by Terrie Porter, Assistant to Joe Maggiore
Remember back in the days of old, kids played outside until the streetlights came on and neighbors chatted with each other over the hedge? Now with a garage and remote opener, you don’t even need to step foot onto your driveway, just open the garage door and drive right in, shutting the door and the opportunity to be neighborly behind you. Making friends with your neighbors can be helpful though, especially knowing who should be in your neighborhood and who should not.
Summer holidays are a good time for a sweet front yard barbecue to mingle with neighbors! Start with an invite to the parents of your children’s neighborhood friends, invite family over as well to get the party rolling.
- Bring out the grill, add a table and a few chairs and you’re the neighborhood hero!
- Christmas holidays are also a great time to introduce yourself and share your baking with your neighbors.
- A wave and a “hello” when you go outside. As simple as that is, not many people will even look up to make eye contact these days.
- What ever happened to bringing new neighbors a plate of sweets to welcome them to the neighborhood? Fresh-baked homemade cookies are the best, but if you don’t bake or you’re worried they might think you’ve poisoned them (what is this world coming to?!) store-bought is still a friendly gesture. Muffins, too, are a great idea for the morning after the move when the new neighbors haven’t had a chance to unpack the kitchen or go grocery shopping.
- You could bring up the paper and say “hi.” It’s a more relaxed way of meeting than trying to catch someone rushing off to work or school!
Actions towards our neighbors reflect a kind nature and good will. We should all be kind and conscientious of our neighbors at home or at work.
Have fun and happy neighboring!