Be a friendly neighbour
The advantage of living in a brand new home is that everyone is in the same position – you don’t have to feel awkward about being the new neighbour on the street. If you’re looking for ideas of how to make friends with neighbours, the festive period offers lots of ways to connect.
If you love hosting, you could be a friendly neighbour and invite others living on your street over to your home for Christmas drinks and seasonal treats.
We know some streets go big with their Christmas décor and we love seeing Christmas decorations outside your homes. You could join forces with your neighbours to have a street display of festive lights and figures outside your homes.
Send neighbour Christmas cards
Facebook or WhatsApp groups and other apps are great ways of getting to know people in your area, but for a more personal Christmas message for neighbours, opt for a traditional card. If you’re yet to meet the people living near to you properly, you could hand deliver and introduce yourself, adding your mobile number in case they want to join a neighbour chat group. Alternatively, add your address or even personalise the card with a festive family photo to help them identify who the card is from.
Hand warmers will be welcomed by dog owners and parents trying to warm up after the school run. You could even buy their dog a new toy or some treats from Santa Paws. A gift for all of the family is a thoughtful, cost-effective option for those with children – perhaps a game, hot chocolate gift set or even a game made of chocolate for a double impact.
Christmas baked gifts for neighbours
Making Christmas baked gifts for neighbours can be fun for all the family. Children will love making gingerbread biscuits, from cutting out shapes with a cutter – a Christmas tree is a great alternative to the traditional gingerbread man – to decorating with icing and sweets. Little ones can also lend a hand with cutting out the pastry for mince pies or filling them, but perhaps don’t let them dust the tops with icing sugar! Older children could try decorating cupcakes as snowman using white fondant or buttercream and sweets or reindeer using chocolate icing, glace cherries and pretzels.
Don’t worry if your bakes aren’t quite worthy of a ‘Hollywood handshake’ – your neighbours are likely to appreciate the personal touch, particularly if the children have lent a hand. Home baked goods, still warm from the oven make a perfect Christmas gift for elderly neighbours.
Christmas may be considered the season of goodwill to all, but being neighbourly doesn’t have to end when the decorations come down. Read about how we build community spirit.
