Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17, but you don't need to wait until then to do something kind. There are plenty of acts of kindness you can do any day of the year.

They don't have to be big things, either. Even small stuff adds up, and often it really is the little things in life that turn out to have the biggest place in people's minds and hearts when they look back on their life. Have you ever been the recipient of someone else's random act of kindness? How did you feel about it?

You probably noticed that one small act from a stranger can turn your entire day around and make it better and brighter. Do you want to be that day-changer for someone else? Even when you are on a tight budget, there are many different things you can do to make a difference. Plenty of options are even free, and some are things you might not have thought about. The world needs more kindness. Here are seven ways you can add to the joy in the hearts of others.

1) Send a Care Package to a Nursing Home

You don't have to spend a lot to touch the lives of the elderly. You can write notes and letters, or draw, paint, or color pictures. Add a few small items from the dollar store, as many seniors really need the essentials and don't have a lot of money to buy them. Some of them are completely alone, with no family to check on them, and you can really brighten their day by sending them something colorful and telling them they matter and they haven't been forgotten.

2) Plant Trees or Flowers for Your Neighbors 

Whether you help your neighbors plant in their yard, or you plant in your own yard for the beauty it brings to the neighborhood, both are acts of kindness. Helping a neighbor in need matters, and when you make your own yard look lovely people will get joy from looking at the colorful display, especially in the spring and summer months.

3) Pick Up Litter in Your Neighborhood

There's nothing like making your community a cleaner and more beautiful place to help others feel good about living there. Especially if you have older neighbors who may not be able to clean up the block as easily, you can pick up papers, discarded items, and trash left behind by people passing through your area. It's a no-cost way of making your neighborhood an even better place to live.

4) Help Outdoor Workers Be More Comfortable

Some inexpensive, store-brand bottles of water or a big, warm pot of coffee are all that's needed to help workers in your community feel appreciated. If you live in a hot climate, it can be hard for people to work outdoors in the summertime. You can help them stay cool. If it's very cold where you live, consider brewing some coffee and buying disposable cups to help workers stay warm. Comfort can go a long way when people are working outdoors.

5) Tell Someone What You Like/Love About Them

If you haven't mentioned to your sister how much she means to you lately, or you keep seeing a stranger at the coffee shop with a great smile or a clothing style you'd like to emulate, stop and tell them. You don't have to make a big deal about it, because that can make someone uncomfortable. But tell people they're important, and share what you like or love about them. They'll carry that compliment with them for a long time.

6) Leave Letters or Words of Encouragement for Strangers to Find

Write short notes or longer letters on small pieces of paper, and leave them for others to find. Write your waiter a napkin note, or leave words of encouragement on your co-worker's car (anonymously, of course). If you see someone struggling and trying hard, make sure you give them a little bit of encouragement. People underestimate the power of a few kinds words, and how much they can really mean to someone who may feel that no one cares or sees their difficulties.

7) Put Money in a Vending Machine for the Next Person to Use

 A candy bar or bag of chips out of a vending machine only costs a dollar or so, but it can put a smile on the face of the next person who comes along and gets it for free, instead. Leaving money in a vending machine is a very inexpensive way to give a stranger an unexpected treat. They may even be inspired to leave money for the next person, or take their free item back to the office to give to a coworker or the homeless man on the corner. You can change a lot of days with that dollar.