It’s often during the holiday season that we remember that we should prioritize our family and friends, instead of furiously running the rat race, lured by the prospect of getting more cheese (literal or metaphorical, you choose).
But the blunt truth is that 2022 has been one of the worst years in recent memory. And many people are celebrating the holidays under the shadow of war, illness, and poverty. It’s difficult times like these that we need something to hold on to more than ever—a reminder that there is hope and love and goodness out there in the world.
Our team here at Bored Panda has collected this list of the most uplifting and heartwarming Christmas posts to remind you that kindness is all around us. Scroll down and prepare to have your faith in humanity restored!
We got in touch with British comedy writer Ariane Sherine, the author of ‘The How of Happy,’ for a chat about prioritizing our loved ones, the importance of giving them our undivided attention, and learning how to be kind. You’ll find our full interview with her below, dear Pandas.
Meanwhile, for some more cheerful and soul-healing Xmas stories, you can look through our earlier posts here (2021) and here (2020). Check them out when you’ve enjoyed this one to the fullest.
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This Man Pulled 8 People Out Of A Burning Bus On Christmas Eve
Hero! It looks like he suffered some bad burns to his legs in the process, I hope he had a full recovery
The Amazon Driver Who Delivered My Package At 6 PM On Christmas Eve
What An Incredible Christmas Miracle
My heart goes out to OP, that they have to watch a child “disappear” to Alzheimer’s. We lost my grandma to it and that was bad enough.
For us, Christmas is about giving our loved ones the affection and attention that they deserve. Human beings are very social creatures, and acts of kindness are our bread and butter: it’s the glue that holds us all together. Without altruism and self-sacrifice, there would be no civilization as we know it. And without gifts to show how much we care, it would be far harder to build trust.
Bored Panda reached out to writer and happiness expert Ariane for her opinion on how to focus on what truly matters in life. We were interested to get her take on how we can remember to show how much we love our nearest and dearest throughout the year, and not just when Christmas rolls around.
“It's difficult as life often gets in the way. But I try to do something nice for my daughter each week,” the author of ‘The How of Happy’ opened up to Bored Panda. Some of the small, kind things she does is buy her daughter her fave chocolate and leave her a nice message on their message boards.
Our Star This Year
Cancer came fast and aggressive.
He had lymphoma. It spread fast causing him to go to liver failure.
Couldn't do surgery, liver couldn't handle chemo.
He was only 4…
He was the best boy.
It will be quieter this Christmas without him….
Dogs are family
Our golden lab made it to almost 13 years with lymphoma and was such a trooper with chemo. B4D0E07E-7...9-jpeg.jpg 
I'm so so sorry. We lost two this year - one was a senior we adopted and only lasted a few months. She never got to have a Christmas and it breaks my heart. But we did adopt a puppy after she passed and it's his first now! All our love ♡
Oh this one hurts my heart so much. My 18 year old beautiful pit died last year right before the holidays, it makes everything just a little grayer. She was the goodest girl.
18 is amazing for a pibble ❤️. You must've treated her like a queen.
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I also lost a dog this year and I miss her so much today. This post hit me right in the feels.
The goodest boy! He's enjoying lots of snacks, and playing with his friends.
He may have only had 4 years on this Earth, but he had 4 loved filled years with you.
I totally feel this. i had to watch my dog die this summer because she was getting to old and had to be put down. your right, dogs ARE family for sure.
I'm very sorry you lost your friend. It's so difficult. Many blessings to you.
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Put one of our dogs down last week. She had stomach cancer but was a brave girl. Still begged for human food and loved to go on walks until she couldn't anymore. We miss you Lu.
I am so sorry. I know how much it hurts to lose such a beloved friend. The empty space they leave behind is palpable. I'm sure Lu knew she was loved and cherished, and I hope that gives you some comfort until your heart heals.
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They surely are. Love and hugs to everyone who has lost a furry family member this year
My dog was 2. He had a stroke. We think he had a brain tumor, he died last February... A month after my cat who was 18 years old died. My heart goes out to you OP, I understand your pain. 💔💔💔
My deepest sympathy for your loss. In the quiet remember how you made him happy and he you. Your family is your family 4 or 2 legged. Our little girl (14) passed in Aug and Christmas is tough but we know we her family. ❤️
I am so sorry for you. Our beloved dogs are NEVER with us long enough.
I'm so sorry for your loss but so happy you had your bestest boy as long as you did. 💛
I lost a dog to cancer too. She had a lump in her mouth preventing her from eating and making it hard to breathe. We had to put her down...
