If there’s one thing I’m proud of, it’s thoughtfulness. I value making others feel seen and appreciated through small gestures and acts of kindness. Thankfully, it’s a trait many of my friends share. They continue to surprise me by showing up in my life and letting me know that I am loved.
This topic came up last night over dinner with my team, and we all agreed that small gestures often have the biggest impact. Things you can do on a whim throughout the day include buying coffee for the person right behind you or sending a thoughtful text to a friend. Seemingly small things can actually make a big difference in someone’s day if you look closely.
25 Acts of Kindness: Thoughtful Gestures for Everyone
With that spirit in mind, we’ve put together 25 small but meaningful acts of kindness that can inspire your own moments of connection and care. Each idea is designed to remind us that kindness doesn’t have to be grand or expensive, and that it’s often the smallest gestures that have the biggest impact. Whether it’s surprising a friend with flowers, offering to help a neighbor, or sharing a sincere compliment, these actions create a positive ripple effect that goes far beyond the initial effort. Let these ideas be your guide to spreading compassion in your daily life, one thoughtful action at a time.
a thoughtful surprise
1. Sending flowers for no reason. Don’t misunderstand. Giving and receiving flowers for a big event is a wonderful thing and celebrates important moments in life. But sending a bouquet of flowers is a welcome surprise for everyone who receives it. I send flowers to my friends every month to tell them I’m thinking of them and to send them my love. It’s about the element of surprise.
2. When your friend or partner is traveling, send a gift to their hotel room. Small gifts are unexpected but appreciated. Do you have an important presentation ahead of your business trip? Are they celebrating something special? It’s a nice way to tell them you’re thinking about them.
3. Celebrate with champagne. If your friends are having dinner to celebrate an important anniversary, call the restaurant ahead of time and ask for a few glasses of champagne. A few years ago we celebrated my parents’ 40th anniversary at a restaurant. When we were seated there was a bottle of champagne waiting for us from some dear friends who knew we had dinner reservations. It was really special when I received it.
4. Venmo is your coffee friend. This takes about 30 seconds and is a friendly way to let that person know you are thinking about them.
5. Send a handwritten card. We have limited art in our house, save for a few handwritten thank you cards from friends floating around on my shelves. It brings me so much joy. Not just because they are full of sweet words, but because it takes so much effort to write and mail a card.
6. Create a playlist for your loved ones. Back in the 90s, burning CDs was a surefire way to know if a guy liked you and vice versa. I still think it’s fun to do this at a dinner party, with someone you’re on a date with, or for a special occasion. My sister helped me DJ for my 40th birthday party and it was pure gold.
Providing time and support
7. Run errands for your friends. If someone in your life is having a busy week, offer to take one thing off their plate.
8. Take care of your friends. Give your parent friends a date night by offering to watch the kids. As much as I want to spend time with my friends, many of them are too busy to make dinner dates. Please take care of the children and let them spend the night together. As a bonus, you get to spend special time with your kids.
9. If you see someone struggling, offer help. A memory that was seared into my mind was from a recent trip to France. We were leaving the train station and walking up the main stairs when my friend Jen saw a woman struggling to carry her luggage. She immediately rushed to help. These small acts of kindness not only helped me fall more deeply in love with my friend, but also helped me find opportunities to lend a helping hand.
10. Ask how you can help. You may not know it now, but some people are asking, “How can I support you right now?” It can give you such relief. This is a simple question, but one that allows your loved one to share what they need. Especially if it’s not something you instinctively ask for.
11. Save someone’s trip. If you’re heading to the store, reach out to a nearby neighbor or friend to see if they have what you need. I usually do this when I’m heading to someone’s house and need to stop for a moment. It’s one of those small acts of kindness that saves me a lot of time and energy.
12. Offer to take someone’s photo. A few years ago, I went to a winery with a friend, and it was really beautiful to see the couple sitting next to me admiring each other against the beautiful backdrop. We asked them if we could take their picture and they loved it. Having someone capture the sweet moment made their day. Obviously read the room and don’t feel weird about it.
everyday caring activities
13. Pay in advance. Parking violations are the worst. Give me some change for someone’s expired parking meter. I throw a few bucks at the machine and hope the Karma gods take care of me if I find myself in a similar situation.
14. Pick up trash on the trails/outside. I was in LA last week and a man running in front of me made a sudden movement and turned to bend over and pick up trash on the beach. Seeing that made me do the same thing later.
15. Share something you think they might like. Texts such as the simple “Thoughts of you,” “Thoughts of you after seeing this,” “I was inspired by what you said,” and so on continue to this day. I support the idea that everyone wants to hear their thoughts and the impact they have had on their lives. It’s so simple and small, but it’s as meaningful as it was received.
16. Listen. Providing kind, compassionate listening costs nothing and makes everyone feel seen and heard.
17. Bring a little hostess gift. Whether you’re invited to someone’s home for dinner or you’re visiting them for the first time, a small gift is a thoughtful gesture. See our list of hostess gifts.
18. If you’re hosting, create a special recipe for your guests. Want to recreate a dish while on a date? Are you paying homage to an iconic or memorable dish you discussed? Where do your guests come from? Do they have a favorite nostalgic dish? Consider the following questions, or questions that might inspire you to bring something out of the story you two share.
Thoughtful gestures that strengthen connections
19. Please send a text message telling your friends/family, etc. about what you like. Instead of sending my loved one a generic “Happy Birthday” text or card, I started sending a text or card sharing five things I love about that person. Who doesn’t love hearing how people see and celebrate themselves in a positive way?
20. Give random compliments. Praise doesn’t have to be elaborate to make a difference. It just needs to be a sincere compliment. Whether you’re telling a stranger you like their clothes or praising a coworker’s hard work, a simple, sincere compliment can brighten someone’s day. Often, these little moments remind us that other people’s efforts or unique traits go unnoticed.
21. Volunteer your time for something meaningful to someone close to you. If your friends or family are passionate about a particular cause, taking the time to support it can mean the world to them. Whether it’s volunteering at your local animal shelter or participating in a community cleanup, you show that you care about things that matter to animals.
22. Reconnect with someone from your past. Sometimes life takes us away from the people we care about, but it’s never too late to reach out. A simple message: “I’ve been thinking about you. How are you?” It can rekindle your connection and show you that you value your history together.
23. Send an encouraging message when someone is going through a tough time. A thoughtful text or email can be a lifeline for someone feeling pressured or uncertain. Let them know you are there, cheer them on, or simply make space for them. Whether it’s a short “I did this” message or a longer message filled with specific affirmations, your words can give them strength and hope when they need it most.
24. Plan a spontaneous outing or day trip with friends. Meaningful surprises don’t have to be big. Call a friend and suggest that you explore a nearby park, try a new cafe, or go to the farmer’s market together.
25. Offer to help someone with something they’ve been putting off. We all have lingering tasks that feel too daunting to handle on our own. Giving your time and energy to help another person can be a huge relief to that person and can be incredibly fun for both of you. Whether it’s organizing, raking leaves, or dealing with your inbox, this action says “I’m here for you” in the most practical way.
