31 Ways to BE a Gift This Month

Here are 31 Acts of Kindness to return you and your kids to the real meaning of the season this month. Start today with these simple and fantastic ideas!

You Cannot Be Replaced is already working within our community and some school kids to take the focus off big, expensive stuff and instead give back. Their message is to  'be a gift' to others by using words and actions. Share this with your kids, teachers, friends, family, and neighbors and you will all feel like you are giving back in many simple ways this holiday season:

1. Compliment Day

2. Smartee Day: Pass Smartees today and remind people how 'smart' they are.

3. Kind Bar Day: Give a Kind Bar with a note to someone who is especially kind.

4. Post or tag someone with a kind word or two. You can do this in a YCNBR (You Cannot Be Replaced) social media post #BeAGift.

5. Kiss Day: Hand out Hershey kisses today and ask someone if they need a kiss on the cheek.

6. Post It Day: Fill out a pad of Post It's with lines of encouragement and post them all over the place for your friends and family to see.

7. Snap Chat, Instagram, or Tweet your favorite Elf movie quote.

8. Send a Postcard to a relative you don't get to see often, especially one that isn't tech savvy, and tell them you were thinking of them.

9. Pass a YCNBR wristband to someone who needs a reminder that they are unique, wonderful, and very much loved and needed.

10. Dollar Store Day: Spend just a couple of bucks on small gift items, attach a card with a nice quote or kind note. Maybe drop one in an elderly neighbor's mailbox or at a senior living facility.

11. Post or Tag someone with a kind word.

12. Can of Soup Day: Hit a food drive with a can of soup, or collect several and drop at a food pantry.

13. Hold the Door Day: Be the one who holds the door or lets someone go ahead of you today.

14. Thankful Day: Say thank you whenever you get a chance, or write a thank-you note to someone.

15. Sock Day: Bring a pair of cozy socks to someone who is stressed or overworked.

16. Ninja Day: Make or buy a batch of cookies and leave them 'ding dong ditch' style at someone's house, desk, locker, dorm, room, car, etc.

17. Post or tag someone in a social media post and say something wonderful about them.

18. Air Head Day: Buy a couple of Air Heads and pass them out to someone having an 'off' day to remind them that we ALL have bad days.

19. Start a class, family, or dorm "Grateful Jar": Put the first slip of paper in, and continue daily until the jar is full. Then take them out and read them together.

20. Make Some Music Day: Post or tag someone in a 'change your day' kind of video on someone's Instagram or Twitter page.

21. Pass out another wristband (see #9 --and btw these also come in other styles and make great holiday stocking stuffers) and say something kind to the person you're giving it to.

22. Be the Light: Buy a candle (batter operated works too) or flashlight. Bring it to someone who has been 'a light' for you on a bad day.

23. Sandpaper Day; Say hello and smile at someone who makes life challenging. Be bold and say "How is your day?"

24. Candy Cane Day: Give out candy canes and attack a positive quote note to it.

25. Two Bucks Day: Leave $2 at the coffee shop for the person behind you, or on someone's desk, car, or locker for a hot chocolate or coffee.

26. Post or Tag Someone Day with a kind quote or message.

27. Life Save Day: Buy individually wrapped Life Savers and pass them out to people who have been there for you.

28. Call your parents or grandparents and tell them you love them.

29. Pass out another wristband and tell someone you are grateful to them.

30. Make Some Music: Post your favorite song from when you were younger and tag an old friend.

31. Wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank them for being a part of your 2014.

You Cannot Be Replaced (YCNBR) is a grass roots organization that began locally after the suicide cluster in Southern Monmouth County, where 7 of the deaths were students at Manasquan High School. YCNBR began by purchasing 500 wristbands that say "I can NOT be replaced" for the local kids. That effort, almost 3 years later, has grown to 31,000 wristbands circulating the USA, Canada, UK and Australia.

YCNBR now goes to high schools and middle schools to give much-loved assemblies and answer their own daughter's question: "Don't they realize they can't be replaced?!" The organization focuses on the message that people need one another. They promote healthy relationships, communication, friendships and decision making as proactive prevention for mental health and substance prevention.

This year YCNBR is establishing a college chapter and reaching out to the highest risk 18-24 year old age group. Their goal is to establish a location locally for students with life coaches, counselors, and a place to work on projects focused on personal growth and giving to others.