How can I practice

Everyday Magic

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is navigate the hazards of every day life. Which makes helping with daily tasks an easy and impactful way to reach out to those around us. Reaching out when we can, doing what we can, even if what we offer is small, can add up to make a big difference to the people in our lives.

Provide a Meal

  • Things to consider:

    • How many people are in the household?

    • Do they have the ability to easily reheat or freeze meals?

    • Do they have allergies or food restrictions?

      • Children who are picky eaters

      • Restricted diets for medical procedures

      • Only handle broths or cold things with chemotherapy

    • What meals would be most helpful?

      • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks?

    • Are they able to eat at home?

      • Are they constantly on the road, in the hospital, or dashing between multiple jobs? This may inform what kind of meal to provide.

    • What times of day are best for delivery/drop off?

    • Are there days of the week where providing a meal would be more helpful than others?

    • If the meal you provide has any additional cooking instructions, make sure to include them.

    • Are you delivering in disposable containers, or ones you need returned?

      • Can you use disposable containers/pans that they don't need to return to you?

      • Can you arrange to pick them up later, and make it clear they don't have to try to wash them before you do?

  • Organize a meal train? Coordinate other family and friends to provide meals regularly.

  • Contribute to a meal delivery service?

  • Provide gift cards to restaurants, especially those that deliver or have online ordering.

Offer House Cleaning Help

  • General cleaning

  • Clean bathrooms

  • Take out garbage

  • Clean refrigerator

  • Dust

    • Overall dusting, blinds, ledges, ceiling fans.

  • Water plants

  • Wash windows

  • Clean garage

  • Pet areas

Help with Household Maintenance

  • Laundry

  • Ironing

  • Mending

  • Decluttering

  • Simple home repairs

  • Clean dryer vents

  • Replace lightbulbs

  • Change air filters on heaters or air conditioners

  • Change batteries in smoke detectors or CO2 monitors

Offer Seasonal Assistance

  • Mow lawn

  • Help weed

  • Garden maintenance

  • Rake leaves

  • Shovel snow

  • Other yard work

  • Set up and remove holiday decorations

  • Blow out sprinklers or drain water hoses

Provide Transportation

  • Rides for kids activities

  • Errands

    • groceries, pharmacies, libraries, bank, post office, etc.

  • Rides to appointments

    • hair cuts, doctor, dentist, legal, etc.

  • Rides to the vet

  • Rides to religious services or meetings

Run Errands

  • Pick up groceries

  • Pick up household items

    • paper products, cleaners, office supplies, pet supplies, hardware store

  • Pick up dry cleaning

  • Other shopping

  • Post office/Mail packages

  • Exchanges and returns

  • Gift shopping and/or wrapping

  • Drop off bank deposits

  • Pick up prescriptions or other medications

Just Be There

  • Stay in touch. Depending on your relationship, that can look very different, and all have value.

    • A simple text can be enough to let someone know you are thinking about them.

    • Set up a regular phone call or coffee date.

    • Just listen. Can you be the safe friend they can vent to without fear of judgement?

    • Provide a respite. Sometimes it feels like the entire world has narrowed to whatever they are going through. Can you be the friend that offers a break to talk about other things? Or invite out to fun activities?

    • Be the one that always remembers birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions.

    • Make a surprise stop to deliver coffee or flowers or a favorite treat.

    • Are you super organized? Help friends, families, neighbors, or coworkers to stay in touch or involved.

    • Even if they can't attend, continue to invite them to things you normally would. Knowing they are welcome is important.

    • When needed, be a sounding board. Sometimes it’s hard to make decisions alone.

    • Ask, “Do you want me to listen or help you brain storm solutions?”

    • Send notes, postcards, letters of encouragement.

    • Suggest music, movies, shows, books, etc. and watch together.

    • Offer to become an exercise, gym, or walking partner.

    • Celebrate small victories/accomplishments.

    • Advocate for them.

Offer Financial support

  • Have more money than time?

    • Purchase groceries

    • Pay for a meal service

    • Give gift cards for restaurants or other food (especially if they deliver)

    • Pay for a house cleaner

    • Purchase gas cards or bus tokens

    • Pay for a babysitter

    • Sponsor activity fees

    • Pay for respite care

    • Assist with household or other bills

    • Gift subscriptions (entertainment, )

    • Pay for “extras”

      • Massages, family photos, etc.

Gift Your Time

  • Help write or mail letters

  • Babysit

  • Pet assistance

    • help feed, walk, transport, administer medications

  • Moving help- packing and unpacking

  • Waiting: for plumbers, repair people, etc.

Other

  • Not everyone has the same skills. Do they need help with?

    • Party or event preparation

    • Budgeting

    • Bill paying

    • Making appointments

    • Filling out forms

    • Figuring out legal issues

    • Tech support

    • Help make a to-do list

    • Car maintenance

      • Checking tires

      • Changing oil

      • Checking window washer blades and fluid

      • Car wash