We lost our bernese Mt dog mix to cancer 1 month after she was diagnosed. And the her "sister" 3 days later. My heart has never been the same.
my dog just got diagnosed with this , and this made me cry and hug him tight
I'm so sorry. I had to put down my Chihuahua last year. It was a terrible day, he had kidney cancer and advanced heart failure. It was all sudden and I feel terrible that I didn't know sooner, I just hope he wasn't in pain before we put him down. I got a puppy in December and he has almost the same personality as the Chihuahua. It' makes me so happy and sad at the same time when my pup acts like that old man. The Chihuahua would jump and bark for his food and my pup jumps for his food. The Chihuahua was grumpy lol and definitely had old man face, so does my pup. I miss him, rest in peace Chip.
Mine too. She also has lymphoma with tumors on her leg that bleed - chemo isn't working. It's so hard changing her bandages every 12 hours through my tears. Her blood work shows she's healthy in every other way which makes this even more cruel. Yes, dogs are family and please accept my condolences. What a beautiful boy.
Mine too. She also has lymphoma with bleeding tumors on her leg that won't respond to chemo. It's so hard to change her bandages every 12 hours through my tears. Her blood work shows she's healthy in every other regard - which makes this makes this even more cruel. Yes, dogs are family and please accept me condolences. What a beautiful boy.
Just lost a youngish lab the same way, on fast and strong. I miss our Annie. What a great way to remember a four-legged child
This hits home and the eyes. Friends of mine lost their boder collie right before Christmas as well at only 3 years old. Of course Christmas was not a merry one. He was the best boy and we all miss him so much!
Oh my heart. What a good boy, run free in the sunshine now, with no pain. You were loved your whole life.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My boy’s cancer gave me 6 months to the day to enjoy time with him and take tons of pictures. Great looking boy 😢
Four years is NOT enough! But SO glad you had those precious times together! What a beautiful looking dog; so glad he had a loving family! I understand your heartbreak.
Dogs are family, the ones I loved and lost, are in my heart forever, all adopted !!!
That quote “I loved you your whole life. I’ll miss you for the rest of mine.” is appropriate. They love unconditionally, they’re fur babies. I’m so sorry for your loss. It will take time, he was lucky to have been loved by you while he was here. I hope if you haven’t already you’ll be able to open your home to another pup to be blessed by the love in your big heart.
It's the worst to lose a pet and especially soul destroying near Christmas. Dec 5 2019 my beloved by all bunny passed away so suddenly after being attacked by an animal in his garden. That Christmas was the worst I've ever had and I couldn't get into the festive spirit. Miss him dearly, never stop loving him.
So sorry for your loss. Dogs, cats, budgies, horses. They are all family and their passing is deeply felt.
Many hearts feel your sadness. Our pets are still special people in different species and bodies.
All love to you, friend. So so sorry for your loss. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤️🩹❤️🩹
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful tribute to your good boi.
My sister lost her boy just before Thanksgiving and her girl on the 23rd. My heart is breaking for her. 💔
I adopted a 6 year old baby from the local shelter. She was picked up as a stray, but had been abused, she didn't know how to dog at all. She was scared of people, of every little noise, everything. But she learned what it meant to be safe and loved with us. I'd had her about three and a half years when she suddenly had a seizure. Turned out it was Lymphoma, vet gave her about 4-6 weeks. She lived well for the next four months, until New Year's Day when she had another seizure. She went down hill fast after that, and on the night of Jan 15, she told me she was ready to get her wings. Four years later, it still hurts my soul, but I also know I gave her four good years of love and security and consistency.
I lost my baby December 6th this year and this just a beautiful and heartfelt remembrance.
We did a similar thing this year but without a photo as sadly had 2 dogs pts within 2months of each other. 1 of lung cancer and one of old age. Miss you loads sky and bella😢
I'm so so sorry about the loss if your beautiful fur baby. I lost my fur kid 2 weeks before this Christmas. Heart broken. Feel your pain, my condolences.
To everyone who lost a dear pet: I know what that pain is like, and my wish for you is that you feel better soon and to let you know that I'm praying for you.
My beloved kitty died from lymphoma last year. Still hurts. I am glad you had four years with your goodest boy. I know he will always be in your hearts.
I Was Orphaned Early This Year. My Teacher Is Starting The Adoption Process, And Here's An Ornament She Got For Our New Family
Kiwi Is Cancer And Cone Free For Christmas
It’s the intent and emotions behind the gift rather than the physical gift itself that’s important.
