The Kindness Elf

I have a love, hate relationship with a certain little elf that might wear all red.....he really stresses me out!

I feel like in the past I have threatened my kids with him like "Charlie is going back to Santa and telling him you've been naughty so BE GOOD!"

Please tell me I am not the only mother that does this?

I am in no way judging if you do do the other elf!  It's just in my own personal life our "Charlie" has become somewhat of a negative thing and it makes me sad :(

A wonderful friend of mine told me about The Kindness Elf.  A awesome alternative to "the other thing".

I have searched high and low to find the perfect little elf to be our kindness elf.  Here is what I have found.

Isn't he the cutest?!  And only $4.99 at Ikea :)

He will come on the thirteenth day before Christmas and leave this little note.

This is a poem I made up to read to the kids so that they can better understand the awesomeness behind this cute little guy!

And guess what.....you can copy and print one for yourself too!!!

Here are a TON of ideas for you to do in your 12 days.

1. Play a board game with your family
2. Write a letter to a far-away family member
3. Open door for those behind you all day long
4. Leave 3 kind notes for your sibling in places they'll find them
5. Take extra dog food or treats to a local animal shelter
6. Box up 5 toys in good condition for donation
7. Write a letter to a soldier
8. Choose a gift off the school/grocery/church giving tree and use your own saved money to purchase it
9. Write a letter to a friend you don't play with everyday and mail it
10. Bake cookies and a homemade card to take to a senior center
11. Watch a Christmas movie together as a family
12. At the school or town library, turn as many books as you can to spine side out on the shelves
13. Give a hug to someone who looks sad or upset today
14. Make your teacher a thank you card just for being great
15. Sit with someone new at lunch today
16. Make popcorn balls for your class/troop/club/church group
17. Donate 3 of your favorite books to the library
18. Write 5 holiday cards to deliver to a local nursing home or hospital
19. Send thank you cards to the police and fire stations
20. Give flowers to someone you don't know very well today
21. Sort and deliver bags of gently used clothes and shoes for donation today
22. Cash in all your pennies and donate them today (collection jars in stores/charities/animal shelters, etc)
23. Give the best-decorated house in your neighborhood a thank you card and treat
24. Smile and say hello to every single person you pass by today
25. Leave out birdseed and peanut butter sticks/balls for the birds and squirrels
26. Make a snowman together
27. Leave coupons on product at the store
28. Write a note of appreciation to your mailman
29. Draw a picture for your school principal
30. Send a small gift to your teacher

Helpful sources found here and a ton of ideas here!

What a wonderful way to incorporation the true meaning of Christmas don't ya think?!

Let me know if you do this is your family!  I would love more random acts of kindness ideas so please share!

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