What if Jesus’ command to love our neighbors meant loving our actual neighbors?
Not as a project, but as a lifestyle?
Here are some practical ways you can reach your neighbors.
Some info about your neighbors:
a. Names of the people who live in the houses on your block.
b. Some relevant information you have learned from speaking to each person.
c. Some in-depth information you would know after connecting with people.
Some ways you can get to know your neighbors:
1. HOST A BLOCK PARTY.
- Connect with several neighbors to host a block party.
2. GIVE A WELCOME BASKET OR GIFT.
- Get a Welcome Basket – available each week at our Neighborhood Store in the front lobby.
- Customize a gift bag for your neighbor.
- Give a welcome-to-the neighborhood gift.
3. OFFER SERVICE OR HELP.
- Cut their lawn.
- Shovel snow from their driveway or walk.
- Offer child care.
- Help with a DIY project.
- Offer your home improvement skills.
4. INVITE IN OR OUT TO EAT.
- Have a cookout or a pizza party.
- Invite them to a favorite restaurant.
5. DO A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS.
- Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood.
- Visit an elderly person.
- Run an errand for them.
- Have a free lemonade stand.
- Rake their leaves.
- Help them move in.
- Sincerely pray for your neighbors.
6. MAKE THE MOST OF HOLIDAYS.
Choose a holiday or two and give a gift, have a party, invite them to an event, or do something together.
- January – New Year’s Day, MLK Day
- February – Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day
- Mar. – St Patrick’s Day, Spring Break
- April – Good Friday, Easter
- May – May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day
- June – Flag Day, Father’s Day
- July – Independence Day
- August – Celebrate end of summer/back to school
- September – Labor Day, Patriot Day
- October – Columbus Day, Halloween
- November – Veterans Day, Thanksgiving
- December – Christmas, New Year’s Eve
7. SERVE THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
- Plan a neighborhood group service project.
- Volunteer together for a worthy cause.
8. PLAN A GATHERING OR TREK.
- Go on a neighborhood bike ride.
- Have a Popsicle meet-and-greet.
- Go Christmas caroling.
- Host an outdoor movie night.
9. REACH OUT WITH FOOD.
- Host a neighborhood ice cream social or ice cream sundae bar.
- Deliver some cookies or pie or popcorn.
- Have a pancake feed.
- Share vegetables from your garden.
10. GET CREATIVE AND UNIQUE.
- Create a list of the birthdays and anniversaries of your neighbors. Help celebrate with a gift or card.
- Watch a TV sporting event together.
- Host a fun tournament of some kind.
- Have a game night.
- Offer a photo shoot session.
- Start a neighborhood Facebook group. Engage on social media.
- Organize a book club or a Life Group for those interested.
RESOURCES:
Books are available at the Neighborhood Store in the front lobby for $10 or at Amazon. com.
Click here if you wish to give feedback about Welcome Baskets.
Optional Free Resource: Nextdoor Website
As you reflect on reaching out to your neighbors in 2016, consider this free resource at www.nextdoor.