Bring on the RACKet to Boost Christmas Cheer

As a writer, I love a cleverly worded acronym, pun or slogan. A few years back, I discovered the abbreviation “RACK” which stands for Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. Since RACK has social media accounts, you know it’s official (well, sort of)! And I officially love it ─ both the acronym and the challenge to positively pay it forward, especially within our disability community during the holiday season.

RACK is as equally beneficial for the implementer as it is for the recipient. Scientific research suggests that kindness actually changes the brain, impacts the heart and immune system, and may be an antidote to depression. Teaching kindness in the home can instill important qualities within your child (and adults for that matter), like compassion and bravery, especially as we strive to promote inclusivity. And I’m sure that practicing RACK bids kindly to those focused on Santa’s “Naughty or Nice” list.

Implementing Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

Consider planning a schedule of specific kind acts. For example, one daily RACK using the advent calendar. Log onto RackTheWorld.weebly.com for RACK suggestions and to download a “You’ve been RACK’d” notecard to leave behind for receivers to encourage them to bring on the RACKet too.

To help you get started, AmeriDisability has compiled a list of RACK ideas for you. Hmm, perhaps we’ll count this creation as one of our own RACK accomplishments! Share your ideas with us on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

25 Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

1. Educate yourself about different types of disabilities. Then, help foster inclusivity by promoting awareness of various disabilities to others.
2. Pay for someone’s coffee or meal at a drive-through.
3. Deliver a hot chocolate to a Salvation Army bell ringer.
4. Give a lottery ticket to a stranger.
5. Donate new or used books (or other supplies) to a library, school or nonprofit.
6. Leave change in a vending machine or newspaper rack.
7. Give a blanket or toiletries to a homeless individual.
8. Bring Lifesaver candies to a fire/police station.
9. Rake your neighbor’s yard, shovel snow from their driveway or return their trash bins from the curb.
10. Donate your remaining vacation days to another employee in need (if permitted by your workplace’s human resources policy).
11. Offer a bottle of water or a healthy snack to household service workers (lawn maintenance, exterminator, pool tech, etc.).
12. Pick up litter in your neighborhood or community park.
13. Write thank you notes to a mentor, special education teacher or other important people (sports coach, faith counselor, therapist, etc.).
14. Take pet supplies to the animal shelter.
15. Do a household chore for another family member.
16. Donate canned/boxed goodies to a food pantry.
17. Offer candy canes to store clerks and restaurant waiters.
18. Post a compliment or kind message on a friend’s social media page.
19. Provide coloring books and crayons to a children’s hospital or pediatrician’s office, or large-print puzzle books to senior living facilities.
20. Say thanks or fist-bump the janitor, cafeteria worker or another person deserving of appreciation.
21. Stash extra dollar bills in the aisles at the Dollar Store.
22. Wrap presents for a busy loved one.
23. Let someone go ahead of you in line.
24. Say a prayer for someone in need.
25. Donate to a disability-serving charity.

Now go bring on the RACKet!

For similar content, read: 

• The Gift of No Gifts: Presence is the Best Present for You and the Earth
• Must-Try Christmas Cookie Companies Run By Bakers with Disabilities