and social distancing.
6. Secretly leave a treat or note offering help in your neighbor’s mailbox
It can be as simple as baked goods or a hand sanitizer, your neighbor will appreciate the surprise. You can also leave a note in your neighbor’s mailboxes offering help such as getting the groceries on behalf of an elderly neighbor or a time to chat if they need anyone to talk to.
Just don’t forget to make sure your hands are clean before you leave anything in their mailbox!
Which among these simple random acts of kindness will you do to RAK this Covid-19 quarantine away? And how are you staying sane while in quarantine? Let us know in the comments!
