We are used to remembering each other on special occasions – birthdays, Christmas or other festive moments. In the rush of everyday life, however, small, unexpected surprises often take a back seat or are forgotten altogether. This is only natural: special dates are marked in our calendars or reminded to us by social media platforms, where we connect virtually with friends, acquaintances and relatives. Digital greetings have also become the norm – they are fast, convenient and require almost no effort. Yet for the very same reason, they are easily forgotten, while a small, unexpected surprise on an ordinary spring day tends to stay in our memory much longer.
In Latvia, April is closely associated with spring cleanups – a time of activity in parks, gardens and homes. We rediscover longlost items, let go of things we no longer need and organise not only our surroundings, but also our thoughts. This period also reminds us of a simple truth: what has become unnecessary for one person can be very useful to someone else – for example, a jacket that has been hanging in the wardrobe unworn for years. In this way, we have the opportunity to help others by giving items a second life and surprising someone with something they have long needed or wished for.
“In spring, along with the desire to tidy up our surroundings, we invite people to think about how they can help others – for example, by donating necessary items to animal shelters or simply paying attention to those who receive less of it in everyday life,” says Nadežda Ježova, Marketing Manager at SmartPosti. “At the beginning of April, our team also joined a similar initiative by visiting the animal welfare organisation Ķepuķepā and delivering items needed by its residents.”
The animals living in shelters clearly demonstrate the true essence of happiness – it does not come from special circumstances, but from simple presence and care. “It is in moments like these that you realise what truly matters is not how much we give, but the fact that we remember someone at all,” says Gundega Bidere, Head of the animal welfare organisation Ķepuķepā.
From a sustainability perspective, passing on found or unused items is a far better solution than throwing them away or destroying them. For example, an old flower vase may be exactly what someone has been looking for to place in their newly furnished home, giving it a completely new meaning in a new space. Only in this way can we truly see how many things we no longer need ourselves can bring joy to others and positively change their day.
Such surprises do not only remain in memory – they become a value. What may seem like a small gesture to one person can mean far more to someone else than initially expected, especially to those who have not always had the opportunity to receive what they wished for. We tend to live in our own social bubbles, so it is natural that daily routines leave little room to think about how those outside of them are doing. Rather than focusing on why something is no longer needed by us, it is far more meaningful to think about who it could be useful for.
Sending parcels is not just a practical necessity – it is also a way to express care. “Sometimes a small, heartfelt surprise is enough to make someone’s day brighter. That is why we are declaring April 10 as Surprise Delivery Day, reminding people to delight one another more often, without a special reason,” says Nadežda. A public opinion survey conducted by SmartPosti in early March revealed that 34% of Latvians surprise people around them with something meaningful several times a year – the highest figure among the Baltic countries. “The price does not matter – it is the care behind the parcel that gives it its true value,” Nadežda emphasises.
The idea behind Surprise Delivery Day is very simple: to encourage people to pause for a moment and think about who they could pleasantly surprise. It is the small, unexpected gestures that tend to be remembered the longest.
To make surprising others even easier, on April 10, parcels sent to SmartPosti parcel lockers across Latvia can be shipped with a 50% discount off the regular price. Prepare your shipment via the selfservice site my.smartposti.lv and send it from your nearest SmartPosti parcel locker.