6 ways to be kind with your Virgin Points

We all know how good it feels when someone is kind to us, but did you know there are scientific benefits to being kind? If we’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s that you never know what someone is going through, so being kind - either with words, gestures or actions - is an easy win for both giver and receiver. 

Luckily there is an entire day to spread kindness, and if you have some Virgin Points to spare this Random Acts of Kindness Day (February 17th), we’ve got some inspiration to help light up someone’s life on that day or any other day of the year. 

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Good causes 

At Virgin Red we know that there are so many different causes which are important to our members, so we've joined up with numerous charities so that you can contribute to a cause that is close to your heart. Donating Virgin Points to a charity that is making a difference is a good place to start if you want to contribute to a cause you care about. There are several options on Virgin Red, from Air Ambulances UK (1,000 points) and Mind (1,000 points) to Carbon Engineering (5,000 points) and Tommy’s (1,000 points).

Elsewhere LGBT Foundation (1,000 points) focuses on helping LGBT people increase their knowledge and self-confidence to help improve and maintain their health and wellbeing, while The Edinburgh Food Project (1,000 points) provides emergency food and supplies to people in need in Scotland’s capital. 

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Days/Nights out 

If your version of kindness is getting yourself and/or a plus one out of the house and into some fun experiences, the opportunities via Virgin Red are endless. 

Like musicals? Check out & Juliet (48,000 points), a take on what could’ve happened if Juliet didn’t die at the end of Shakespeare’s classic and her life was soundtracked by the man responsible for Britney’s ‘...Baby, One More Time’. Prefer something more classic? Book a traditional afternoon tea for two (6,250 points). Want to get competitive? Go for a game at All Star Lanes (11,000 points) retro bowling before tucking into a two-course American-style meal. Fancy surrounding yourself with over 300 historic buildings and gardens? Check out The National Trust. 

What’s your poison?

Gifting someone a bottle of their favourite tipple is never a bad idea, and Virgin Red has an option for every taste. If you love a brew-ski but would rather avoid the alcohol content, Freestar makes award-winning beer in a variety of tasty flavours (5,500 points). The purveyors over at Virgin Wines are known for their expansive collection, but a perfect gift option is the box gift set in white (6,250 points) and red (6,250 points) wine variations. 

And if a friend was one of many who took up cocktail-making during lockdown, a bottle of Distil 31 Goose Neck London Gin is a must for their cabinet (5,500 points). 

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Share self-care  

Self-care comes in many forms and there’s never a bad way to take some time for yourself or gift a loved one with something that’ll make them feel good. Seilich products are made from handpicked Scotland wildflowers, and this gift set (4,100 points) contains a wild rose and mallow face mist and moisturising lotion with a delicate scent that warms the heart. 

Or you can share a positivity boost via a 21-day programme (12,000 points) from THEENK Tea that can calm the mind and nourish the body. Packed with Ayurveda inspired teas, artisan pralines, a heavenly scented candle and a raw amethyst crystal, they’ll soon be on their way to finding their nirvana.

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Send a little something

Receiving an unexpected parcel can be thrilling, and that’s a surefire way to brighten someone’s day *and* pop some Virgin Points in your account. Send hand-tied luxury boutiques from Appleyard Flowers, let someone know you appreciate them with a card or gift from Moonpig, or give something unique via notonthehighstreet.com.

Learn a new skill

At this time of year, many people are trying to learn new things but finding the time, energy and motivation to do so is the hard part, so help a loved one by using your Virgin Points to set them up with an online course.

Loungewear has become the default style as most choose to put comfort first, and 14,600 points could help making your own loungewear become a reality.  Run by Arkdefo, you can attend classes at your own pace and watch tutorials over and over so it’ll be easy to get the hang of the techniques. You’ll create a t-shirt and top with a belt, a hoodie and hoodie dress and a pair of relaxed trousers with deep pockets. 

In 2020 an estimated 30 million people attempted to learn a new language, and for 6,250 points you can access an online New Skills Academy course introducing you to another language. Your class will be taught by an industry expert, starting with the basics of the alphabet right through to conversational topics.

The Small Print: Rates correct as at date of publication. All offers are subject to specific terms and conditions. Please see individual offer pages for current points rates and specific terms.

Find out more about Virgin Red, the new rewards club from Virgin, right here.