Top tips for 12 Days of Christmas Kindness

As we come to the end of what has been a challenging year for many families across Scotland and around the world, showing compassion and kindness is needed now, more than ever before.

Here at Cyrenians’ Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution (SCCR) we are pledging 12 Days of Christmas Kindness by offering a dozen tips on how to be kind this festive season and beyond. 

1: Be kind to yourself.

For you to be kind and able to bestow compassion onto others, it’s important that you feel positive and are looking after your own wellbeing. Take a slow deep breath, connect with your emotions and listen to your feelings.

2: Spread festive cheer with a compliment.

A few kind words can really make someone’s day a whole lot better. By giving someone a thoughtful compliment, you can make them feel special. You never know what someone is going through and that compliment could be the only kindness they are shown that day. 

3: Collaborate for a happy Christmas.

As fun as the festive season may be, it can also be a stressful time for families and fraught with little squabbles. Arguments can often arise over what to do and when so try planning in advance so everyone feels included.

Collaboration is key to a peaceful, conflict-free Christmas! 

4: Offer a helping hand.

How can you help out this Christmas? Perhaps you could set the table, chop some vegetables or nominate yourself for washing up duty!

By offering to help and sharing the tasks, everyone will get a chance to enjoy Christmas. 

5: Support a charity or your local community.

If you can, show kindness this Christmas by giving to charity or supporting your local community. Giving really is the true meaning of Christmas.

Find out more about Cyrenian’s winter appeal here: https://cyrenians.scot/donate. With the gift of a donation, you’re helping Cyrenians tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness and helping people in need of support to feel valued.

6: Always show gratitude.

Be grateful of any gifts you receive – even if it’s the umpteenth pair of socks! Ok, maybe they’re not what you wanted but see it as a token of kindness and remember it really is the thought that counts, that’s the true meaning of Christmas.

7: Stay safe and connected.

For many families, Christmas this year may be a little different. However, we can still be emotionally connected by reaching out digitally with messages or calls to let them know you are thinking of them.

8: Choose your words wisely.

By pausing to think before you speak, you be able to choose words with a positive intention and show kindness with what you say. Being wise with your words brings people closer.

9: Take a genuine interest in others.

An act of kindness is asking someone how they are doing and really listening. When people feel like they are being listened to, they feel valued and cared about.

10: Give a meaningful gift.

Show kindness with a heartfelt gift, such as a note of all the things that make them special. It’s not about what you spend, it’s the thought. The other person will truly appreciate that you are thinking of them if you make it personal. Remember, a memory can last a lifetime.

11: Be present in the moment.

The greatest gift of kindness you can give another person is to be in the moment in their presence, listening with care, sharing laughs and making memories together.

12: Smile! Say “cheese” it’s Christmas.

Christmas is a time to be jolly so why not spread festive joy with a smile! A simple smile can be really powerful, it can improve both your own and others wellbeing.

And finally, the SCCR team would like to wish you and your family a very happy and safe Christmas.