31 Ways to Serve Others in May

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Want to know some simple but creative ways to serve others in the month of May? We are going to show you how easy it is to do something nice for someone else, and bring people together, without a lot of effort on your part.

May is such a beautiful month as those April showers are bringing in the May flowers.  What a great time to serve others before the craziness of summer begins. 

May is also an exciting month, as school is finishing up, along with all the afterschool programs.  Some people call it “May-vember”, because it can be as busy as November with all the recitals, tournaments, lessons, and everything else finishing up.  

May is a great month to take some time to think of simple ways you can serve others.  We are going to show you some of the easiest things you can do in May to help others feel needed and create a sense of belonging and purpose for yourself and others. 

This is a post all about ways to serve others in the month of May. 

Click here to download 31 Ways to Serve Others in May

1. Give flowers to a loved one or honor a school principal. 

   • A spring tradition that started back in the 1800s, is when people would mark the first of May by hanging baskets of flowers or sweets on neighbors’ doorknobs, knock on the door, and then run away before they could be discovered. Try it out, and while you are at it, get something special to thank a principal for guiding your children’s academic success. 

2. Show your appreciation for teachers.

   • Teacher Appreciation is in May, and what a great time to thank your kid’s teachers for putting up with your kids for the last nine months.  This can be as simple as having your child write a note or draw a picture for their teacher, to purchasing their favorite drink or candy bar, or getting them some classroom supplies. Check out our post HERE on teacher appreciation ideas.

3. Go on a bike ride with a group of friends.

   • • This is such an easy activity to set up, and it helps you get outside, get some exercise, and connect with your friends. 

    

4. Pray for others. “May the force be with you.”

   • National Day of Prayer is in May.  When you pray for someone else, not only does it bring you closer to your Savior, but it also creates room in your heart to care for others on a deeper level.  Those that you are praying for will most likely never know that you are praying for them, but it still can bring you closer to them, as they feel your love. 

5. Say kind words to everyone you see and meet today.

   • Saying kind words to everyone is such a simple thing, but will get your mind thinking of others, and less on your own problems.  Your thoughts will be focused on kind things to say, and push aside negative thoughts. 

6. Send a thank you to a nurse.

   • National Nurses Day is in May.  Send a letter, a text, or an email to a nurse who has helped you or someone you love in the past, or is currently still helping you.  It would be a friend or family member who is a nurse.  Can’t think of someone? Go into a hospital and deliver encouraging words to the first nurse you see

7. Turn lemons into lemonade and share with a friend.

   • National Lemonade Day is in May.  Make some lemonade, or grab some at the store, and take it to a friend’s house.  What a simple way to make someone feel important and loved. 

8. Donate to the red cross and enjoy a coke.

   • National Coke Day and World Red Cross Day are in May.  Donate some blood and then grab a coke to keep up your glucose levels. 

9. Honor a hero in your life.

   • Who is your hero? Is there someone in your life who you admire, or who has helped you out significantly? Let them know that they are your hero.  Make them something, write them a note, give them a call.  Show them how much they mean to you. 

10. Help someone clean their room or house.

    • National Clean your Room day is in May, and it is so much more fun to clean someone else’s room than your own, so use this as an opportunity to serve someone else.

11. Help serve food to the hungry.

    • There are many people who are struggling to put food on their table.  You can make a huge difference in their life.  Serving others who are less fortunate can also help you appreciate the things that you DO have.

12. Go help or honor a spouse of an active duty military person. 

    • National Military Spouse Appreciation Day is in May, so take some time to do something nice for a military spouse.  Recognize the burdens they carry and offer a listening ear, or be a friend they can count on.

13. Babysit for a couple so they can go on a date.

    • National Babysitter’s Day is in May.  What a great way to serve someone, to give them a night out without kids.  It’s easy, free, and such a great service to parents with little ones.  

14. Send love to your mother or a mother figure(s) in your life.

    • Mother’s Day is in May, so make sure and serve your mother, who has served you your whole life.  This can be a phone call, something homemade, or a nice gift, just anything to show her she is loved and appreciated. 

