When the clocks go back on the 30th October, we all gain an extra hour, and Elizabeth Shaw Chocolates have launched a lovely campaign that focuses on thoughtfulness and consideration and encourages people to utilise this extra time to make thoughtful gestures. Little things can make a big difference to someone’s day, for example calling an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, taking your neighbour’s dog for a walk or giving a stranger spare change.
This is more about good deeds and kind gestures that don't necessarily cost money but can really have an impact on brightening someone's day. I asked the Madhouse kids to help me think of ways to spread a little kindness and I was touched by some of their ideas.
With Christmas on the way, they mentioned children in hospitals or those who don't have enough money to buy lots of Christmas gifts, so we are going through the toy cupboards, finding puzzles, books and games that are still in good condition but that they aren't very interested in any more, which we are taking to a collection point in a local toy store.
Similarly, we've been adding an extra item or two to the shopping trolley to put in the food collection points - it doesn't have to be expensive things, a big bag of pasta or rice can cost pennies.
Something we already did was visiting a lonely old lady who lives on the corner of our street. As well as popping in for a chat, the Madhouse kids have been drawing pictures for her and taking along some of our homemade bakes, which always puts a smile on her face.
We've been looking out for the wildlife in the garden too, hanging up fat balls for the birds and creating an insect hotel for the creepy crawlies.
With it being half term, I've also been trying to reduce the stress levels of parents when their kids are having a meltdown, giving up my seat on the bus or letting them go through the tills before me if their child is starting to cry or play up. Their gratitude is palpable !
Elizabeth Shaw also sent me through a lovely selection of their chocolates, so I've been generously sharing it in the staffroom at work. You'd be amazed at how many squeals of excitement a box of chocolates on the table in the staff room with a "help yourself !" note stuck on them can produce, and it makes a nice change to the usual complaining at break time !
To help spread even more happiness, Elizabeth Shaw have very kindly offered to send a £50 hamper full of delicious chocolates to one lucky Madhouse Family Reviews reader. The hamper includes;
Dark Chocolate Cappuccino flutes
Dark Chocolate Lemon flutes
Dark Chocolate Mint Flutes
Dark Chocolate Orange Flutes
Milk Chocolate Amaretto Flutes
Dark Chocolate Mint Crisps
Milk Chocolate Mint Crisps
Milk Chocolate Orange Crisps
Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Crisps
Milk Chocolate Almond Bites
Milk Chocolate Cappuccino Bites
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bites
Dark and Milk Chocolate Mint Collection
Orange Merry Christmas Mini Gift – includes orange flutes and bites
Mint Merry Christmas Mini Gift – includes mint flutes and bites
Fill in your entries via the Rafflecopter widget below.
UK only. Closing date : 11/11/16
T & C's : Entries close at midnight on the closing date. Winners will be selected with a random number generator and announced on facebook and in the giveaway post subject line. Please note, you will be contacted by email and/or twitter and if I haven't heard from you after 28 days, I'll have to pick another winner. Prizes will be sent out by the companies or their PR directly to winners. Madhouse Family Reviews cannot be held responsible for any prizes that go astray !
You may also like to enter my other giveaways :
Giveaway #592 : Win 3 x Hoxton Street Monster Supplies Cookbook - closing date 9/11
Giveaway #591 : Win The Von Trapp Family: A Life Of Music on dvd - closing date 7/11
Giveaway #590 : Win a set of greetings cards - closing date 5/11
Giveaway #588 : Win The Ultimate Emoji Sticker Activity Book - closing date 2/11
Enter Welly Foods Puddle of the Year photo comp - big prizes plus bonus £50 cash prize for one of my readers
Competitions listed on www.ThePrizeFinder.com
I invite my elderly neighbour round for coffee every Tuesday morning - as she lives on her own and doesn't get many visitors. She really enjoys a chat over a cuppa and she always brings the cake or biscuits - so we help each other out!
ReplyDeletei enjoyed filling a shoebox with goodies with my 2 sons for the shoebox appeal knowing its making someone's xmas a bit happier :)
ReplyDeleteI'm making a daily call to check in with my friend and have a chat while she's havng some issues with her mental health. I want her to know Im always thinking of her and there for her
ReplyDeletePutting together a donation to our local food bank.
ReplyDeleteBought some tins of cat and dog food, even though we don't have pets, just to put in the collection point for the local animal rescue.
ReplyDeleteWell I am going to continue to tweet lots of blog competitions so pther people can enter them & it will help bloggers get entries & more visits to their blogs :)
ReplyDeleteI will make a cake for family and spend some time with them.
