Make Their Day: 101 Simple, Powerful Ways to Love Others Well

by Karen Ehman

You dream of making your presence really count in the lives of others, but you don't know where--or how--to start. You want to be remembered as a woman who scattered kindness to everyone she knew, but you feel like your busy schedule constantly gets in the way. In this practical and deeply touching guide--inspired by her book Reach Out, Gather In--popular author Karen Ehman gives you 101 actionable ideas you can implement today to truly make a difference in the lives of other people. Make Their Day is filled with creative ideas to connect with your family and friends on a deeper level throughout the year. This book will help you develop habits of kindness, reconnect with friends and family, and make encouraging people a priority. You'll be able to put these ideas into action in real time with everyone in your life--even if hospitality doesn't come naturally to you or you don't think you have time. Let's outshine the negativity and hatred in our world, and reach out to others with love, just as God intended.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Living, Inspirational, Relationships

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2021

About the author

Karen Ehman is a speaker, a New York Times bestselling author, a contributing writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today online devotions and a teacher in the First 5 Bible study app. She has written 21 books and Bible studies including Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All and the 2020 ECPA devotional book of the year Settle My Soul. She is a graduate of Spring Arbor University and serves as President-Elect of their Alumni Board of Directors. She has been featured on TODAY Parenting, Redbook.com, Foxnews.com, Crosswalk.com, YouVersion.com, and is a monthly columnist for HomeLife Magazine. Her passion is to help women live their priorities as they reflect the gospel to a watching world. Karen is married to her college sweetheart, Todd, and is the mother of six children: three biological and three in-laws by marriage—although she forgets which ones are which. She enjoys collecting vintage Pyrex kitchenware, cheering for the Detroit Tigers, and spending her days feeding the many people who gather around her mid-century dining table to process life and enjoy her county fair blue-ribbon winning cooking.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem! I absolutely love Karen Ehman’s writing, it’s always as if she’s right there talking with you! Putting this book together of ways to “Scatter Kindness”, as she says, was absolutely the best idea! I love all the ways that she shares to love on others, in all areas of your life! This will definitely be a book I reference often and use these new ideas of ways to reach out to others! This will help me to be more intentional and remember to keep my eyes open for someone I can scatter that kindness to! I received an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Simple ways of making people's lives better just by doing simple things! Such a quick read! Making choices daily to love others well and this book helps!

[Missy Haselby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Ehman didn’t disappoint. This was such a sweet, easy book. I love thinking of ways to bless others and this book really gives you unique ideas to do so. I highly recommend this sweet book for anyone looking to uplift, encourage and love others. A bright spot in today’s world. Grab your copy today!

[Tracye Goad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an incredibly quick read that left me smiling with some new ideas of how to bring some joy to someone. Though many of these ideas would be difficult to implement right now in pandemic shelter-in-place situations, they're great for when life goes back to a new normal or perhaps some could be modified. I especially loved the $10 date nights, $5 coffeehouse and the puzzle and seeds in the mail for our grands that live so far away.

[Bridget McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are plenty of sources to give you ideas of things to do to be kind... but this book goes further than that. The ideas challenge you to take it a bit deeper - and THAT makes all the difference in the world! It made me think about why I want to perform a particular kindness and what kind of heart-impact that can have on the recipient when it's more than 'just something nice to do.' The ideas are organized into different sections depending on level of relationship (for example around town; within your family; those far away; etc.) for a quick reference if needed. This would be a good book to keep on hand as well as a fabulous gifting idea to encourage others to "pay it forward!"

[Lauren Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm nearly finished with this book and want to encourage everyone to pick up a copy. I've not read it in order; rather, I've perused the topics and made note of different ways I can make a difference in the lives of others. These small acts of kindness really are simple and easy to perform, and can be incorporated into your daily routine... and they are easily adaptable, too! Ehman is thoughtful and compassionate, and her writing style draws the reader in. I feel like I"m having a cuppa sitting across from a good friend.

[Arletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen does an excellent job of giving helpful, practical suggestions of ways one can show love and appreciation to others. She breaks the book down into easy to find sections for neighbours, family, etc. There is something for everyone! This book would be especially helpful for those who struggle sometimes with coming up with practical ideas of how to show hurting people that they are loved.

