Kind of Surprised

Lucky 13!

2008-12-11T11:08:00.000-08:00

We've made it to Europe! "T" in Germany received the most gorgeous, silver, mother and child necklace from "M" in Washington. It featured "T's" daughter's birth stone. "T's" daughter also happens to be "M's" granddaughter!

More Love in Nebraska

2008-12-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

"A" in Nebraska emailed telling us about a gift she received from "L" in Nebraska.

"Some of the softest jammies that have ever touched my skin and my fav, a dark chocolate bar! It totally made my day! I will be sure to pass on the love!"

A First in Texas

2008-12-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

"A" in Texas, our first recipient there, sent an email letting us know that she received a wonderful gift from "A" in Ohio (by way of Georgia).

Here is what "A" had to say:
"I received a wonderful surprise in the mail! A card filled with happy greetings, a bookmark & notice of a preordered book by my one of my favorite authors~ JK Rowling! The book will be delivered this week, and I just can't wait for it to arrive. I am so grateful for this little surprise. It was clearly something I was 'needing' and was not going to get for myself just yet. It's so nice to have friends like this. I can't wait to complete my Kind of a Surprise!"

She sent a follow-up email letting us know that the book arrived on it's release date! Very cool!

A Perfect 10!

2008-12-11T10:43:00.001-08:00

The tenth Kind of Surprised Gift was received by "L" in Nebraska. She wrote to tell us about how someone made her day. "I got an e-mail from the front desk at work saying that I had a package to pick up and to my surprise was this totally cute scarf wrapped in ribbons. I was having a really bad day at work, not to mention a rough couple of weeks, and receiving this gift totally made my day! I am so thankful for the friend that gave me this gift. She is like a sister to me and a truly kind and giving person. I can’t wait to surprise someone with a “kind” gift."

Gifted in Nebraska

2008-12-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

"D" in Nebraska emailed to tell us that she received a gift from "K" in Iowa. Here is what she had to say: "She gave me a sewing kit with some really cute orange fabric! I'll have to dust off the old sewing machine! It really surprised me and made my day!!!".

Picture!

2008-12-10T23:52:00.000-08:00

It was mentioned in a previous post that "M" in Washington sent a cookbook to "K" in Iowa! "K" forwarded a picture of herself with her "Hungry Girl" cookbook. Thanks for sending this great picture!

Gifts Received

2008-11-04T00:33:00.000-08:00

"K" in Iowa has been busy! In addition to the first gift she sent, gifts have now been received by "M" in Washington and "H" in Nebraska! They both received handmade, fabric gift bags filled with goodies. "H" received some fabulous beauty supplies and "M" received a necklace and pin cushion!

Weekly Gift Idea Roundup #2

2008-10-31T01:02:00.000-07:00

With input from readers, and gift givers/receivers, I have put together a list of gift suggestions for the week.

1. Send a friend a package of pink items and remind her to do her monthly self breast exams.
2. Send a friend a fun, canvas grocery bag to help them help save the earth.
3. Send a friend a sampler set of bath products, makeup, or mini-nail polishes.
4. Send an out of town, coffee-loving friend, a Starbucks mug featuring your city.

Gifted in Nebraska!

2008-10-31T00:45:00.000-07:00

"M" in Nebraska (our first gift recipient there) sent this picture and a note that read "My Thursday was perfectly made when I suddenly discovered a perfect and adorable turquoise and green bag full of goodies from Sephora and Etsy....Thank you so much for thinking of me, "K" in Iowa". And the kindness continues.....

Gift Received

2008-10-23T23:10:00.000-07:00

"K" in Iowa has received the gift of a cookbook from "M" in Washington! She said "I LOVE it and was so surprised. I will be passing on the kindness!!".

Weekly Gift Idea Roundup

2008-10-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

With input from readers, and gift givers/receivers, I have put together a list of gift suggestions for the week.

1. Send your favorite cook a new cookbook, with a nifty theme....healthy food, going green, food for new moms, etc.
2. Send a friend, that you know has a lot of holiday guests, a set of new towels. You can never have too many when you have overnight guests! If you don't know the color of his/her bathroom, send white...it goes with everything.
3. Send a friend a wall hanging, magnet, or mug with his/her favorite quote or saying on it.
4. Send a friend something from a collection they like...an ornament, figurine, or piece of pottery.
5. Send a friend some wrapping paper, ribbon, or note cards to help him/her get through the holiday season.
6. Pre-order a book for a friend, from his/her favorite author. Send him/her a note, with a bookmark, letting him/her know to expect it when it's released.

Feel free to send me your ideas. I will try and post a new list each week.

Gift!

2008-10-19T01:33:00.000-07:00

"B" in WA has received a gift!

The Kindness is Spreading!

2008-10-15T01:15:00.000-07:00

Gifts were received by "M" in Washington State and by "K" in Japan!

It worked!

2008-10-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

The first gift has been received by "A" in Georgia. Keep checking back to see where the next gift goes........

Recipients - What to do?

2008-10-06T05:16:00.000-07:00

What do I do when I receive a gift?

1. Be sure to thank the person that gave to you!
2. Email us at kindofsurprised (at) yahoo (dot) com and let us know from whom you received a gift, what your first name is, and where you live. Don't worry we won't publish your info other than a first initial and what state/country you are from!
3. Please feel free to include some info in your email about what you received, why you are thankful, and a picture if you wish. None of this is necessary, but periodically we will include some of this info on the blog, in hopes of encouraging others' kindness.
4. Mail or deliver a gift to someone you know, and include the instructions (we can send them to you if you don't have them).
5. Finally, check this blog often to see how your kindness has spread.

Now What?

2008-10-06T04:47:00.000-07:00

I have had the desire to start a chain of gift giving for quite a while now and I'm thrilled to finally get started. I am inspired by those that do random acts of kindness and while this is a similar concept, the acts of kindness here will not be random. I will be starting the chain, or rather a few chains, by sending gifts to a few friends, family members, and neighbors of mine. While they don't need to send things back to me, I will send notes encouraging them to continue the chain of kindness by each sending a gift to someone else. This blog will be used to show how many gifts are given and to what states and countries the kindness travels. It will hopefully serve as an inspiration to others to practice kindness in their daily lives to not only strangers, but those right in their own homes, communities, and address books. Thank you for taking the time to check us out and please stop by often to see what "kind" of world we can create.

Go!

2008-10-06T04:46:00.000-07:00

Let the kindness begin!