ReplyDeletea man today let me in front of him at the supermarket as i only had 2 items which i was very impressed with as it showed there is nice people in the world still
ReplyDeleteI did my neighbour's food shopping for her as she was recovering from an operation and got her a few treats too :-)
ReplyDeleteI've entered x
ReplyDeletePut my neighbours recycling bin out and then return it for them.
ReplyDeleteI make cakes for my friends & family who I know are too busy to make their own.
ReplyDeleteI'd treat my gran to a home-based afternoon tea complete with cups & saucers, scones and an elizabeth shaw chocolate on the side!
ReplyDeleteOur next door neighbour, who is older than us and lives on his own, always brings his newspapers to us in the afternoon when he comes home. In return we make him a coffee and have a chat.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be doing a show box for the school with Eddie, and we often add an item to the food bank box in the local supermarket.
ReplyDeleteI take my daughters friend out with us when we are going on a day trip and have also took her on holiday. Her mum does not work and can not afford to treat her which is a shame as she is such a lovely girl.
ReplyDeleteI have just registered to host a refugee in my house!
ReplyDeleteI took a friend to the hospital when she twisted her ankle, then did all her shopping for the next 4 weeks!
ReplyDeleteI like to run my family members to appointments when I can. Having a car is great for helping out
ReplyDeleteI help out at the local Food Bank and make cards to sell for charity
ReplyDeleteI buy suspended coffee for the homeless
ReplyDeleteI don't do anything official, but I always make time for anyone needing a hand, whether I know them or not
ReplyDeletegave up a seat on bus to lady with small child
ReplyDeleteMariel P
I always do the cooking at home...I'm ill this week, and on Friday the boyfriend ran me a bath, and cooked dinner while I was in there! He even washed up afterwards too! Sometimes, little things like this make a massive difference :)
ReplyDeleteWe have a Smiles charity box in our house, when we find a penny in the street it's known as 'a penny for Smiles' ☺
ReplyDeleteWe have a Smiles charity box in our house, when we find a penny in the street it's known as 'a penny for Smiles' ☺
ReplyDeleteMy neighbours, for picking up my endless packages that always arrive when I'm not it!
ReplyDeleteI love cooking with the kids
ReplyDeleteHelp my elderly neighbours by doing their shopping and regularly keeping them company when they're lonely
ReplyDeleteI love dogs and helped foster for my local rescue :)
ReplyDeleteHelp my elderly neighbours by doing their shopping and regularly keeping them company when they're lonely
ReplyDeleteI use the bus often into town and always make a point of helping the elderly onto the bus with their shopping bags. It always amazes me how many people make no effort to help ...
ReplyDeleteI arrived at work wet one day as I cycle to the office, and a colleague brought over a coffee for me to warm me up which made my day
ReplyDeleteWe do an advent for a food bank- one item each day
ReplyDeleteI brought coffee and treats for work as we often work hard for little reward
ReplyDeleteI just try to always be the person that makes sure people are OK, even when others are ignoring them, it's awful that people just walk past when someone needs a little bit of help
ReplyDeletewe donate every week to the local food bank
ReplyDeletefabby x
ReplyDeletemy neighbour has become a double amputee and I do her housework and shopping as she has no family
ReplyDeleteExtra voluntary work, which can be very rewarding in itself
ReplyDeleteFound a phone yesterday in car park. Tried to track down owner via a fb message on her phone. It was clear she was Polish. An hour later she called her phone and she came to our house to collect it. She was very emotional and couldn't believe we tried to track her down. From her screen saver I could see she had children and I said to Bf that I bet she wouldn't want to lose the pictures. Turns out we were right and she was more bothered about that than the cost of her expensive phone. Her and her husband then returned with a huge bunch of flowers, a lovely bottle of red wine and a Next voucher for £30 (despite us saying we didn't want anything and were happy she had been reunited with her phone) what a lovely couple!
ReplyDeleteWe've been trying to look after our elderly neighbour, whose husband died earlier in the week :( She's doing really well and is quite independent, but she has no family and no-one should have to face that loss alone. It's the little gestures that mean the most, so even just having her in for a cup of tea and a chat makes a difference.
ReplyDeleteI also believe in random acts of kindness and in paying forward good fortune and kindness! x
Take the bins in for my elderly neighbours.