[Jennie Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fangirl of Karen Ehman's since I read "Listen, Love, Repeat" years ago. What I loved so much about that book is how it put feet on the gospel. "Make Their Day" spurns us to action and provides 101 practical, feasible, precious ways to love others. In a weary world, these simple ideas are a beautiful way to lift spirits, encourage, and, most importantly, share Christ and His love. Even if a pandemic keeps us from doing a handful of the options right now, you won't help but be inspired by the suggestions in this book.

[Tracy Bolwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical and creative!!!
Just finished reading this quick little book of pick me ups! Chock full of beautiful and inspirational ideas to bless your family, friends, and community, Make Their Day will also make YOUR day. As someone who loves to encourage others, but doesn't always have all of the creative ideas to do so, Make Their Day was a great read. The book is easily divided into sections for family, friends, spouses, church staff, community, and holidays. Many of them can also be easily tweaked for your specific circumstance. In a time when kindness seems to be lacking, Karen Ehman offers some wonderful, practical ways to spread the seeds of kindess and have fun in the process.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you want to scatter more acts of kindness but struggle with a busy schedule? Or maybe you just aren't sure where to start? Make Their Day by Karen Ehman has 101 ideas for spreading kindness to people you know and those you don't know.

Make Their Day is divided in to eight chapters and an introduction. In the introduction, Ehman suggests instead of complaining about all the bad news that you hear every day, instead you "light a candle in the darkness" with acts of kindness (Matthew 5:16). The other chapters offer ideas for acts of kindness to different groups of people: In Your Circle of Friends, Within Your Own Family, Throughout Your Day and around the Town, Across the Miles or through the Screen, For Those Who Hurt or Need Help, Among the Household of Faith, On Holidays, Holy Days, or Just Because, and By Opening Your Home. In the back of the book, Ehman has included a few recipes and printables.

As a whole, I enjoyed Make Their Day. It was quick to read all the way through but it would also be easy to just pick and choose to read what you need at the time. Thee are some good ideas in this book that I haven't thought of before and there were some that I have done before. I liked that the way the book was organized. I especially liked that with the pandemic and restrictions in many places that there were several ideas don't require in person contact to work. In fact, I think there are many ideas that could really brighten someone's day during these difficult times. I do wish Ehman would acknowledge that there are those with food allergies or who must eat special diets as I think it is something to keep in mind. I would encourage you to ask about diet before doing a few of these ideas. Outside of that, I think Make Their Day is a great little book and think we could all put some of these ideas in action.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

[Sue Forry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make Their Day by Karen Ehman is a wonderful collection of 101 delightful ideas of ways you can encourage others. Included are ideas such as leaving out treats for your delivery people, putting together a gift basket of items related around a book, and so many other creative ways to encourage. Some might think of Karen as the "queen of hospitality" who delights with her simple and practical ideas of showing hospitality to others, wherever it may be!

In Make Their Day, Karen shares ideas to encourage friends, your own family, throughout your day and around your town, across the miles or through the internet, those who are hurting or in need, within the church, through holidays as well at in your home. Karen even offers some fun printables.

After reading Make Their Day, you will be inspired by not only the ideas Karen includes but inspired to think of other ideas as well! I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do. I heartily recommend Make Their Day!

[Robin Still · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is such a simple joyful read. In a world like today where one needs to show kindness and love to our neighbor this wonderful book offers such insightful and simple ways to do so. I have been blessed to read an advanced copy and it does not disappoint. Friends, grab a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, tea, whatever your drink of choice is and sit down to find fun, simple, happy ways of sharing God's love and kindness with your neighbor, teacher, friend, co-worker. You can make their day when they are having a day! Thank you Karen Ehman for always writing like you are sitting right next to me sharing about your day!

[Christina Vingerud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful book to have in your back pocket! So often we want to do something special for someone but feel like we’ve “done it all”. This book refreshes our heart and gives us new ideas! There is something for everyone, whether you want to provide a quick note to more of a care package. The scripture throughout the book offers nice reminders and is light, great for those in all walks of their faith journey! This is one you’ll reach for time and again!

