A random act of kindness is an unexpected act of charity or helpfulness, and is often done for a stranger. It’s about spontaneity with a hint of altruism, to spread joy. Originally started in America, International Random Acts of Kindness Day takes place annually on 17th February.
This inspired our idea for The Random Acts of Kindness Market, a virtual event held on our sister website, Tresstle, where people can shop from independent British businesses and spread a little joy.
The idea is to cheer someone up in the depths of winter with a little gift and handwritten note – for no other reason than A Random Act of Kindness. Whether you want to surprise a friend, family member, colleague, neighbour – you’re sure to find something lovely that will make them smile!
This is our third year of running the event. We are very aware that money is tight for many people right now, amidst the cost of living crisis and post-Christmas pay checks, therefore most businesses will be selling amazing gifts for just £10-15. It’s a great way to shop small and support a brilliant small business, and put a smile on someone’s face too with a surprise gift and a handwritten note.
Random Acts of Kindness to get you started…
Random Acts of Kindness don’t have to cost a lot – or anything! There’s plenty you can do to spread a little joy, totally for free.
- Call a friend that you haven’t spoken to for a while – calling and hearing someone’s voice is always different to just sending a text
- Send a letter to someone, or a hand written note. Again, an actual written message is so much more meaningful that a WhatsApp message!
- Offer to pick up some groceries for an elderly neighbour. They can still pay for them, it just saves them going out.
- Offer to babysit. Whether it’s for friends or family, we could all do with a break sometimes, and it might just help them out!
- Walk your friend’s dog. Taking a dog for a walk for someone might give them the little break they need on a busy day.
The businesses pictured above and below are just a small sample of the kind of brilliant makers you can find at our Random Acts of Kindness market – a unique online event.
4 facts about the the term ‘Random Acts of Kindness’
- The term ‘random act of kindness’ is generally attributed to Anne Herbert, who wrote, “practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty” on a restaurant place mat in 1982, with her book of the same title following in 1993. It’s a motto to live by!
- Have you read any of Danny Wallace’s books? Join Me is a book in which he tells of the ‘cult’ he started by accident; the group’s purpose is to encourage members to perform random acts of kindness, particularly on Fridays, which are termed “Good Fridays”. Wallace has also published a book called Random Acts of Kindness: 365 Ways to Make the World a Nicer Place – worth a read!
- It’s been proven that one kind act sparks another. In 2021, The Newton Project was formed, which attempted to quantify the benefits of the Random Act of Kindness concept in order to motivate people to perform additional acts of kindness.
- In 2014, the Feed the Deed campaign began to inspire over 10,000 random acts of kindness around the world, and continues to this day.
The kindness movement is spreading, and is something that we see daily. Artists often draw ‘be kind’ graphics and it’s a phrase we see repeated on social media, alongside phrases such as ‘self love’, ‘self care’ and ‘spread joy’.
Pedddle have dedicated an entire day to focus on being kind and spreading a little light in these darker times, uniting market traders and stallholders from all over the UK. We’d love you to join us.