15. Spend time with your family and make some chocolate chip cookies.

    • National Chocolate Chip Day is in May.  Some of my best memories are making chocolate chip cookies with my mom, or with my own children.  Create memories, and then deliver the cookies, for even more service. Or melt the chocolate and dip your favorite snacks in it. 

16. Plan a BBQ with your neighbors for today.

    • National barbeque Day is in May, so head to your favorite BBQ restaurant with friends or family, or turn on the grill and host a fun get together with delicious food. 

17. Honor a student who is graduating this month.

    • Whether you know someone who is graduating from high school, or college, let them know that you are proud of them.  Send them a card, throw them a party, or send them a text congratulating them. 

18. Go visit some relatives and serve them by doing their dishes.

    • National No Dirty Dishes Day is in May.  If your relatives are anything like me, their sink may be full of dishes, and would really appreciate someone stepping in to help. 

19. Throw a pizza party with some new friends.

    • National Pizza Party Day is in May. Celebrate by inviting others to share a fun night at a pizzeria, or make your own pizzas at home, or order some pizza and play some games. 

20. Organize care packages to be sent to service members or for their families.

    • Want to know how you can support our troops, even if you don’t know anyone serving in the military?  Check out THIS link for organizations where you can donate money, or order care packages for our troops.

21. Get to know new friends and food from different cultures. Organize a culture night.

    • Cinco de Mayo is in May.  Throw a celebration and immerse yourself in the music, food, traditions, and cinema of another culture.  

22. Be kind to yourself by celebrating #BeingYouDay.

    • Being You Day is celebrated by people all over the world on May 22 and simply invites you to celebrate being you. Make a list of things that are different about you, what you are grateful for, and what helps you relax. Discover what it means to be you.

23. Share some taffy with people you admire.

    • National Taffy Day is in May.  What a fun holiday to celebrate with others.  You can invite people over for taffy, or drop some off at their door.  

24. Honor your brother(s). Plan a scavenger hunt with a nice treasure at the end.

    • National Brother’s Day and National Scavenger Hunt Day are in May.  Who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt?  Celebrate your brother(s) by putting on a scavenger hunt just for them. Doesn’t matter if they are two years old or 70 years old, it is sure to put a smile on their face.  

25. Support missing children’s organizations.

    • National Mission Children’s Day is in May.  This is a day dedicated to encouraging parents to make child safety a priority.  Go HERE to support one of the organizations. 

26. Make paper airplanes with friends and family and see whose plane flies the farthest.

    • National Paper Airplane day is in May.  Sometimes it doesn’t feel like service when you are doing silly activities like making paper airplanes, but just spending time with your friends or family is a great service.

27. Provide grape popsicles for all the neighbor kids who are outside playing near your home.

    • National grape popsicle day is in May, so head to your freezer and make someone’s day with a frozen treat. 

28. Invite guests over for some hamburgers.

    • National Hamburger Day is in May.  Whether you get out the grill, or stop at a drive through, your guests will be excited about free food. 

29. Visit your loved ones’ graves with flowers.

    • Memorial Day is in May, so take some time to think about those you have passed on.  Stop by their grave with a windmill, a stuffed animal, or some beautiful flowers.  Talk about their life and keep their memories alive. Honor those who died while serving in the military.  

30. Do a craft with grandkids or other family members.

    • National creative day is in May, so take some time to plan and create a craft with someone else. 

31. Smile at everyone you see today.

    • National Smile Day is in May, so pick a day and do your best to smile at every single person you see.  Sometimes all it takes is a smile, to brighten someone’s day. 

There are so many things going on in May, but it doesn’t take long to do something nice for someone else.  Click HERE for a free printable with our list of 31 Ways to Serve Others in May.  Let us know how many you get done this month, or if you finish them all!  Let’s inspire the world, one service project at a time.  Let’s serve! 

This post was all about 31 Ways to Serve Others in the Month of May.

Click here for our free printable: 31 Ways to Serve Others in May