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You are here: Home / Giveaways / 10 ways to give a little back to others this autumn

10 ways to give a little back to others this autumn

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Published on October 24, 2016 by Helen Best-Shaw 107 Comments
Last Updated on January 24, 2018

10 ways to spread soe happiness this fall (using that extra house when the clocks go back)The clocks change on Sunday, 30th October this year, falling back one hour. I always prefer changing the clocks this way, as while we could just laze in bed and wait for the clock to catch up with our state of wakefulness, there’s something that feels really positive about using the opportunity of getting up an hour earlier than normal – but not feeling zonked by a lack of sleep – and getting on with the day.

This Sunday, we could use the hour for ourselves, but it’s also a great opportunity to spread a little thoughtfulness, and the people at Elizabeth Shaw Chocolate want everyone to think about thoughtfulness and consideration, and to use their extra hour for good. We like those tales of out-of-the-blue kindness; the urban myth stories about celebrities paying for a couple’s wedding, because they particularly wanted the venue, down to things that actually happened to use, like a helping hand changing a wheel when we found that the car had a puncture.

And this Sunday is the perfect opportunity to spread some of that happiness around. It doesn’t have to be huge: holding the door open for somebody who has their hands full, or letting someone in an obvious hurry go ahead in a queue. We’ve listed ten ideas below, but tell us about those thoughtful gestures that have resonated with you. Leave a comment below, and enter our giveaway to win a box of Elizabeth Shaw chocolates.

Everything You Need To Know

  • Ten easy ways to spread some happiness with a thoughtful or considerate gesture
  • Win a £50 chocolate hamper from Elizabeth Shaw
    • How To Enter
  • Good Luck!

Ten easy ways to spread some happiness with a thoughtful or considerate gesture

Send a card or letter. Text, email, and messaging are all quick and convenient, but there is something special about an envelope dropping through the letterbox. Particularly if someone is going through a difficult time, letting them know with a letter that you’re around if needed is a very welcome message to receive.

Make someone's day by sending a letter

Tackle a job that you’ve been putting off for ages, particularly if you share your home with someone. There are those jobs that we all hate and just don’t seem to get done; the ones that just seem to take ages, with a huge hassle factor, for what seems to be limited results. Something like the ironing pile, for example. Biting the bullet and just getting it done is a small win, but multiple small wins do add up.

Ironing

Random acts of helpfulness: I like not living up to the stereotype of the uncaring Londoner, by offering help if someone is looking a little lost with a map (or map app on their phone) in hand, trying to orient themselves. This only works if you know the local area, though! Or, how about if someone is struggling to find the change needed to pay for a small item – a cup of coffee, for example – help them out. A request to pay the favour forwards is all I ask for as a thank you (all delivered in a terribly British bumble with profuse apologies. I can’t help it – it’s genetic).

Little unexpected gifts always raise a smile. Be it a bunch of flowers, a gift card or a small present, the unexpected brings joy that outweighs the size.

Make someone's day by giving them flowers

Compliment someone on something they’ve obviously taken trouble over; their nails, their accessories, or their hair, for example.

Celebrate and share your strengths. Whatever it is that you’re really good at, use it to help other. Be it cooking (maybe help at a local voluntary kitchen), computing, or just being handy with the toolbox.

Tool box

Be a helpful ear. In this era where community is much diminished, many people find that someone who listens, without judgement, is a rare friend. Life’s difficulties resolve themselves so much easier when they’re not confronted alone, but asking for help isn’t easy.

minions-363019_640

Give the gift of time: most of us are permanently searching for an extra five minutes. By taking over a job that someone simply doesn’t have the time for today – walking a friend or neighbour’s dog, for example – the benefits and gratitude really outweigh the time you spend. Plus, you get to go for a nice walk!

Take a dog for a walk

Acknowledge your loved ones: tell those who are special to you about what they mean. It’s all too easy to leave these things unspoken, but all relationships benefit from some attention.

Acknowledge your loved ones

Life might not be like a box of chocolates, but they’re always welcome. Give a box of Elizabeth Shaw or two.  See below to win a £50 hamper packed full!

