[kilibry]

here's something i've been kicking around:

christmas is the most sto holiday that we have presently. however, from a polarized point of view, it's still kind of lacking, you know? you only give presents to people inside of your in-group, people who have rich friends get rich presents, people who have poor friends and family get poor presents, and the end-of-year shopping sprees also have the negative effect of fueling an overly consumeristic mindset in our culture. also, people say that stuff about "good will towards men, blah blah blah" but i see very few do anything about it.

so i started wondering what a more purely sto holiday would be like. and i basically get the image of a day outside, walking around (this would be easier in a city, i guess, since there are more people around) just helping people. preferably anonymously. like:

putting coins in payphones'/subway ticket machines'/vending machines' change trays

looking for people who may be lost and guiding them to their destination

buying gift certificates for restaurants or toy stores or something and giving them to people who look like they need a break or who have lots of children

buying a starbucks card, even just for five bucks or something, and asking the barista to give it to the next person after you (or third person, if you want to give yourself time to make your "escape")

going to playgrounds and burying quarters in the sand (not too deep!)

i imagine if somebody walks right up to someone to give them something, there will be strange looks and doubt as to your motives, so a little explanatory card might be in order, just to alleviate fear and suspicion for the receiving party.

any other suggestions?