ReplyDeleteI have just moved and my new neighbours move my wheely bins before and after collection fro me every week! It is so kind of them
ReplyDeleteI'm just busy baking a cake for a freind
ReplyDeleteMy mother acts as my chauffeur as I am unable to drive to my epilepsy
ReplyDeleteI would bake a cake for my sister
ReplyDeleteI gave up my extra hour in bed today to drive my daughter to work so she could spend longer in bed
ReplyDeleteI would use my extra hour to bake a lovely cake and an apple pie for my kids
ReplyDeletei very rarely leave the house, my friend takes my daughter out when i feel i cant, shes a godsend
ReplyDeleteWhen I damaged my back.my mum would paint my toenails for me to cheer me up :) xxx
ReplyDeleteI’d like to spend some time helping my Mum out in her garden.
ReplyDeleteI want to spend more time with my adult daughter and spoil her a little :)
ReplyDeleteCut my elderly neighbours grass.x
ReplyDeleteDropping a friend a good luck message when you know they have a tough meeting at work that day x
ReplyDeleteI would spend my time with the children @bexallum on twitter
ReplyDeleteI have spent my spare hour making some soup for my daughter at Uni
ReplyDeleteI have spend spending time with my friends from Ukraine and helping them with their English.
ReplyDeleteI've been out this morning doing a litter pick in the street. My neighbours are really kind - taking in parcels, looking after plants when others are on holiday, etc.
ReplyDeleteI would make a full cooked breakfast for everyone. A cooked breakfast is a rarity in our house
ReplyDeleteThink I would bake some cakes
ReplyDeleteGive it to my girlfriend, she does everything for me and loves chocolate!
ReplyDeletehelping my dad in the garden
ReplyDeleteI always help my mum with her cleaning once a week :)
ReplyDeletethis would be a thank you for the family at xmas :)
ReplyDeleteive been getting the house ready for halloween so my daughter can give out treats to trick or treaters
ReplyDeleteI can't get out much now but my daughter comes and helps me with things and takes me out so i like to bake for her
ReplyDeleteI always help my sister do her make up especially as she has bad eye sight.
ReplyDeleteI always keep an eye on our elderly neighbours and take them shopping
ReplyDeleteMy neighbours are really nice, they are usually in the house as they are a bit older so they take in our parcels. I finally managed to return the favour this week as they were out and I took one in for them!
ReplyDeleteI'm cleaning my elderly next doors neighbors house while her husband is in hospital
ReplyDeleteI try and help my friend out. She is a new mum and on her own. I sometimes take the baby so she can have a sleep.
ReplyDeletei bake treats for my sports team for the mid morning break, a bad session isn't complained about so much if they're too busy eating!
ReplyDeleteI'd give this to my Nan, if I was to win. x
ReplyDeleteMy neighbour (and friend) has been using my washing machine - and we've been cooking meals together - while her kitchen is being renovated.
ReplyDeleteHeather G
were doing shoe boxes this year.
ReplyDeleteI spent the extra hour entirely sitting with my kids undistracted by homework and we cuddled up on the sofa watching cartoons where as usually that hour is spent running around and getting everything and everyone ready on time.
ReplyDeleteI've been inviting my next door neighbour in for sunday roast every weekend since his wife died a year ago.. he so lovely and i hate to see him on his own. x
ReplyDeleteMade the wife breakfast in be
ReplyDeleteI had my mum and her partner for roast dinner just because we wanted too
ReplyDeleteI help my neighbours with the Internet
ReplyDeleteI made lunch for my 92yr old grandmother, she is so independent but enjoyed having lunch made for her.
ReplyDeleteI like to bake cakes for my lovely elderly neighbors and I often help them with their gardening. I love the feeling of achievement
ReplyDeletei have entered thankyou
ReplyDeleteI would let my sister have an afternoon to herself and take the kids off her hands
ReplyDeletesomething little but i always pass on my day bus ticket when im finished with it.
ReplyDeleteI look after my niece so my little sister can sleep after her night shift
ReplyDeleteI've entered... a brilliant treat in time for xmas that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI would do my elderly neighbour’s shopping.
ReplyDeleteI helped out last week by paying for a stranger's train fare - leanne w
ReplyDeleteI did a 300 miole round trip to help my grandson, wh's car had broken down
ReplyDeleteI always try to help my elderly neighbour out with things like putting bins out, taking in deliveries for her but it's nothing special just neighbourly ;)
ReplyDeleteI've been helping out a friend with supplying dinners as they have lost their job recently :-(
ReplyDeleteAlthough our budget is really tight. I enjoyed shopping for the shoebox appeal. My son choose a boy aged between 2 and 4. It warmed my heart when he said "it's not fair that some children don't get presents". He is only four. Twitter @BishTAWN
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Shaw Chocolates are the best.x
ReplyDeleteI finished knitting a snood for my sister during my extra hour, then gave it to her later that day. She loved it!