[Julianne Harkleroad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book to reset your mind toward giving and serving others in this broken me me me world! 101 helpful ideas to fulfill and spark even more ways to love and serve those around you! Keep this book close and revisit often for a quick way to reset your mind, peruse when you need specifics or inspiration, or to copy the handy little recipes and tags in the back! Love that idea!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect book for our world today! This book gives easy ways to help make the world a little brighter one little act of kindness and one person at a time. No need to break the bank or worry about spending all day crafting or ordering supplies: these ideas helped me to feel like I was making a big difference in the lives of others and in return helped fill my heart with joy. Much needed and very nicely written.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to spread a little kindness, but aren't really sure how to go about it? Maybe it's out of your comfort zone? Well, this little treasure is full of simple and practical ways to love on those around you. It's a quick read and even includes some printables if you want to include them in your gifting. I'm sure I will return to it many times when I'm looking for some fresh ideas. A great resource! Thanks, Karen Ehman!

[Lisa Muck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! So many great ideas...some I’ve done before and some I want to try. Would make a great gift for anyone. What a great way to get to meet some of your neighbors by doing a act of kindness. So many times we are afraid to approach our neighbors, but who doesn’t love something yummy! Or the gift basket for a movie night...loved it!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have truly enjoyed reading this book. Karen gives simple and easy ideas for making someone’s day extra special. The book is divided into different sections by friends, family, people in the community, coworkers and church family and then gives different ideas that you can do to show that you care. This is a very easy read that is uplifting and encouraging!

[Rachael Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Ehman’s Make Their Day is chock full of ideas of ways to bless others. I loved the practical and creative ideas in this book. Additionally, the organization of the book makes it easy to navigate when looking for ideas of different groups of people...friends,family, those in your community, long distance, those who are hurting, etc. I highly recommend this book.

[Laurie Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Ehman books never disappoint me .
Make Their Day is a great , fun read full of ways to thoughtfully spread love and kindness to loved ones and friends ❤ In a time where we are distanced from so many let them know how much you care for them.
Make Their Day will help you spread love , joy and kindness .

[Lisa Rowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world needs more love and kindness and this book makes it so easy to put that truth into action! I love how the author splits the ideas into different sections and provides super easy (but impactful!) ways to make a difference in the lives of people today.

[Heather Britain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book because it helped melt away weariness within. While reading I felt home with the Holy Spirit, and was reminded what an automatic joy it is to bless others. The book is full of great ideas to start filling the world with kindness.

[Vickie Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Karen Ehman’s writing! It is always full of wisdom and practical things you can do to implement what she is writing about. It's like having conversation with a friend who gives really good advice. This book will be a book I reference and implement the ideas to reach out to others! I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Tina Forry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a timely book! It’s a great read. Can’t wait to order my hard copy so I can make some notes in it. Thanks For writing this book Karen. Wonderful ideas to be a blessing to others and on turn be blessed. I’ve already put a few of these into practice since reading the book.

[Jennifer H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book!! Especially now, we need to find small ways to be kind to one another. This books gives so many ways to show love to others!!!! I’ve written down several I am going to do and I’ve already done a few!! Get this book and spread love and kindness!! Our world needs it!! Thank you, Karen for writing this book!!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative, fun, and simple suggestions to spread a little kindness. Written with related scripture at the beginning of each section. Suggestions are transferable throughout the book. Spread a little kindness and brighten the day of anyone you interact with and in turn boost your own happiness!

[Beth Ogden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loving this book! It is full of wonderful ideas to spread love and kindness, two things desperately needed in our world right now. The ideas are simple and often no cost or very little cost. You just read an idea and go do it!

[EricandCrystal Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book that packs a big wow! Karen gives us very creative, yet practical, ideas for showing kindness to those around us. We all need those reminders from time to time. I am already putting several ideas from this book into practice!

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book Karen!! I loved all of the different ways to show love to people on random days.

[Angela Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen does it again! Her tips are so practical and helpful especially when you are out if ideas. Thankful for her insight.