Win a hamper of Elizabeth Shaw chocolates

Win a £50 chocolate hamper from Elizabeth Shaw

How To Enter

  • Simply complete the Gleam widget below to verify your entries
  • Entries can be via blog comment, Facebook, Twitter etc
  • Read the rules below, and please take note of the entry criteria. I can tell if you have tweeted and facebooked, I do verify entries, and will, and have disqualified people who cheat.
  • Closing date Midnight 30th October 2016

New to Fuss Free Flavours or Gleam?

  • If there is no form hit refresh (f5) and it should appear
  • If it still not working check that your computer is running Javascript
  • You need to complete the mandatory entry first – usually amswering a question
  • Login to Gleam – click to see what the question is. Answer the question in the widget. This will unlock all the other options.
  • Gleam will tweet, like and follow on your behalf making it really easy to enter!
  • For information on how to find the url of your tweet click here
  • Really want to win the prize? Come back every day for bonus entries

Elizabeth Shaw Hamper

Good Luck!

Many thanks to Elizabeth Shaw for this prize

Post commissioned by Elizabeth Shaw, all opinions our own.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    I love the positivity of this post! I have just started sending letters and postcards and I think it’s such a nice way to connect.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I agree. I barely get any personal post these days, a card really cheers me up.

      Reply
  2. janie

    What a lovely post Helen, I’m certainly feeling the love <3
    Janie x

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thanks Janie. A side effect of giving some love is that you instantly feel better about yourself.

      Reply
  3. Shashi at RunninSrilankan

    Little thoughtful gestures make this such a beautiful world! I love your post Helen – thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Katie Crenshaw

    Lovely post! It lifted my mood. Great ideas on how to share some love.

    Reply
  5. Liz Mays

    If we stop to think unselfishly on a regular basis, these kindnesses will become a big part of us. I love it!

    Reply
  6. Platter Talk

    Thanks for the productive “bump”. I can use all of your suggestions.

    Reply
  7. liz denial

    I can’t get out & about but I’ve just been online shopping to find lots of lovely things to put in a Christmas hamper for Jean, my lovely carer/cleaner, who I couldn’t cope without. She always looks after me so I’m finding lots of things to put in the hamper so she can positively pamper herself

    Reply
  8. Tracey Ryder

    my nieghbiur has just come out of hospital (a double amputee) would make her a cuppa and have a good natter

    Reply
  9. Tracy Nixon

    I would bake a nice big shepherds pie (my parents favourite) and take it round for them as a treat!

    Reply
  10. Karen R

    I think I’ll do some baking with the children :)

    Reply
  11. Simon Tutthill

    I think for myself it would be to make someone you love a fantastic meal,as they say love makes the world go round

    Reply
  12. Leah Wheatley

    I would use my time by taking my m out for coffee and cake xx

    Reply
  13. Fiona K

    I would give mum a call

    Reply
  14. Kim Neville

    My elderly neighbour’s housework and take round some home made chocolate brownies

    Reply
  15. sarah birkett

    I am going to ( try to ) make some biscuits. visiting both of my children at uni next week, and they will ( probably ) be thrilled

    Reply
  16. Natasha M

    I would spend an extra hour not rushing and taking time to really talk to someone

    Reply
  17. Julie Henderson

    make some smoothies

    Reply
  18. laura banks

    we’d take the mother in law out for a drive

    Reply
  19. Stacey Carnell

    Putting a pack together this Christmas for the homeless <3

    Reply
  20. Fiona B

    Make a cuppa for everyone and chill out!

    Reply
  21. Tracey Peach

    I would go & see my brother as he has not long been in hospital

    Reply
  22. Matt McAndrew

    I would take them out for a delightful meal!

    Reply
  23. Ian Campbell

    I’d sweep up all the leaves that have fallen in my Dad’s garden, and generally have a tidy up :)

    Reply
  24. Alica

    I am going to iron all my adult daughter uniform for work for her while she is away on holiday so it is all done when she comes home a week after we change the clocks :)

    Reply
  25. Zoe C

    I would spend the extra hour spending more time as a family with my children, we don’t seem to get enough time together at the moment

    Reply
  26. Keri brooks

    If it was a close friend or family I would get alot of our pictures put it a short video and some captions and snap chats always cheers you up the funny and daft times

    Reply
  27. Norman Rendall

    spend time with my girlfriend

    Reply
  28. NATALIE CROSSAN

    I’d play monopoly with my daughter xx

    Reply
  29. Anthony Harrington

    I shall be spending my extra hour looking after my little Grandson who will be staying with us, I can’t wait!