ReplyDeleteI've helped my sister with her housework as she suffers from a chronic illness xx
ReplyDeleteI would give some of these to my parents and to my best friend. They're always helpful and thoughtful so it would be nice to give something back as a thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis looks lovely never tried Elizabeth Shaw chocolates x
ReplyDeleteI make my hubbys lunch every night to save him time in the morning! Thats my good gesture!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'd save these for a bit of a chocolate suprise Christmas Eve I think!
ReplyDeleteI love these best chocolate ever
ReplyDeletewonderful prize very excited!
ReplyDeleteentered :)
ReplyDeleteI made dinner for my friends and left it at their house last Friday night so they came in to a surprise meal
ReplyDeleteI,ve entered
ReplyDeleteJust spending quality time with someone is one of my favourite thoughtful things.
ReplyDeletei made shortbread for our office!
ReplyDeleteWe are doing the shoebox appeal at work :-)
ReplyDeleteI've done Christmas shoeboxes for 2 children the same age as mine
ReplyDeleteI offer to take my mum to her hospital appointment
ReplyDeleteI am a carer for my father-in-law who has dementia so I have to take care of all his needs
ReplyDeleteMy Mum sent my a little postcard in the post the other day that made me smile :)
ReplyDeletei cut my elderly neighbour's hedges and mow his lawn.
ReplyDeletei shop for a neighbour
ReplyDeleteentered :) fab comp
ReplyDeleteI regularly take my elderly neighbour`s dog out for a long walk
ReplyDeleteI'd share the prize out with my neighbors and mother in law.
ReplyDeleteI help ouut with the soup run at my local church serving soup and sandwiches to the homeless
ReplyDeleteI paid a strangers parking for them :)
ReplyDeleteMy neighbour was waiting for me at Heathrow Airport , when I arrived back from the USA . She kindly gave me a lift home .
ReplyDeleteMake my dads tea
ReplyDeleteI do shopping for the in law.
ReplyDeleteI am making pumpkin soup and pumpkin pie today and will take a few portions of both to elderly neighbours this evening
ReplyDeleteOur delivery driver for our grocery, has been so kind to us. Both my husband and I are housebound and disabled and one of them has been helping to take our mail to the post box. It's just a small gesture, but it means the world to us. x
ReplyDeleteI nominated a local charity I have supported for years for The Community Awards and they've been shortlisted, presentation event is tonight. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteI volunteer to help the homeless and needy. Sure this hamper would go down a treat!
ReplyDeleteI volunteer to help the homeless and needy. Sure this hamper would go down a treat!
ReplyDeleteI gave my sister chocolates to cheer her up when she was housebound having broken her ankle.
ReplyDeleteI look after my son, who has SEN as well as deal with my own disabilities and help my friends deal with theirs xx
ReplyDeleteI just generally help out when I see opportunity to, for example holding doors open.
ReplyDeleteBuy my elderly neighbour a newspaper every Saturday! She lives alone and is housebound.
ReplyDeleteI try and do something nice for someone else as much as possible. But not to win competitions, just because I want to spread happiness to people. I retuned my elderly neighbours TV last week and she seemed very grateful and surprised. I wish she wasn't surprised as that means people haven't done enough nice things for her lately!
ReplyDeleteFab giveaway! Thanks for the chance
ReplyDeleteI cook my dad a healthy meal 6 days a week which is why i love your recipe ideas
ReplyDeleteIve entered and would love to win and share with him
A surprise by my mum sending me festival clothes for my daughter couriered from India..was very heartfelt gesture
ReplyDeleteI like surprising people with little things...we often leave little treats on friends doorsteps on special occassions...its fun sneaking up in the dark so they don't think its us!
ReplyDeleteI bring the bins in for my neighbour every week
ReplyDeletewe always keep an eye out for the neighbours, if we havent seen them for a day or two, pop round to see if they are ok
ReplyDeleteI still cook for my sons and freeze it so they don't have to cook after work.
ReplyDeleteRaising funds for a friend in need recently x
ReplyDeleteI amtreating a friend who was kind during my recent illness by taking her to Champneys for a spa break
ReplyDeleteWe painted our elderly neighbours shed for her.
ReplyDeletelooking after my Mum for 3 months while she was struck down with illness.
ReplyDeleteI fund raise for a group of people with long term health issues
ReplyDeleteMy partner is the one who does things for people, she's very community minded and is happy to help anyone who needs it. Pesky MS means I just stay here. And sleep a lot.
ReplyDeleteI do little kind things like charity days through my work - we recently refurbished furniture being sold in charity shops.
ReplyDeleteI've ditched my commercial money grabbing job for one where I can genuinely help people who need it!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is very thoughtful. Often it's the little gestures that mean a lot like bringing me a cup of tea in bed when he gets up first.