“It doesn't have to be an extravagant gift or gesture—something as small as a kindly note can lift their spirits. Also, pay attention to what they say and do and ask them about it. 'How did the concert go?' or, 'Is your aunt feeling better now?' shows that you care and listen to what they say,” Ariane said that our time and attention are invaluable. They’re what matters, not the price tag or the wrapping paper.
My First Boyfriend And Our First Christmas Tree
In New Zealand, The Police Are Offering Free Gift Wrapping For Christmas This Year
Me Dying Of Cancer Over The Spring vs. Me Happy And Healthy Spending Christmas With My Beautiful Family
We also wanted to understand why people give out gifts at all. Writer Ariane was kind enough to illuminate this for us.
“It's a physical demonstration of our love and shows that we care about them. But again, gifts don't have to be expensive—you can give the gift of time and effort instead,” she told Bored Panda.
My Wife Had To Leave For A Business Trip For Six Weeks, And I Remodeled Her Room As A Christmas Surprise. I Don’t Have Anyone Else To Share It With Until She Comes Back
Bought A Machine For Christmas, Never Sewed Before So I’m Pleased With The Outcome
My Wife And I Don't Have Kids Yet, So We Take Our Dog Out To Look At The Christmas Lights. He Absolutely Loves It
“So you can make cards, a photo book, or fill a jar with scraps of paper containing happy memories or loving sentiments. Often these homemade gifts will mean more to the recipient than lavish presents,” she explained what we can do if we feel like we can’t come up with any original ideas for good gifts.
My 14-Year-Old Son Built This Coffee Table For His Sister And Her Boyfriend As A Christmas Gift
Family Has An Outdoor Gathering For Christmas That I Can't Join (I Have Covid). My Niece Really Doesn't Want Me To Be Alone And Has Stayed By My Window For The Past 45min
Pure Joy
Finally, Bored Panda asked Ariane about how someone might start to learn how to be kind and charitable if they’re unsure of where to start.
“Like Ebenezer Scrooge? I think you need three ghosts to come and visit you on Christmas Eve!” she quipped, adding that it’s best to take small steps.
“Maybe start with cards, then graduate to gifts and gestures. But one of the greatest gifts you can give is truly listening to people. Just giving them your time,” the author of ‘The How of Happy,’ said.
7 Years Ago, My Mental Health Was In A Dark Place After A Friend Kicked Me Out Of Their House. 7 Years Later, I'm Sober, In Active Recovery, And Have My First Christmas Tree
Merrymaking With The Family Merry Christmas From West Oakland To You And Your Family
This Is So Wholesome, We Need More People Like This
“Maybe invite them round, make them a pot of their favorite tea and biscuits, and have a catchup? And then, if they invite you back to theirs, bring a thoughtful gift you know they'll love,” Ariane said how we can lay the groundwork for a long-lasting, solid relationship.
My Boyfriend Bought Me Art Supplies For Christmas, But I've Never Painted Before. I Know This Needs A Lot Of Work, But I'm So Happy With My First Ever Painting
I Adopted A Family This Christmas. They Couldn't Afford A $12 Matchbox Car For Their Son. When I Saw Their Car Had Bald Tires And Missing Lugs, I Decided To Help Them Out Too
This Christmas Tree Farm Has Newfies That Will Cart Your Tree To Your Car For You
Previously, Bored had spoken to priest and psychologist Dr. Fraser Watts, about the spirit of giving.
He explained that if we ever happen to receive a gift we’re not entirely happy with, we ought to imagine what our loved ones felt when choosing or making it. We should value the effort they put in, not the actual physical thing.
Gnomes I Made As Gifts For Family From My Late Father-In-Law's Shirts. The Man Loved Christmas And Plaid, So
My Son Is The Real Life Version Of The Book He Got For Christmas
He is so gorgeous, he should have his own book. And, his little paws are very darling!
My Friend Joe Made Me A Wooden Christmas Tree As My Gift For Christmas. My Heart Is So Full
Meanwhile, during an earlier interview, Vanessa King, the Head of Psychology at ‘Action for Happiness,’ told Bored Panda that people keep themselves happy when they go out of their way to help others.
What’s more, there’s an evolutionary basis for altruism. When we’re kind to eat other, we build trust and maintain our social relationships with other members of the group. Meanwhile, our biology rewards us for this. “When we do things for others, it activates the reward center in the brain, so when we give a gift, it feels the same as receiving a gift,” she explained.
