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Lisa our resident fine living expert answers your questions each Thursday. Submit a question here.
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A reader recently posted this question on my blog after reading the post, “How to Make a Welcome Kit for a New Neighbor“… read below.
We recently moved and were thrilled to have one of our neighbors bring us cookies with a card with information about their family and contact numbers. What would you suggest for the new family in the area to take over to get to know their new neighbors?
~Heather
Food/Snacks
I still think that there is nothing like food to “break the ice” with someone. So, if you are moving in from another state or country consider buying a favorite snack from your town or state. Buy a few so that you are able to give generously to your neighbors located on either side or above and below you. For example, if you were moving from Pennsylvania you could bring some Hershey’s signature chocolate or if you were moving from New Orleans, pralines may be a good idea.
Popcorn
Buy several microwavable popcorn packets and tie each one with colorful string. Attach a business card-sized note that says, “I thought we would pop in to introduce ourselves”. This simple gesture is sure to be an ice breaker.
Seeds
Depending on where you are moving to, flower seeds can be an inexpensive and easy way to impress your new neighbors. Buy several seed packets of your favorite native or regional flower and hand deliver them to your new neighbors. Do your research. Be sure to determine whether the plant will grow in your new climate ahead of time. For example, blue bonnets are native to Texas but may do fine growing in Virginia too. Remember to be warm, be friendly and enjoy your new neighbors!
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Lisa is a pharmacist turned fine living/travel writer & founder of The Domestic Life Stylist, following her passion for all things food, family and travel. Get her massive freebie guide: 15 Healthy Pantry Staples to Make Impressive Meals & Snacks + Bonus Recipes by visiting her blog.
The popcorn idea is so creative!
I enjoyed learning some great tips because we’ve lived in our “new” home for almost 5 years & don’t know hardly any of our neighbors. Thanks for the great ideas!
Great unique tips, I agree that its easier to break the ice with food!
I enjoyed this idea and would wish that it would be effective and successful.
You don’t have to get to know the whole block but if you start with just two families…let’s say the ones that may live on either side of you then that’s a great start.
This is such great advice Lisa. I admit, I hardly know any of my neighbors… which is ridiculous since I live in a townhouse community where we’re stacked in together as close as can be. I know those on either side of me and a few others. I used to know several more, but they’ve moved away. I really need to make a better effort. I think it’s easier to do when you just move in or when someone else just moves in… if you wait too long, it gets awkward.