    Reply
  30. Susan Hoggett

    I would use my extra hour to spend some much needed time with my daughter

    Reply
  31. Kate Knight

    I would meet up with my mum and go for a nice walk

    Reply
  32. Carly Belsey

    I will get up with the children and take them out so that my partner could have a nice peaceful lay in without kids jumping on him :-)

    Reply
  33. Jen Schofield

    By making them breakfast in bed

    Reply
  34. Jo Carroll

    I could use that extra hour to chop and peel all the veg for my other half so he could cook the Sunday Roast? ;)

    Reply
  35. bella smyth

    by donating a extra hour working at the charity shop

    Reply
  36. Julie feathers

    I would make my hubby breakfast in bed

    Reply
  37. Louise A

    I would use the extra hour to make a full English breakfast for everyone…a rare treat in our house

    Reply
  38. clair downham

    help my mum with the housework

    Reply
  39. Isabel O

    I think I would take my mums mischievous doggy on an extra long walk for her. He’s a little energetic scamp!

    Reply
  40. Laura Jeffs

    I would use the extra hour to take our lovely dog for a much longer and more enjoyable walk!

    Reply
  41. C Kennedy

    I would use the extra hour to go out for coffee with my mum, she doesn’t get out much and I think she can get a bit lonely sometimes

    Reply
  42. Heather Morrison

    I’m going to get up early with my little man to cook breakfast for his daddy xx

    Reply
  43. Julie Booth

    I would stay in bed giving my husband extra cuddles

    Reply
  44. barbara daniels

    making the family cup so te in be

    Reply
  45. Laura Nice

    Oh lovely post! I am going to walk my neighbours dog :)

    Reply
  46. Bob Clark

    Do some of the wife’s housework

    Reply
  47. helen tovell

    I will make my husband breakfast in bed

    Reply
  48. Karen Barrett

    My husband cleans out the fire every morning, I would leave him in bed and do the chore for him.

    Reply
  49. Lynsey Buchanan

    I would visit my mum for a cuppa tea and a good natter.

    Reply
  50. Laura-Jane Baker

    I would spend the extra hour making a super special breakfast for my hubby who works really hard

    Reply
  51. Jenna Parrington

    I entered wrong so will leave my entry here. I would bring my partner breakfast in bed and let him have a lie in :)

    Reply
  52. Becky Duffy

    We’ll be away for the weekend so I’ll get up as normal and cook breakfast then take my daughter for an extra swim as it’s her favourite pastime :)

    Reply
  53. Beky Austerberry

    I would make my hubby a slap up meal to thank him for working so hard

    Reply
  54. rebecca nisbet

    i would go round to my elderly neighbours for a cuppa, she loves the company.

    Reply
  55. leanne weir

    I would visit my nan more often. As I have grown up I think I have not made enough time for her

    Reply
  56. Julie T

    Make sure that you spend the extra time ‘doing unto others as you would have them do to you’, generally being nice also as you suggested actually write a letter to someone, it mkes the recipient feel special.

    Reply
  57. Jayne Kelsall

    I would love to go down to our local care home and do some of the ladies hair and nails.x

    Reply
  58. Keshia Esgate

    I would spend more time with my granddad

    Reply
  59. cathyj

    visit my nan

    Reply
  60. Samantha O'D

    Some lovely suggestions, we have just given away a huge amount of baby items

    Reply
  61. Amber Rossi

    I would make them their favourite meal and play their favourite music.

    Reply
  62. Phil A

    I would walk the dogs so my other half doesn’t have to

    Reply
  63. Tracey S Anderson

    I will set the alarm to loose the extra hour to amle my Daughter a surprise breakfast in bed as she needs a treat after the tough times she has been through the last couple of weeks x x

    Reply
  64. Emma Rawlinson

    I’ll go to visit some elderly relatives who don’t get out of the house much

    Reply
  65. Vicki Violet Morris

    It will give me an extra hour to spend some time with my Mum most likely spent out shopping with a pitstop for a nice cup of tea :)

    Reply
  66. Laura Harrison

    I would take my mum out for coffee / tea and cake. Thank you for the lovely giveaway xx

    Reply
  67. Heather Haigh

    I will bake a cake for my pal

    Reply
  68. Cecelia Allen

    I will spend the hour changing all the clocks in my little 2 bed house, all 11 of them. I love clocks.