Every Year My Parents Recreate The Christmas Card Our Friends Send Them Of Their Kids, Here's Last Year's
Christmas 2020, Battling Lymphatic Cancer vs. Christmas 2021, Celebrating 8 Months In Remission. Yet Smiling In The Face Of Life And Death
Local Supermarket Giving Away All Its Unsold Christmas Veg For Free To Cut Down On Food Waste
As we're covered recently on Bored Panda, gifts aren't essential for happy and healthy relationships. Though, if you're with someone who places a lot of importance on them, you can use the act of gift-giving as a way to show that you care about them and that you understand what they value.
Far more important than all of this, however, is helping the people you care about feel loved, understood, appreciated, wanted, and respected.
I Cooked Christmas Dinner For Me And My Wife. After Really Struggling With Chronic Pain And Depression This Felt Like A Huge Achievement
My Parents Finally Accepted My Name Change After Three Years. They Got Me A Necklace With My New Name On It For Christmas
The Wife's Christmas Present Arrived Early. This Is Appa
How are you celebrating the holidays this year, dear Pandas? Did you find the presents that you wanted underneath the Christmas tree? What are your plans this jolly weekend? Tell us a bit about it all in the comments. Merry Christmas!
Every Year We've Taken A Cousins' Christmas Photo Since We're Kids. I Have Covid But Refused To Miss It
My Family Has Tree Ornaments For Pets We Have Had In The Past 10 Years. My Mom Says It's So They Can Still Join Us On The Holidays
I Saved The Flowers From My Grandma’s Funeral Service, Pressed Her Favorites, And Put Them Inside Of Photo Frame Keychains For Her Daughters And Husband For Christmas
I've Been Struggling With Mental Health For Some Time. A Friend Of Mine Gifted Me A Self-Made Advent Calendar With 24 Selfcare Tasks To Complete Each Day Till Christmas
My Grandma Is The One That Got Me Into Video Games, And For Christmas This Year She Absolutely Killed It. I Love You Nana
My Mam Still Does My Old Room Up Like This When I Visit For Christmas. I'm 33 Years Old
Christmas Is A Day For Cheer, No Matter Your Circumstances
A Black Santa At My Local Walmart
My Grandparents Are Still Using The Star They Bought From A Gas Station, For Their First Christmas Together Over 55 Years Ago. Love Them So Much
My Dog Hates Getting Rain/Wind In His Eyes, So My Dad Got Him Goggles For Christmas For When They Go Hiking
My Mom Has Been Working From Home Due To Covid And She’s Always Joked That The Dogs Are Her New Bosses. So For Christmas, I’m Printing These Out To Frame For Her Office
I Made A First Christmas Ornament For My Daughter And Son-In-Law
This is beautiful, I feel so sad when I read all the stories about horrible in-laws and what people have to endure for the rest of their lives just because they married the person they love
My Daughters Got Their Christmas Present A Little Early. Meet Freyja
My Cat Got A Christmas Card From The Kids Across The Street
My Dog Is Happy With His New Christmas Present
My Mom Loves Yellow Ochre And Van Gogh. I Painted This And Gave It To Her For Christmas
This Is The Same Man That Once Made A 10-Foot Tall Star Covered In Christmas Lights That He Mounted To The Roof Of The House Growing Up. This Is Very On-Brand For Him
This Morning I Was Able To Surprise My Husband With A Special Christmas Gift
My Daughter's Boyfriend Just Showed Me What His Christmas Surprise For Her Is Going To Be
Got Grandpa An Upgrade For Christmas. i7 11700k, 1050ti. He's Been Running XP On A Pentium III, 667mhz, For Almost 20 Years Now
Note: this post originally had 140 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Please do not give pets as gifts. Too many end up at shelters after the fun wears off..
I'm hoping the pets were well thought out and only the adoption itself was timed for Christmas. My son got to adopt a kitten for Christmas, but adding another pet to out family was something I decided on months ago.
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I opened up my present to see a hand pan (instrument) song book, I don't have a hand pan though.... Until I opened up my other present next to me. Definitely in order 🤧
Please do not give pets as gifts. Too many end up at shelters after the fun wears off..
I'm hoping the pets were well thought out and only the adoption itself was timed for Christmas. My son got to adopt a kitten for Christmas, but adding another pet to out family was something I decided on months ago.
Load More Replies... I opened up my present to see a hand pan (instrument) song book, I don't have a hand pan though.... Until I opened up my other present next to me. Definitely in order 🤧
