Sunday, 15 February 2026

Random Acts of Kindness Day – Bringing a Little Christmas Magic to February

At That’s Christmas 365, we believe the Christmas spirit isn’t confined to December. It’s a feeling. A mindset. 

A quiet decision to bring warmth into someone else’s day.

Random Acts of Kindness Day is the perfect excuse to sprinkle a little festive goodwill into the world — even if the decorations are packed away and the fairy lights are back in the loft.

Because kindness, much like Christmas, never really goes out of season.

Why Kindness Feels So Christmassy

Think about what makes Christmas special:

Generosity

Thoughtfulness

Community

Surprise

Warmth

Random acts of kindness tick every single one of those boxes.

That unexpected gift.

That handwritten card.

That extra tin of biscuits left on a neighbour’s doorstep.

It’s the same magic — just without the pressure of wrapping paper and turkey timings.

Simple Festive-Inspired Acts of Kindness

You don’t need grand gestures. Often, it’s the smallest actions that make the biggest difference.

1. Leave a “Secret Santa” Surprise

Pop a small treat through a neighbour’s letterbox with a simple note:

“Just because. Wishing you a lovely day.”

It could be:

A chocolate bar

A book

A scented candle

A homemade bake

No name required. Let the mystery add to the charm.

2. Pay It Forward

Cover someone’s coffee in a local café. Or slip an extra pound into a charity tin at the till.

That quiet generosity carries a very December-like glow.

3. Winter Warmth Hampers

February can feel long and cold. Why not put together a small “winter cheer” bundle for someone who might need a lift?

Include:

Tea or hot chocolate

A cosy pair of socks

A puzzle or magazine

A handwritten note

It’s essentially a mini Christmas Eve box — just in disguise.

4. Send an Unexpected Card

We’re so used to receiving post only in December. Imagine the joy of a surprise card in February.

A simple:

“Thinking of you today.”

can mean more than you realise.

5. Support a Small Business

Kindness isn’t just personal — it can be local too.

Leave a glowing review

Share a small business on social media

Buy a gift voucher for future use

It costs little but can make a genuine difference.

Bringing the Spirit Home

Random Acts of Kindness Day is also a wonderful opportunity to involve family.

If you have children, this is a brilliant way to teach them that generosity isn’t transactional. It’s not about getting something back.

Create a “Kindness Jar” at home.

Write ideas on slips of paper.

Pick one and complete it together.

It becomes a tradition — much like decorating the tree.

Kindness and Wellbeing

Here’s the beautiful twist: kindness doesn’t just help the receiver.

It boosts mood, lowers stress and builds connection. In the darker months after Christmas, when many people feel a lull, even the smallest act can brighten more than one life.

That glow you feel after doing something thoughtful?

That’s the Christmas spirit working overtime.

Keep Christmas in Your Heart (All Year Round)

Random Acts of Kindness Day reminds us that Christmas isn’t about the date on the calendar.

It’s about:

Compassion

Community

Quiet generosity

Making someone else’s day a little lighter

So today, do one small thing.

Then maybe do another tomorrow.

Because at That’s Christmas 365, we firmly believe that if we can keep kindness alive, we never really have to pack Christmas away at all.

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Saturday, 14 February 2026

A story about love, laughter, and a life saved, for Valentine’s week

While many mark Valentine’s Day with flowers and romantic dinners, Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) is using the occasion to celebrate a different kind of love, the gift of more time with the people you love.

Steve, a local man from Gloucestershire and a father, is alive today thanks to the rapid response of GWAAC’s crew after a sudden, life-threatening incident. 

A short film being launched this week captures what survival looks like — sharing laughter in a pub, a father and son teasing each other, and the simple words “I love you.”

Around two thirds of the charity’s patients are male — often fathers, sons, partners and friends. But behind every patient is a ripple effect with all those that care for the person being affected.

GWAAC’s film is a reminder that love isn’t just about romantic relationships, but about the meaningful moments we spend with our family and friends. 

And for Steve, more time together with his family was made possible thanks to donations from the public and support for GWAAC.