    Reply
  69. Joanna Coleshill

    Bring my husband breakfast in bed!

    Reply
  70. Emma H

    I would make chocolate chip pancakes for my boyfriend for breakfast.

    Reply
  71. sharon martin

    i’d bake my family a big batch of yummy cakes

    Reply
  72. Chantel

    I’ll use the extra hour to take on family chores.

    Reply
  73. Marrian

    I would give my mum a manicure and pedicure.

    Reply
  74. Kim Styles

    I would walk the dog for my daughter!!

    Reply
  75. Chloe brill

    In bed relaxing

    Reply
  76. Gillian Turner

    I’ll make my mum and dad a cottage pie :)

    Reply
  77. steph lovatt

    Make everyone breakfast in bed

    Reply
  78. Lynne OConnor

    Catching up on phone calls to friends and family

    Reply
  79. Ellen Stafford

    I will bake mum a cake

    Reply
  80. Danika Lloyd

    Cooking dinner for my parents

    Reply
  81. claire little

    I’ll make my hubby breakfast in bed

    Reply
  82. Oksana Fitzgerald

    I will visit my father in law who is disabled

    Reply
  83. christine shelley

    I’m sat here comping hoping to win a prize to give an elderly friend whos quite down at the moment because of family illness, it would cheer her up

    Reply
  84. Cathy O

    Would pop over to mother-in-law’s who lost her husband and make her breakfast in bed.

    Reply
  85. Iris W

    Baking some nutella chocolate brownies for my oldest daughter, she has had a bit of stress lately finding a uni place and could do with some cheering up. Of course this would make the rest of the family happy too

    Reply
  86. Laura Findlay

    Visit my elderly neighbour for a chat and a cuppa x

    Reply
  87. Meena H

    I’ll give my husband an extra long lie in and get up (early!) with the children

    Reply
  88. Dale Dow

    I helped my Mum tidy her house after she had a Halloween Party last night

    Reply
  89. jules eley

    I would make my husband a lovely breakfast and sit and enjoy it with him!

    Reply
  90. Tammy Neal

    I would put them before myself make sure there treated x

    Reply
  91. Jade Leigh

    Make sweet cones for the children on my street and make them smile xx

    Reply
  92. Vicki Smith

    I’d go and get breakfast and coffees in before the other half woke up as a nice treat

    Reply
  93. Annette Oliver

    Have some good quality time with my daughter

    Reply
  94. Jamie C Millard

    I visited my little niece – took her presents to spoil her

    Reply
  95. Linda

    I think I would cook a nice dinner for my family.

    Reply
  96. marie miles

    id pop to my neighbours for a cup of tea and chat, my neighbour has Parkinsons and as of late he has not been out and about as much as he used to and i think company for a while would do him some good and be just the thing to perk him up abit.

    Reply
  97. Jessica Hutton

    I would cook my mum breakfast in bed. She deserves it xx

    Reply
  98. Matt Froggatt

    To give my other half an extra hour in bed

    Reply
  99. Kathleen Thomson

    well i was at work cleaning hotel rooms ended up helping someone out with their rooms which took about a hr but didnt get no thank you or anything they didnt even seem relieved they got some help so dont think i will bother next time a small ty goes a long way

    Reply
  100. Diana

    I let my daughter stay longer and watch X-Factor, she was so happy and danced to every single song :)

    Reply
  101. Emma

    Doing mum’s grocery shop

    Reply
  102. amanda greensmith

    catching up on sleep

    Reply
  103. Samantha Buntain

    To make my other half bed in breakfast

    Reply
  104. Cassandra Mayers

    I would visit my neighbour and take her cake. She is a lovely old lady but doesn’t get many visitors

    Reply
  105. Corinne Wright

    An extra hour to enjoy more snuggles with my boys, doesn’t get any better than that X

    Reply

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Headshot of Helen Best-Shaw, Food Blogger at Fuss Free Flavours I'm Helen, full time freelance food writer, photographer and blogger. On this site you will find my fuss-free recipes, travel and reviews. Learn more here
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