Box of Sunshine

As a school counsellor we are often coming up with creative ways to spread happiness and make others feel good. I feel like it is part of my job to ensure everyone has a smile on their face (who said our job was easy?!?). We spend our days working as part of a team of parents and school staff all with a common goal, we have each child's best interest at heart. When a student is struggling we all work together to support them.

A student of mine was very sick and had to spend much of the school year at the hospital. I was able to visit him a few times and always brought with me messages from classmates, work (he requested it) and little things to make him smile. I was searching on pinterest for a unique gift idea when I came across a box of sunshine. All you need to put one together is a box, and anything they might like that is the color yellow or orange (think sunshine). Cut out a few paper sunbeams, print out a little note and you have yourself a box of sunshine! You can give this thoughtful gift to a friend, colleague, student... anyone who could use a smile! 

My student and his family still remember this thoughtful gift. I wish I had taken a picture of it but wasn't thinking to at the time. I will share with you some pinterest images as inspiration....

         

I filled my box of sunshine up with lots of small goodies from one of my favorite stores in the UK, Tiger. We had so much fun opening the bright colorful packages with lots of little fun games and toys (play dough, bouncy balls, jacks, a key chain, toy cars, etc). Not only did it make my student smile, this box of sunshine brightened his day and made him feel loved and he still remembers it! 

Does anyone in your life need some cheering up? What will you put in your box of sunshine?