Steve’s story is one of many. Every call-out, every mission, every intervention can ensure more time together for families like his.

Watch Steve’s story here and learn more about what GWAAC did to help: www.gwaac.com/mtt

Friday, 13 February 2026

Thursday, 12 February 2026

Valentine’s Day in 2026: Why Greeting eCards Are Changing the Way Love Is Expressed

Valentine’s Day has long been associated with flowers, chocolates, and handwritten cards, but a growing number of people across the UK are choosing a more meaningful way to celebrate love in 2026: digital Valentine’s Day cards that also support charitable causes.

As rising postage costs and environmental concerns reshape gifting habits, digital greeting cards have become a practical and emotionally resonant alternative.

Platforms offering thoughtfully designed Valentine’s eCards now allow senders to express affection instantly, wherever their loved ones are, while contributing to social good at the same time.

Industry observers note that Valentine’s Day is increasingly about intention rather than excess. Consumers are looking for gifts that align with their values: sustainability, connection, and social responsibility.

This shift has positioned Valentine’s eCards as more than a convenience, they are becoming a conscious choice.

Those exploring modern Valentine’s options can view a curated collection of Valentine’s Day eCards and discover a growing range of animated Valentine’s Day eCards, each designed to balance romance with real-world impact.

One UK-based platform leading this shift is Hope Spring eCards, a Hereford-based digital greetings initiative that combines beautifully illustrated Valentine’s cards with charitable giving.

When someone sends a Valentine’s eCard through the platform either via email or WhatsApp, the sender makes a voluntary donation that directly supports clean water and sanitation projects in underserved communities across Africa.

Unlike traditional cards, digital Valentine’s cards are no longer static or impersonal. Many now feature animation, music, and interactive design, bringing emotion to life in ways paper cannot.

“We design our Valentine’s eCards to feel personal and heartfelt, not generic,” Sheriff, a volunteer designer who contributes to the platform’s creative direction, told That's Christmas 365.

“Animation lets us tell small love stories, a smile, a hug, a shared moment, in just a few seconds. Also knowing that these designs also help fund clean water projects gives the work real meaning.”

The growing popularity of animated Valentine’s eCards reflects a broader trend in digital gifting, especially among younger couples and long-distance partners. These eCards are increasingly shared via email and messaging apps like Whatsapp, allowing instant delivery without sacrificing emotional impact.

What sets Hope Spring eCards apart is the link between celebration and impact. Donations made when sending an eCard help fund water alleviation initiatives, including boreholes and sanitation infrastructure in African communities where access to clean water remains a daily challenge.

“Every Valentine’s message sent can become part of a bigger story,” explains Mary, another volunteer supporting the initiative.

“It’s incredible to think that an eCard sent to someone you love in the UK can help provide safe water to families thousands of miles away.”

The platform operates on a donation-based model, allowing senders to choose how much they give, reinforcing the idea that generosity, like love, doesn’t have to be fixed or transactional.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, platforms that combine creativity with compassion are expected to play an even greater role in how people celebrate. For many, the idea that a simple digital gesture can spark both personal joy and global change is redefining what it truly means to give from the heart.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

Wednesday, 4 February 2026

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Teddy Day: A Little Comfort with Big Christmas Energy

Teddy Day may fall in February, but teddy bears feel far more Christmassy than romantic.

Soft, nostalgic and comforting, they tap into the same emotions that make Christmas so special – warmth, familiarity and simple joy.

Long before they became Valentine’s gifts, teddies were companions for bedtime, poorly days and Christmas mornings. That emotional comfort is why they still resonate so strongly today, for adults as much as children.

Rather than grand gestures, Teddy Day works beautifully as a quiet, Christmas-style moment. A teddy paired with hot chocolate, a book or a cosy evening in feels far more in keeping with festive traditions than flashy romance.

At That’s Christmas 365, we see Teddy Day as a reminder that festive feelings don’t belong to just one season. Comfort matters, nostalgia matters, and sometimes the most Christmassy thing you can do is slow down and hug a teddy.

Because Christmas isn’t always about dates on a calendar – it’s about how something makes you feel.

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Tuesday, 3 February 2026

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