ReplyDeleteI always try and help people that are struggling with prams or bags of shopping, always so grateul when people try and help me
ReplyDeleteThese have always been my mums favourites, would love to give her an extra bumper selection for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI always try to do a random act of kindness where I can.
ReplyDeleteI help wherever I can and often put tins or other goodie boxes into the collection basket at the supermarket
ReplyDeleteI have made some extra pies for my neighbour as he recently lost his wife
ReplyDeleteI have sent a couple of books and some chocolate to a friend who has broken her arm
ReplyDeleteWe give to many charities, we take in older dogs that are ill and reaching the ends of their lives when no one will adopt them
ReplyDeleteI've entered....my good gesture ..well if I win I might share it with the rest of the family!
ReplyDeleteI would spend some time talking to my lonely neighbour who loves to talk for ages!
ReplyDeleteI have just sent my best friend a bunch of flowers because she is unwell.
ReplyDeleteIf i won these i would give them to my poorly nan
ReplyDeletepassing baby items we no longer need on to others
ReplyDeleteI do things on the spur of the moment, but my friend bought me some flowers and chocs when I was ill. I would be mean and keep the prize for myself
ReplyDeleteGive a genuine smile to a stranger, a little thing that can brighten someones day up.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy surprising people with random acts of kindness this week, the local council lads working nearby my house were over the moon when I arrived with cuppas and bacon sandwiches!
ReplyDeletemy sister looked after my toddler for a year so i could go to work.
ReplyDeletei gave somebody my meet and greet tickets as i could not go through illness x
ReplyDeleteI do marathon runs to raise money for a childrens charity.
ReplyDeleteI leave books I've finished on benches in the woods where I walk for other readers.
ReplyDeleteA friendly smile always works wonders.
ReplyDeleteI've donated some unwanted stuff to charity.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is baking us a cake
ReplyDeletei love buying people flowers
ReplyDeleteMy son is now 46 years old but when he was little he bought me some Fairy liquid for Christmas after seeing the TV advert ... "for hands that do dishes..." so that I could have soft hands. He's still as kind and thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteA bunch of flowers always go down a treat
ReplyDeleteWe have a few elderly neighbours and we put their bins out and return them clean (hosed down, in and out)after every emptying
ReplyDeleteI like to have a clear out before Christmas and donate to local charity shops.
ReplyDeleteI usually make a christmas pudding for a friend when i make mine
ReplyDeleteI invite my ex mother-in-law for Sunday lunch as I know she loves this but never cooks a roast for herself
ReplyDeleteI spent the time making a big buffet for friends to come round and enjoy
ReplyDeleteSending my aunt something in the post since she lost her husband
ReplyDeleteI'm cleaning the whole house whilst Mum's on holiday
ReplyDeleteI'll sweep up all the leaves that have fallen in my Dads garden, and generally have a tidy up. It's a bit cold outside for him, and the garden's looking a bit autumnal and messy, so good to get it back in tip top condition again!
ReplyDeleteI would like to have my neighbour round for a coffee and catch up
ReplyDeleteI enjoy being able to help out friends parents when I can as I live nearer them
ReplyDeletegreat giveaway i would love to share with my work colleagues who are all careres and work very hard
ReplyDeletei would share it with my family who are always there for me
ReplyDeleteraised money for nspcc x
ReplyDeleteI just love helping other people in any way that I can, however big or small and put others before myself always x
ReplyDeleteI purchased a gift for my local shopping centres' "giving tree" to help a disadvantaged child this christmas.
ReplyDeleteThis would be lovely
ReplyDeleteI like to donate to the local food bank and this year I am going to create a present bundle for them so that local people who can't afford presents can receive some
ReplyDeleteThe nurse practitioner at my doctors has been the only one to come out and see me (I'm housebound at the moment) and really tries to get me as much help as she can so she deserves a lovely treat this year as no one there has shown me as much compassion as she has.
ReplyDeletei make cakes for friends and family to be nice
ReplyDeleteI'm going to make an extra special breakfast in bed for my hubby as he's been working really hard lately.
ReplyDeletePUTTING ITEMS TOGETHER FOR A CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX FOR CHILDREN IN Africa.
ReplyDeleteI do my elderly neighbour shopping every week
ReplyDeletei work daily as a nurse
ReplyDeleteI volunteer for the local soup run at my church
ReplyDeleteraise money for charity
ReplyDeleteThis year we're donating toys, gloves, socks, selection boxes to children who will be in group homes over Christmas through 4 steps to a smile
ReplyDelete