Greetings from the land of Gemini Girl in a Random World, better known as Siberia. It’s that time of year again, and instead of posting porn-inspired Elf on the Shelf pictures like everyone else you’re connected to on Facebook, I thought I’d try something new this holiday season.
This is not my idea of a good time. Image via fb-troublemakers.com
Inspired by a genuine lack of desire to fill our family advent house with candy (soooo pre-gluten-free 2011), I decided it was time to mix things up a little and stuff each tiny compartment with a good deed. I’ll admit that at first, my children were disappointed with the change, but there’s nothing like the threat of carefully placed, age-inappropriate mom comments on their Instagram feeds to get everyone moving in the same direction.
After working through the 25 days of kindness-inspired tasks for my kids to fulfill, I thought…”Why not extend the invitation to do good to friends, family, and the thousands of three people who still follow my blog?” So if you’re here, right now, reading this post instead of maxing out your credit card buying stuff during the Cyber Monday free shipping window that you can conveniently access on every single other day of the year? You’re in the club.
So here we are at Day One: Pay A Stranger A Compliment. I chose something easy this morning because it’s the simplest things in life that are most meaningful. O.K. I just made that up. In reality, a pyramid scheme full of cash raining down on you from selling fake annuities to the elderly can be pretty great too, but I’m pressed for time.
It feels good to do good. Plain and simple. So join me on my journey to make someone happy today by paying a stranger a compliment, because it’s fun, easy, and your smile will be as wide as the person you choose to help.
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I, Gemini Girl, have interrupted my non-existent scheduled programming to bring you the 25 Days of Giving Challenge. Please join me in my quest, over the next 25 days, to make people happy. I’ll share stories of giving escapades that will be sure to wow, impress, or at least not annoy anyone who chooses to participate. Each Day of Giving option will be conveniently brought to you via email if you follow this blog. And if you’re already a follower? Pass it onto your friends. If we work together we can change the world, or at least dramatically improve my hit ratio.
READING BETWEEN THE PINES 
Love it Stacie, we’re in!!!!
Rob, Sofie, les
Yay! So happy you’re joining the challenge Robyn. We’ll have lots of fun! xoxo
Great to hear Robyn. Why am I not surprised? You’re one of the most giving people I know! xoxo
Yay! A blog from you after so long…. And for the next 24 days too; sweet! I’m in the club – just have to find a stranger to compliment (I hope someone is worthy). And no, I’m not into shopping on T-Day, or Black Friday, or cyberMonday — because everyday is potentially a shopping day, plus I’m a snob who doesn’t want to hobnob with the plebeians. 🙂
I look forward to tomorrow’s instructions. Thanks, Stacie!
I’m curious to hear feedback. I haven’t made it out of the house today but will find my stranger at the gym tonight or the grocery store later today.
Thank you, as always, for commenting Stella. Love you!
Thanks for the chuckle. Desperately needed!
Sent from my iPhone
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Love you Prent! xoxo
I’m in the club!
Isn’t it better to be in the club rather than waiting outside in a ginormous line in your stilettos and mini skirt freezing your a_ _ off? Compliment away Suzette and thank you for the read and comment. Hope you’re well. =)
I love this idea! I have to take my son to an appointment today, so I’ll try to pay a stranger a compliment. That’s tough for an introvert, but I’ve done it before, and I can do it again. I look forward to seeing what other good deeds you have planned.
You can do it! Just use your Carrie Rubin blog persona and it will feel like you’ve just acquired a new superpower. Thank you for your retweet and your support. As an aside, WordPress just let me know that my stats are “through the roof!” today. Compared with, ummm, zero anything looks good. Happy Holidays my friend!
Haha. The stats always look better after a period of ‘rest.’ Happy holidays to you too!
I am so impressed with this idea, Stacey!!! Why didn’t I think of this? I am going to try this out with my own family! Thank you for your inspiration today.
So glad to hear that Diane! I’ll post a new act of kindness each day so stay tuned…. =)
Stacie, I missed you! Glad to see your writing on your blog again. I’m game for 24 more days of kindness! Bring it on!!!
I knew I could count on you Lesia! More to follow. Thanks for the comment. =)
I’m only hanging around until you reveal how to pull off the annuities scam.
Crap – did I say that out loud??? 😉
Ha! I can’t reveal my secrets until you compliment a stranger but then I’ll tell you everything you need to know. Great to see you Guap!
It’s great to see you blogging again, I have definitely missed your humorous and always well-worded posts!
Great to see your smiling avatar…would love to see your beautiful photos. Are you still blogging?
I like it! Glad you’re back — I’ll have to take part in at least one of these 25 in your honor. xx
Awww, you do so much for your community that I’m sure you’ve already got your version of this organically. Love to see you here, hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are looking forward to the holidays. xoxo
Woo hoo!!! You’re still out there … welcome back … and love the idea with your challenge. One check mark for me!
Somehow I feel like you’ll breeze through the challenge. Thank you for coming by, commenting, and sticking with my painfully spotty blog! =)
Each of us should embrace this challenge every day.
Hansen Family is in!! Thanks Stace for the inspiration! And soooo happy that Gemini Girl is back!!!
Yay Hansen family! More early in the morning tomorrow… xoxo
Well I like your first one. I try to do this pretty regularly. I look forward to the fun stories. 🙂
Of course you do, because you have such a huge, kind, giving heart. Thank you for bringing so much beauty into the world Dani! xoxo
Random acts of kindness? Yup. Love it. I always call the checkout chick by the name on their name badge. It’s a hoot. Only a couple have fainted. They are all trained to start with “Hey, how are you?” of course, so I shoot back with “Really good, insert name here, how are you today? How’s your shift, just starting or just ending? Gee it’s hot, huh? Have you ever tried these biscuits? Really good.”
It’s worth it to see their jaws drop. One even said “How do you know I’m called Tracee?” I suspect she’s one TV dinner short of a feast.
I usually stop when security start to look threatening.
Hey – I’m a stranger. Compliment me! Oh, fuck, that was yesterday. I need to get in sooner.
Are you drinking? Just curious. =p
Bit early even for me Stacie …
Super-funny, off the cuff comment. But it’s happy hour somewhere right?
It’s always beer o’clock somewhere, thank God!
I love this, and I would’ve done it. But I didn’t go out yesterday. At all. Maybe I should’ve said something nice to the UPS guy, but he just rang the doorbell and left before I could even get to the door.
I like the days when I’m holed up in my house. Especially when I can serial watch Scandal on Netflix. =p
Great idea,, thank you!!
Thank you for reading, commenting, and participating Kelly!
I’m in – behind by 3 days, but I’m an overachiever, so I’ll catch up to the front of the pack fast. 😉
I imagine that you’ll treat this challenge like a race, Amy. I know you’re fast, and I’m betting you’re also a little sly too (but in a super-nice way). Great to see you here, and so happy for your new marriage. You need to look us up when you come back! =)
I’m behind several days but I will endeavour to catch up! A great series of ideas 🙂